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Psychology > Research Methods in Psychology > Flashcards

Research Methods in Psychology Flashcards

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1
Q

Theory

A

A systematic way of organizing and explaining observations, which includes a set of propositions or statements about the relationship among various phenomena.

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2
Q

Hypothesis

A

A tentative belief about the relationship between two or more variables.

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3
Q

Variable

A

Any phenomena that can differ or vary from one situation to another or from one person to another

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4
Q

Continuous variable

A

A variable that can be places on a continuum

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5
Q

Categorical variable

A

Any variable that can be placed into categories

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6
Q

Standardized procedures

A

Expose the participants in the study to as similar procedures as possible.

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7
Q

Population

A

A larger group to whom research findings should be applicable - all the information that we are interested in

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8
Q

Sample

A

A subset of the population, ideally representative

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9
Q

Representative

A

Similar enough to other members of the population so that conclusions can be made from the sample, that are likely to be true of the population.

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10
Q

Participants (or subjects)

A

Individuals who provide informed consent to participate in a study.

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11
Q

Generalisability

A

The applicability of the findings to the entire population

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12
Q

Sampling bias

A

Sample is not representative of the population for a varied amount of reasons

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13
Q

Valid

A
  1. Employ methods that convincingly test the hypothesis. 2. Conditions must be able to be replicated outside of the lab (external validity)
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14
Q

Internal validity

A

The validity of the design itself.

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15
Q

Measure

A

A concrete way of assessing a variable - bringing an abstract concept down to earth.

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16
Q

Reliability

A

The measures ability to produce consistent results.

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17
Q

Retest reliability

A

The tendency of a test to yield relatively similar scores for the same individual over time.

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18
Q

Internal consistency

A

Several ways of asking the question yield similar results.

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19
Q

Interrater reliability

A

If two different interviewers rate an individual on the same dimension, both should give the person similar scores.

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20
Q

Validity

A

The measures ability to asses the variable it is supposed to asses.

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21
Q

Validation

A

Demonstrating that a measure consistently relates to some objective criterion or to other measures that have already demonstrated their validity.

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22
Q

Error

A

A discrepancy between that phenomena as it is measured and the phenomena as it really is.

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23
Q

Scientific approach

A

Empirical methods to gain knowledge - this is the form that the study of psychology takes.

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24
Q

Description

A

Summarizing the data is a research to make events and their relationships easy to understand.

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25
Q

Prediction

A

Using the data from research to be able to predict what will happen in the future under that same circumstances.

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26
Q

Understanding

A

Identifying why that prediction will happen

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27
Q

Experimental research

A

Manipulation of some aspect of the study (IV) to examine the impact on the way to participants respond.

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28
Q

Independent variable

A

A variable that is manipulated - outside the participants control.

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29
Q

Conditions

A

Different possible variations of the independent variable.

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30
Q

Operationalising

A

Turning an abstract concept into a concrete variable. - making it applicable to every day life.

31
Q

Control group

A

Not exposed to the experimental manipulation rather exposed to a neutral condition.

32
Q

Demand characteristics

A

The ways participants perceptions of the researchers goals influence their response.

33
Q

Blind studies

A

Participants ans sometimes researchers are kept unaware of the to important aspects of the study.

34
Q

Placebo effect

A

Believing that a treatment is effective can sometimes prove as effective as the drug itself.

35
Q

Single blind study

A

Participants are kept blind to crucial parts of the study.

36
Q

Double blind study

A

Both participants and researchers are kept blind to the crucial elements of the study.

37
Q

Confounding variable

A

Affects both the IV and the DV - producing effects that are confusing and confounding - the effects of the IV are compromised making causal conclusions impossible.

38
Q

Descriptive statistics

A

Describing findings that summarises their essential features.

39
Q

Inferential statistics

A

Drawing inference from a sample to a population as a whole.

40
Q

Quasi-experimental design

A

Share the logic of experimental design though do not exert as much control over the variables - used when the study is impractical.

41
Q

Descriptive research

A

Describe phenomena as they exist rather than manipulate variables.

42
Q

Case study

A

An in depth observation of one person or small group of individuals.

43
Q

Researcher bias (Observer bias)

A

Systematic errors in measurement related to the researcher seeing what they expect to see - related to case study method.

44
Q

Naturalistic observation

A

An in depth observation of a phenomena is its natural setting.

45
Q

Survey research

A

Asking questions of a large sample of people usually about their attitudes and behaviors.

46
Q

Interviews

A

The asking of questions to a standard format usually to a larger sample

47
Q

Questionnaires

A

Participants fill out themselves.

48
Q

Random sample

A

The arbitrary selection of a sample from a population.

49
Q

Stratified random sample

A

The random sampling of individuals from categories or strata.

50
Q

Correlational research

A

Attempts to determine the degree to which two variables are related.

51
Q

Correlate

A

The extent to which being high or low in one variable predicts being high or low in another variable.

52
Q

Correlation coefficient

A

The extent to which the variables are related

53
Q

Positive correlation

A

More of this means more of that.

54
Q

Negative correlation

A

More of this means less of that

55
Q

Correlation matrix

A

A table presenting the correlations of a number of variables.

56
Q

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

Measures electrical activity towards the surface of the brain.

57
Q

Neuroimaging techniques

A

Use computer programs to convert data taken from brain scanning devices into visual images of the brain.

58
Q

Computerized axial tomography (CT scan or CAT scan)

A

Rotates an x-ray tube around a patients head taking x-ray images that are then a computer combines those into a composite visual image.

59
Q

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A

Neuroimaging technique that produces similar results without x-ray.

60
Q

Positron emission tomography (PET)

A

Injection of small amounts of radioactive glucose that is tagged to into the bloodstream - the computer then shows the images of the areas that are tagged.

61
Q

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

A

The use of MRI whilst completing various tasks.

62
Q

Informed consent

A

Participants understand the purpose of the investigation and the nature of the treatments - including what they will be expected to do.

63
Q

Deception

A

Sometimes it is necessary to not fully explain the conditions of an experiment - Must be informed when the study is over.

64
Q

Critical thinking

A

Carefully examining and analyzing information to judge its value as well as considering other views and explanations before accepting truthfullness of that information.

65
Q

Open-mindedness

A

Considering all sides of an issue

66
Q

Objectivity

A

An impartial and disinterested approach.

67
Q

Skepticism

A

Always questioning assumptions or conclusions and analyzing whether the evidence presented supports the results.

68
Q

Straw man approach

A

Deliberately attacking another argument in order to strengthen your own.

69
Q

Appeals to popularity

A

The fallacy that a popular and widespread argument is true.

70
Q

Appeals to authority

A

The fallacy that an argument must be true given the authority of the person making it.

71
Q

Arguments directed to the person

A

Strengthening your own argument by attacking the author of another argument.

72
Q

Context of discovery

A

Phenomena are observed, hypotheses framed, theories built.

73
Q

Context of justification

A

Hypotheses are tested empirically.

Psychology (8 decks)

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