Research Methods Paper 2 Flashcards
What is the acronym used to remember the scientific principles of Pyschology?
THE PROF
What does each letter stand for in THE PROF?
Theory construction, hypothesis testing, empiricism, paradigms, replicability, objectivity, falsifiability.
What are the two types of reasoning in theory construction?
Inductive and deductive
What is inductive reasoning?
Making a specific observation, recognizing a pattern and drawing a conclusion/theory based on the specific research done.
What is deductive reasoning?
Starting with an existing theory, create a hypothesis or theory based off that, research, experiment and collect data to confirm/deny that theory.
What is empiricism?
Factual knowledge can only come from our own personal experiences. Rigorous scientific and empirical testing must be done to prove a theory.
What is the process of hypothesis testing?
1)State the hypothesis
2)Conduct experiment
3)Choose test statistics
4)Make a decision and analyze statistics
5)Draw conclusion about population
What is an aim?
A general statement of the purpose of the study/a general statement about what the researcher intends to study
What is a hypothesis?
A prediction of what the researchers will find in the research.
What is the null hypothesis?
A prediction with no significant effect or relationship between the variables.
What is a directional hypothesis?
It is one-tailed so previous research has been done before so it can be specific on the relationship between variables.
What is a non-directional hypothesis?
It is two-tailed so no previous or consistent research has been done before so the relationship between variables is more general.
What is an independent variable?
The variable being changed. (the cause)
What is a dependent variable?
The variable being measured. (the effect)
What does operationalise mean?
To clearly define the variables’ abstract terms in measurable observations.
What are covariables?
The two dependent variables in a correlation being measured.
How do you operationalize a DV?
Be specific in how to measure the variable.
How do you operationalize an IV?
State the levels/conditions.
What is a paradigms?
A set of shared assumptions and agreed methods within a shared discipline.
What is a paradigm shift?
A significant change in the dominant theory within a subject discipline due to a scientific evolution.
What is an example of a paradigm shift?
In the 1950s, a more scientific approach was brought to psychology.
What does replicability mean?
The extent to which scientific procedures and findings can be repeated by other researchers?
What makes a research replicable?
A simple standardized method, teaching your methods and a controlled environment like a lab.
Why is replicability important in pyschology?
It makes results more accurate and reliable, a more generalizable test means researchers can find out more about the specific study.
What is objectivity?
All sources of personal bias are minimized to not influence the research process. It is not open to interpretation but is instead scientific.
How is research kept objective?
-Don’t be close to the research as a psychologist and analyze the findings given.
-Use a scientific method.
What is falsifiability?
The ability to be able to have a way to prove the hypothesis to be false as well as true, in order for it to be considered scientific.
What are the four types of data?
Quantitative, qualitative, primary and secondary?
What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative data?
Quantitative is data in numbers or a numerical form whereas qualitative data is in words or a non-numerical form.
What is primary data?
First-hand data that is created specific to the researcher own personal research question.
What is secondary data?
Data that already exists found through another researcher with their personal research.
What is a strength of quantitative data?
It can be statistically analyzed and scientifically correct so is more objective.
What is a strength of qualitative data?
It provides a more in depth understanding and explores behaviors and perspectives, not just numbers so allows for more detailed insights.
What is a weakness of quantitative data?
It can lack depth and subjectivity.
What is a weakness of qualitative data?
There may be potential bias. Analysis can be time consuming. It is typically small data values which makes it less representative.
What is a strength of primary data?
More reliable and trustworthy as it is done yourself. It can be as depth as you want it to be.
What is a weakness of primary data?
It consumes time, can be high cost and may contain potential bias.
What is a strength of secondary data?
It is less time-consuming than primary data collection and is less cost.
What is a weakness of secondary data?
It can’t be as in depth as you wish it was and it may lack validity/quality. It may not relate to your research directly so may not be representative.
What is meta analysis?
Research that only contains secondary data which you can create your own hypothesis off relating to your specific study.
What is a strength and weakness of meta analysis?
It has a high number of participants so is more generalizable and it has a varied sample so is more representative.
However, it is prone to file drawer problems which is biased data. It may be inaccurate or invalid.
What is ethics?
A group of moral principles that control someones behaviour.
What is the BPS code of ethics?
A guide for pyschologists to follow ethical principles within research.
What are some ethical considerations?
Informed consent, right to withdraw, deception, debrief, protection from harm, confidentiality.
What is informed consent?
It involves having participants sign documents that describe what their involvement in a study would entail, and that they are free to decline participation or withdraw at any time. It ensures that participants understand the purpose, procedures, benefits, and risks of the study, allowing them to make an informed decision.
What is the right to withdraw?
Making sure the participants know they can leave the experiment at any time. This can be through a document.
What is confidentiality and how can we keep it?
Keeping all personal details confidential and not spreading them. It can be kept by not collecting personal details in the first place.
What is deception?
Specifically withholding informing from the participant about the conditions or levels of the experiment to mislead them about it.
What is protection of participants?
Making sure no physical harm or psychological harm is caused on participants.
What is debriefing?
Debriefing in psychology is a structured conversation that occurs after a research study or therapy session. It aims to discuss the experience, address any concerns, and ensure the well-being of participants. It is a critical part of ethical research, especially when deception is involved.
How do you write a consent form?
Tell them what will occur in the study, how long it is, confidentiality, right to withdraw, respect and that there is no pressure and a signature.
How do you write a debrief?
Thank them for participating, tell them the aim of the study, any deception, the right to withdraw their data, what the data will be used for, a directory to any websites they may need, and that any questions are to be listened to.
What does ‘population’ mean?
Total number of individuals in a specific area or defined group that are used to draw a sample from.
What is random sampling?
Each person has an equal chance of being picked in the sampling and chance picks them.
What is a strength of random sampling?
It is objective due to lack of researcher involvement and it is representative due to the laws of chance.
What is a weakness of random sampling?
It is time consuming to collect a list of all of the names of the target population.
What is a strength of systematic sampling?
The initial list is randomized which reduces bias.
What is systematic sampling?
A pre-determined system selects the participants from a target group. (every 10th out of 100)
What is a weakness of systematic sampling?
It is time consuming, participants may refuse and each person does not have an equal chance so some unrepresentativeness is possible if initial list is not randomized.
What is stratified sampling?
People are grouped into sub groups based off certain characteristics to divide them up. Then, randomly select among each sub-group.
What is a strength of stratified sampling?
It is most likely to lead to a representative sample as it reflects the population.
What is a weakness of stratified sampling?
It is time consuming and strata can’t reflect all ways participants are different.
What is opportunity sampling?
Participants are chosen based on their availability and proximity to the researcher and people are asked to participants.
What is a strength of opportunity sampling?
It is a quick and convenient method so it reduces time and cost.
What is a weakness of opportunity sampling?
It is unrepresentative as it is subject to potential bias as researchers are in control of selection.
What is volunteer sampling?
People volunteer to take part in the study which may be done through advertising or word of mouth.
What is a strength of volunteer sampling?
Convenient as minimal input is needed from researcher and less attrition/people dropping out as they have interest in it themselves.
What is a weakness of volunteer sampling?
Not enough people may volunteer or there may be volunteer bias as there is a certain profile of character- they may be subject to demand characteristics.
What is a pilot study and what is the purpose of it?
A pilot study is a small-scale preliminary study and it’s purpose is to evaluate the duration, cost, feasibility and any issues before the study.
What are extraneous variables?
A variable that is not being investigated but can affect the outcome of the study (such as time or stress).
What is a confounding variable?
It affects the relationship between the independent and dependent variable but is not included in the experiment.
What are participant variables?
Individual characteristics of participants that may affect the outcome/results. (mood,anxiety,age,intelligence)
What is participant reactivity?
Participants alter their performance or behavior due to the fact they are being observed.
What are demand characteristics?
Participants form an interpretation of the experiments purpose and subconsciously change their behavior to fit it.
What is social desirability bias?
Participants give untrue answers to appear good to others.