Scientific Research & Ethics

Question 1

Empiricism

Answer 1

States that the only source of knowledge is our senses – e.g., sight, hearing, etc; in philosophy, the belief that knowledge is derived from observable, measurable experiences and evidence, rather than from intuition or speculation

Question 2

Rationalism

Answer 2

Says that knowledge can be gained solely through the powers of reason and logical argument

Question 3

Features of science

Answer 3

empirical evidence, objectivity, control, hypothesis testing, replication, and predictability

Question 4

Humanism

Answer 4

A psychological perspective that emphasizes the study of the whole person

Question 5

Humanistic Approach

Answer 5

Argues that objective reality is less important than a person’s subjective perception and subjective understanding of the world

Question 6

Paradigm

Answer 6

The particular viewpoint that a scientist has

Question 7

Hypotheses

Answer 7

Proposed explanations for a fairly narrow set of phenomena

Question 8

Theories

Answer 8

Broad explanations for a wide range of phenomena (often integrate and generalize many hypotheses)

Question 9

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 9

A researcher unobtrusively collects information without the participant’s awareness

Question 10

Structured Observation

Answer 10

Researchers can set up a situation and observe that participant’s behavior

Question 11

Self-Report Method

Answer 11

Participants are asked to provide information or responses to questions on a survey or structure assessment

Question 12

Psychophysiological Method

Answer 12

Using technological devices to measure what is taking place in the body

Question 13

Archival Method

Answer 13

Examining data that has already been collected for other purposes

Question 14

Longitudinal Study

Answer 14

Recruits a sample of subjects and tracks them for an extended period of time

Question 15

Cross-Sectional Study

Answer 15

Gathers participants of different ages and looks for differences between the groups

Question 16

Case Studies

Answer 16

Research can conduct a detailed analysis of a particular person, group, business, event, etc. We tend to use this approach to learn more about especially interesting or rare examples with the goal of describing that particular thing.

Question 17

Correlational Designs

Answer 17

Two different variables are measured to determine whether there is a relationship between them (Measuring variables only)

Question 18

Controlled Experiments

Answer 18

Researchers create a controlled environment in which they can carefully manipulate at least one variable to test its effect on another (Allowed to change variables)

Question 19

Operationalization

Answer 19

The process of strictly defining variables into measurable factors (being specific basically; defines the exact measuring method used, and allows other scientists to follow exactly the same methodology)

Question 20

Placebo Effect

Answer 20

Experiencing what you expect to happen rather than what’s really happening

Question 21

Rosenthal Effect / Pygmalion Effect / Researcher Bias

Answer 21

A researcher’s own expectations of what the results will be could subconsciously influence the way that participants are treated (acting slightly more friendly) or how things are measured (grading essays)

Question 22

Demand Characteristics

Answer 22

If participants are aware of the purpose of the study, their behavior may change (Different from placebo because it isn’t based off of the participants’ own expectations)

Question 23

Social Desirability

Answer 23

Some things are difficult to measure, like prejudice, sexual behavior, and addiction, because people are often reluctant to talk honestly in fear of negative social judgments. Instead, they may offer what they believe are socially desirable responses or behavior.

Question 24

Between-Subjects Experimental Designs

Answer 24

Have different groups of participants (using random assignment) who experience different “levels” of the independent variable

Question 25

Within-Subjects Designs

Answer 25

Have participants experience both levels of the independent variable and measure the dependent variable twice. To rule out the possibility that order effects are biasing the results, we have to counterbalance the order using random assignment.

Question 26

Principles for ethical research

Answer 26

Voluntary participation, informed consent, risk of harm, confidentiality & anonymity

Question 27

Institutional Review Board

Answer 27

A panel of persons who reviews grant proposals with respect to ethical implications and decides whether additional actions need to be taken to assure the safety and rights of participants

Question 28

Conceptual Replication

Answer 28

A study that tests the same hypothesis but with different operationalizations (“Pets make you happy”, test using dogs or no dogs, replicate using cats)

Question 29

Direct Replication

Answer 29

Another researcher doing the exact same method that I used to test my hypothesis (“Pets make you happy”, test using dogs or no dogs, replicate using dogs)