Research Methods & Introduction to Psychology Flashcards

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1
Q

Psychology

A

The scientific study of human thoughts, feelings and behaviour

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2
Q

The Scientific Method

A
  1. Identify the topic
  2. Formulate a research hypothesis
  3. Design the research
  4. Collect the data
  5. Analyse the data
  6. Interpret and evaluate the results
  7. Report the research and findings
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3
Q

Biopsychosocial Approach

A

Suggests that biological, psychological and social factors interact to cause and influence human behaviour and mental processes

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4
Q

Pseudoscience

A

Any non scientific approach to studying human behaviour that may produce biased or unreliable results

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5
Q

Phrenology

A

Explores the relationship between the skulls surface features and an individual’s personality characteristics

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6
Q

Barnum Effect

A

The notion that people are more likely to believe statements about themselves when they are positive, vague and general, even when there is no particular reason to do so

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7
Q

Empirical Evidence

A

Data collected through systematic observations and or carefully constructed observations

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8
Q

Population

A

Refers to the entire group of research interest and to which the researcher will wish to apply/generalise their research findings

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9
Q

Sample

A

Is the research participants who were selected from the larger population

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10
Q

Experiment

A

Used to test a cause and effect relationship between two particular variables

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11
Q

Variable

A

Something that can change/ vary and is measurable

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12
Q

Independent Variable

A

Variable that is changed or manipulated by the researcher to see whether it affects another variable

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13
Q

Dependent Variable

A

The variable that is used to measure the effects of the IV

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14
Q

Hypothesis Template

A

It is hypothesised that those who (exposed to the IV) will (directional impact on the DV) in comparison to those who have not (exposed to the IV)

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15
Q

Extraneous Variables

A

Are any variables other than the IV that can cause an unwanted change in the DV. They are identified prior to the research and are controlled in the research design.

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16
Q

Confounding Variables

A

Any variable other than the IV that may have an unwanted effect on the DV or that can be confused with that of the IV

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17
Q

Confounding and Extraneous Variables:

A
Placebo Effect
Order Effect
Non-standardised Instructions and Procedures
Individual Differences
Experimenter Effect
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18
Q

Placebo Effect

A

When a participants’ response is changed by their belief or expectation that they are receiving some kind of treatment, as opposed to change caused by the actual treatment

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19
Q

Order Effect

A

Occurs when performance is influenced by the specific order in which the experimental tasks are presented rather than the IV

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20
Q

Non-standardised instructions and procedures

A

If certain groups are given different instructions from the researcher, this can have an unwanted impact on the DV. Even small variations in procedures can impact the results.

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21
Q

Individual Differences

A

Any differences between the participants that you are studying (other than the IV) that impact the DV

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22
Q

Experimenter Effect

A

Any of a number of subtle cues or singals from an experimenter that affect the performance or response of subjects in the experiment

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23
Q

Hawthorne Effect

A

An increase in worker productivity produced by the psychological stimulus of being singled out and made to feel important

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24
Q

Law of Large Numbers

A

The greater the sample size, the greater the change that the attributes of the sample are representative of the population

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25
Q

Sampling/ Participant Selection

A

Random Sampling
Stratified Sampling
Convenience Sampling

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26
Q

Random Sampling

A

Ensures that every member of the population of research interest has an equal chance of being selected to be part of the sample

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27
Q

Stratified Sampling

A

Dividing the population into different sub groups (strata) and selecting a separate sample from each stratum in the same proportions that they appear in the population

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28
Q

Convenience Sampling

A

Selecting participants who are readily available without any attempt to make the sample representative of the population

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29
Q

Random Allocation

A

Every participant has an equal chance of being selected for any of the groups used

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30
Q

Counterbalancing

A

Used to minimise/ balance out order and practice effects. Involves systematically changing the order of treatments for participants in a balanced way to counter the unwanted effects order effects

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31
Q

Reducing Extraneous Variables

A

Single Blind Procedures
Double Blind Procedures
Placebo

32
Q

Single Blind Procedures

A

Participants are unaware of whether they are in the experimental or control condition

33
Q

Double Blind Procedures

A

Both the participants and researchers dealing directly with the participants are unaware of the experimental conditions

34
Q

Placebo

A

A fake treatment given to the control groups so that they form the same expectancies as those in the experimental group

35
Q

Experimental Research Designs

A

Independent Groups Design
Repeated Measures Design
Matched Participants Design

36
Q

Independent Groups Design

A

Participants are randomly allocated to one of two or more entirely separate groups

37
Q

Repeated Measures Design

A

The same participants are in both the control and the experimental group

38
Q

Matched Participants Design

A

Participant in one condition matches a participant in another condition(s) on one or more participant variables of interest

39
Q

Non Experimental Research Designs

A
Cross-Sectional Study
Case Studies
Observational Studies
Self Reports
Questionaires
Interviews
Rating Scales
40
Q

Cross-sectional Study

A

Selects and compares groups of participants on one or more personal variables of interest at a single point in time

41
Q

Cohort Effect

A

When researchers measure characteristics of people who were born at significantly different times, there may be differences in behaviour due to the cohort effect rather than chronological age differences

42
Q

Case studies

A

An intensive, in-depth investigation of some phenomena of interest in an individual, group, organisation or situation

43
Q

Observational Studies

A

Collection of data by carefully watching and recording behaviour as it occurs

44
Q

Self Reports

A

Participants’ written or spoken responses to questions, statements or instructions presented by a researcher

45
Q

Questionaires

A

A set of written questions designed to draw out information from people on a topic of research interest

46
Q

Interviews

A

Involve questions that are asked by the researcher with the aim of obtaining self-report information on a topic of research interest

47
Q

Structured Interviews

A

Participant is asked specific pre-determined questions in a controlled manner. Interviewer follows a script whilst reading questions in a neutral manner with no comments or cues

48
Q

Unstructured Interviews

A

Freedom of discussion and interaction between interviewer and participant. Researcher asks a series of open ended questions and new questions are developed as the interview progresses

49
Q

Rating Scales

A

Uses fixed-response questions or statements for which participants rank or rate each item by selecting from a number of options. Responses are assigned numerical values to make the data quantified.

50
Q

Types of Data

A

Primary Data
Secondary Data
Quantitative Data
Qualitative Data

51
Q

Primary Data

A

Data collected directly by the researcher or through others to commonly test a hypothesis

52
Q

Secondary Data

A

Data that has been collected by someone other than the researcher

53
Q

Quantitative Data

A

Numerical information on the quantity or amount of what is being studied

54
Q

Qualitative Data

A

Commonly in the form of description, words, meanings or pictures

55
Q

Holistic Approach

A

Psychology studies often use both quantitative and qualitative data in order to obtain a rich source of information that can be optimally generalised to the population

56
Q

Descriptive Statistics

A

Employed to analyse, organise, summarise and present results

57
Q

Inferential Statistics

A

Used for interpreting and giving meaning to results. They allow us to determine whether the hypothesis is supported. Involves judgement about the data

58
Q

Conclusion

A

A decision about the results obtained from a research study mean

59
Q

Generalisation

A

A decision about how widely the findings of a research study can be applied, particularly to other members of a target population

60
Q

P Value

A

P<0.05 - results obtained between IV and DV = less than 5% chance that they were obtained by chance therefore statistically significant

61
Q

Validity

A

Refers to the extent to which procedures used for a research study measures what it intended to measure

62
Q

Internal Validity

A

Refers to the extent to which the results obtained for a study are actually due to the variable(s) that was tested or measured and not some other factor (extraneous variables)

63
Q

External Validity

A

Refers to the extent to which the results obtained for a study can be generalised to the target population

64
Q

Reliability

A

Refers to the extent which results obtained from research are consistent, dependent and stable

65
Q

Reliable and Valid Relationship

A

A measure can be reliable even though it is not valid, but a measure cannot be valid if it is not reliable

66
Q

Ethics

A

Refer to the standards that guide individuals to identify good, desirable and acceptable conduct

67
Q

Values of Ethical Standards

A

Research Merit and Integrity
Beneficence
Justice
Respect for Human Beings

68
Q

Participant Rights

A
Confidentiality
Voluntary Participation
Withdrawal Rights
Informed Consent
Deception in Research
Debriefing
Professional Conduct
69
Q

Confidentiality

A

Participants have a right to privacy. They should not be identified in publications of the research

70
Q

Voluntary Participation

A

The participant must not be coerced to participate in the experiment

71
Q

Withdrawal Rights

A

The participant has the right to withdraw from the experiment at any time

72
Q

Informed Consent

A

Participants must be appropriately informed of the research. For minors, this means having the informed consent of the legal guardian.

73
Q

Deception in Research

A

When deception is necessary, the participant must be fully debriefed at the conclusion of research . The researcher is obliged to ensure no harm comes to the participant as a result of the deception

74
Q

Debriefing

A

Participants must be fully debriefed at the conclusion of the research. This includes being informed of the purpose of the research and correct any mistaken attitudes or beliefs about the research

75
Q

Professional Conduct

A

The researcher must act in a professional manner. They must follow ethical guidelines of the APS>