Unit 1: Introduction to Research in Psychology

Question 1

What are the key characteristics of the scientific approach?

Answer 1

1. Systematic empiricism
2. Exploration of empirical questions
3. Creates public knowledge

Question 2

Systematic empiricism

Answer 2

Learning based on systematic observations of the natural world through careful planning, making, recording and analyzing these observations

Question 3

Empirical questions

Answer 3

Questions about how the world actually is; can be answered through systematic observations.

Does not include questions about values or how the world ought to be; such as if something is good or bad, beautiful or ugly.

Question 4

Public knowledge - the role it plays in the scientific approach

Answer 4

Researchers publish their findings for the public to read, interpret, and question. Publication is a key characteristic of the scientific approach because:

1. Science is a social process, a collaboration of researchers from across disciplines and time
2. It allows science to be self-correcting; other researchers to identify flaws and suggest improvements

Question 5

Pseudoscience

Answer 5

1. Is presented as science by it’s proponents, and appears scientific on the surface
2. Is not science, because it does not have at least 1 of the 3 characteristics of science

Question 6

Model of Scientific Research in Psychology

Answer 6

Cyclical in nature, flows from:
Research question to
Empirical study to
Data analysis to
Conclusions to
Research literature

Most research questions are inspired and/or refined by research literature

Question 7

Basic research

Answer 7

Aims to provide better understanding of human behaviour, without trying to solve a specific problem

Research for its own sake

Question 8

Applied research

Answer 8

Aims to solve a specific problem applicable to the practical world

Question 9

Folk psychology

Answer 9

Beliefs about people’s behaviour, thoughts and feelings, based on intuition or common sense

Often is inaccurate

Question 10

Confirmation bias

Answer 10

The bias where people tend to focus on examples that confirm intuitive beliefs, while disregarding examples that disconfirm them

Question 11

Skepticism

Answer 11

Considering alternative explanations and searching for empirical evidence before accepting a claim to be true

Question 12

Tolerance for uncertainty

Answer 12

Acceptance that there are many things we cannot know due to lack of empirical evidence

Question 13

Clinical practice of psychology

Answer 13

Diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and related problems

Can include clinical, counselling, and school psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and clinical social workers

Question 14

Empirically supported treatments

Answer 14

Studies show the treatment has greater results than no treatment, placebo, or an alternative treatment

Includes CBT, exposure, behavioural, and family therapies

Question 15

Variable

Answer 15

A quantity or quality that varies across people or situations

Question 16

Quantitative variable

Answer 16

A quantity measured by a number, such as height

Question 17

Categorical variable

Answer 17

A variable measured by assigning a category, such as nationality or occupation

Question 18

Operational definition

Answer 18

A definition about how a variable is to be specifically measured

Question 19

Statistical relationship

Answer 19

The relationship between two variables such that the average scores of one differs systematically compared to the other

Question 20

Differences between groups

Answer 20

Described by mean score and standard deviation for each group

Can be presented in a bar graph

Question 21

Correlations between quantitative variables

Answer 21

Average score of one variable differs systematically across the levels of the other

Often measured by statistic called Pearson’s r (only good for measuring linear relationships, not for curved lines)

Question 22

Independent variable

Answer 22

The variable the experimenter manipulates or changes

In causal relationships, the variable that is thought to be the cause

Often referred to as X

Question 23

Dependent variable

Answer 23

The variable being tested and measured in an experiment, and is ‘dependent’ on the independent variable

In causal relationships, the variable that is thought to be the effect

Often referred to as Y

Question 24

2 reasons correlation doesn’t imply causation

Answer 24

1. Directionality problem: does X cause Y, or does Y cause X?
2. Third-variable problem: does correlation exist due to an unknown 3rd variable?

Question 25

How to evaluate research questions

Answer 25

1. Interestingness: Does the question seek to answer something that is currently in doubt? Fills a gap in research literature? Has a practical application?
2. Feasibility: Can the question be successfully answered? Logistics, technical knowledge, access to research equipment and relevant participants

Question 26

TCPS 2

Answer 26

Tri-Council Policy Statement of Ethical Conduct

Question 27

Core principles of TCPS 2

Answer 27

1. Respect for Persons: respecting autonomy of participants via free, informed, and ongoing consent, while protecting those incapable of exercising autonomy (ie. youth, cognitively impaired, mentally ill)
2. Concern for Welfare: Ensuring participants are not exposed to unnecessary risks, privacy and confidentiality is maintained, and can assess risks and potential benefits
3. Justice: Obligation to treat people fairly, equitably (considering vulnerability of participants), ensuring historically marginalized groups are not unjustly excluded

Question 28

4 Approaches to Knowledge

Answer 28

1. Common sense; sometimes is supported by research, sometimes isn’t. Usually isn’t precise or consistent.
2. Appeal to authority; doctors, lawyers, politicians, scientists. Can be wrong or intentionally misleading.
3. Personal insight or faith; if your experience differs from another, can’t determine whose belief is correct. Difficult to verify independently.
4. Scientific method; external validation is tested through replication of experiments