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Psychology 1/2 > Research Methods & Introduction to Psychology > Flashcards

Research Methods & Introduction to Psychology Flashcards

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
Sampling/ Participant Selection
Random Sampling Stratified Sampling Convenience Sampling
26
Random Sampling
Ensures that every member of the population of research interest has an equal chance of being selected to be part of the sample
27
Stratified Sampling
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
28
Convenience Sampling
Selecting participants who are readily available without any attempt to make the sample representative of the population
29
Random Allocation
Every participant has an equal chance of being selected for any of the groups used
30
Counterbalancing
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
31
Reducing Extraneous Variables
Single Blind Procedures Double Blind Procedures Placebo
32
Single Blind Procedures
Participants are unaware of whether they are in the experimental or control condition
33
Double Blind Procedures
Both the participants and researchers dealing directly with the participants are unaware of the experimental conditions
34
Placebo
A fake treatment given to the control groups so that they form the same expectancies as those in the experimental group
35
Experimental Research Designs
Independent Groups Design Repeated Measures Design Matched Participants Design
36
Independent Groups Design
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two or more entirely separate groups
37
Repeated Measures Design
The same participants are in both the control and the experimental group
38
Matched Participants Design
Participant in one condition matches a participant in another condition(s) on one or more participant variables of interest
39
Non Experimental Research Designs
``` Cross-Sectional Study Case Studies Observational Studies Self Reports Questionaires Interviews Rating Scales ```
40
Cross-sectional Study
Selects and compares groups of participants on one or more personal variables of interest at a single point in time
41
Cohort Effect
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
Case studies
An intensive, in-depth investigation of some phenomena of interest in an individual, group, organisation or situation
43
Observational Studies
Collection of data by carefully watching and recording behaviour as it occurs
44
Self Reports
Participants' written or spoken responses to questions, statements or instructions presented by a researcher
45
Questionaires
A set of written questions designed to draw out information from people on a topic of research interest
46
Interviews
Involve questions that are asked by the researcher with the aim of obtaining self-report information on a topic of research interest
47
Structured Interviews
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
Unstructured Interviews
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
Rating Scales
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
Types of Data
Primary Data Secondary Data Quantitative Data Qualitative Data
51
Primary Data
Data collected directly by the researcher or through others to commonly test a hypothesis
52
Secondary Data
Data that has been collected by someone other than the researcher
53
Quantitative Data
Numerical information on the quantity or amount of what is being studied
54
Qualitative Data
Commonly in the form of description, words, meanings or pictures
55
Holistic Approach
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
Descriptive Statistics
Employed to analyse, organise, summarise and present results
57
Inferential Statistics
Used for interpreting and giving meaning to results. They allow us to determine whether the hypothesis is supported. Involves judgement about the data
58
Conclusion
A decision about the results obtained from a research study mean
59
Generalisation
A decision about how widely the findings of a research study can be applied, particularly to other members of a target population
60
P Value
P<0.05 - results obtained between IV and DV = less than 5% chance that they were obtained by chance therefore statistically significant
61
Validity
Refers to the extent to which procedures used for a research study measures what it intended to measure
62
Internal Validity
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
External Validity
Refers to the extent to which the results obtained for a study can be generalised to the target population
64
Reliability
Refers to the extent which results obtained from research are consistent, dependent and stable
65
Reliable and Valid Relationship
A measure can be reliable even though it is not valid, but a measure cannot be valid if it is not reliable
66
Ethics
Refer to the standards that guide individuals to identify good, desirable and acceptable conduct
67
Values of Ethical Standards
Research Merit and Integrity Beneficence Justice Respect for Human Beings
68
Participant Rights
``` Confidentiality Voluntary Participation Withdrawal Rights Informed Consent Deception in Research Debriefing Professional Conduct ```
69
Confidentiality
Participants have a right to privacy. They should not be identified in publications of the research
70
Voluntary Participation
The participant must not be coerced to participate in the experiment
71
Withdrawal Rights
The participant has the right to withdraw from the experiment at any time
72
Informed Consent
Participants must be appropriately informed of the research. For minors, this means having the informed consent of the legal guardian.
73
Deception in Research
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
Debriefing
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
Professional Conduct
The researcher must act in a professional manner. They must follow ethical guidelines of the APS>

Psychology 1/2 (5 decks)

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