Unit 1 Flashcards
What are the four research methods?
Descriptive
Correlational
Experimental
Non-experimental/quasi-experimental
Descriptive
- tells facts
- identifies problems
- describe the behavior/thoughts or feelings of a particular group
What research method?
- prevalence of texting while driving
- frequency of binge drinking
- levels of financial knowledge
Descriptive
Correlational
-a statistical measure of how closely two variables are associated; make predictions based on relationships.
-does not show cause and effect
-does not show nature of the relationship
-Measures (not manipulates) two variables to determine if a relationship is present, but does not provide an explanation
–does not demonstrate a cause & effect relationship
Experimental
A research method in which the investigator varies some factors (IV) , keeps others constant, and measures the effects (DV) on randomly assigned subjects
What research method?
Level of aggression in relation to exposure to violent video games.
Correlational
What research method?
Texting during a simulated driving test.
Experimental
non-equivalent groups
researcher compares two groups but cannot determine who goes into what group (male and female)
pre-test/post-test
individuals are measured at two points of time, but the researcher cannot control the influence of the passage of time.
A broad explanation of why something occurred. It attempts to explain interrelationships between a set of concepts.
Theory
A testable explanation. Usually and If/then statement. Created from induction.
Hypothesis
Construct
An abstract term that cannot be measured.
ex: hunger, anxiety
operational definitions
defines a research variables in terms of the procedures needed to control and measure it
methodological pluralism
measurements should be taken in multiple ways multiple ways multiple places for more accuracy
Strategy of Strong Inference
set up two experiments with competing theories so that only one can be supported
