Research Methods Midterm Ch. 1 Flashcards
Empiricism
Based on systematic collection and analysis of information collected through formal observation or measurement (i.e., data.)
Problems with Everyday Science
Unsystematic Biased Unrecognized Self-serving Confirmation bias (seeking confirmation evidence instead of disconfirming evidence). Heuristic Efficient Self-preservation
Scientific Method
- Observe and describe a phenomenon
- Formulate a hypothesis to explain the phenomena.
- Use hypothesis to devise testable prediction.
Operational definition
If A, then B. - Test prediction
- Report results
- Replicate
SG: How does empirical behavioral research differ from “everyday science” and why do these methods (e.g., operationalization, systematic observation) yield more objective representations of relationships among variables?
Blank.
SG: What are the goals, advantages and disadvantages of descriptive research designs?
Descriptive research designs:
Goals:
To answer questions about current state of affairs.
Advantages:
Attempts to capture the complexity of everyday behavior.
Disadvantages:
Tells us the problem exists but not why it exists.
Basic Versus Applied Research
Basic Research: Seeks knowledge for the sake of knowledge
Applied research: Seeks to solve practical problems
Basic Versus Applied Research
Basic Research: Seeks knowledge for the sake of knowledge
Applied research: Seeks to solve practical problems
These two inform each other.
Program evaluation research
Training programs, afterschool programs, etc., that are used to make positive changes.
3 Types of Research Designs
Descriptive: Provides a snapshot of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors at a given time and place. Uses surveys and naturalistic observations. Correlational: Seeking relationships among variables. Experimental: Understanding the causes of behavior.
3 Types of Research Designs
Descriptive:
Provides a snapshot of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors at a given time and place. Uses surveys, interviews, and naturalistic observations.
Correlational:
Seeking relationships among variables.
Experimental:
Understanding the causes of behavior. Experimenting on two or more groups (one control) followed by measurement of outcome variable. Groups must be equivalent in relevant ways besides manipulation.
Qualitative versus quantitative research
Descriptive in understanding things and descriptive in number.
Variable
Any observation that can take on different values. An attribute is a specific value on a variable.
Age is variable and 18 is attribute.
Correlational vs. causal relationships
Correlational: Variables perform in a synchronized manner.
Causal:
One variable causes the other.
Correlation does not imply causation.
Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient
Pearson’s r.
Ranges from -1.00 to +1.00.
Positive values are positive correlations (people above average on one variable are above average on the other).
Negative values are negative correlations (People who are above average on one variable are below average on the other)
-Farther from zero is stronger relationships, closer to zero is weaker realtionships.
SG: What are the goals, advantages and disadvantages of correlational research designs?
Goals:
Demonstrating relationships among variables and making predictions about future events.
Advantages:
Can help assess behavior as it is everyday science.
Disadvantages:
Not causal
