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IB Psychology > Unit 2 - Research Methodology > Flashcards

Unit 2 - Research Methodology Flashcards

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1
Q

Quantitative Research

A

deals in numbers, logic, data, and an objective stance

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2
Q

Nomothetic Research

A

a macro-centric study personality that classifies people into groups based on what personality traits they have

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3
Q

Variables

A

things that can be changed or altered, such as a characteristic or value

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4
Q

Operationalized

A

defining measurement of a phenomenon which is not directly measurable

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5
Q

Constructs

A

a tool used to facilitate understanding human behavior or a concept

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6
Q

Operationalizations

A

abstract concepts – measurable observations

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7
Q

Experimental Studies

A

research that uses objectively measurable data

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8
Q

Independent Variable

A

variable manipulated by research

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9
Q

Dependent Variable

A

variable expected to change as the independent variable changes

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10
Q

Cause-and-effect Inferences

A

the process of determining the independent variable, actual effect of a particular phenomenon that is a component of a larger system

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11
Q

Correlational Studies

A

the researcher does not manipulate any variables (there is no IV or DV)

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12
Q

Descriptive Studies

A

relationships between variables are not investigated and the variables are approached separately

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13
Q

Qualitative Research

A

makes use of such data collection methods as interviews or observations

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14
Q

Idiographic Approach

A

approach to research that focuses on understanding the unique experiences of individuals specific cases

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15
Q

Sample

A

a small portion of individual cases selected from a greater population

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16
Q

Sampling

A

the process of finding and recruiting individuals for an experiment

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17
Q

Credibility

A

degree in which the results can be trusted to reflect reality

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18
Q

Bias

A

tendency to respond or feel a certain way towards someone/something based on previous knowledge/opinion

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19
Q

Generalizability

A

the degree to which you can apply the results of your study to a broader context

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20
Q

Confounding Variables

A

contribute to bias in an experiment – must be controlled either by eliminating or keeping constant in all groups

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21
Q

Target Population

A

the entire population that the researchers are interested in researching and analyzing

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22
Q

Representativeness

A

the degree to which a smaller group represents a larger group

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23
Q

Participant Characteristics

A

the demographic and relevant personal attributes of individuals taking part in a study (race, gender, age, etc)

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23
Q

Random Sampling

A

every member of the target population has an equal chance of becoming part of the sample

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24
Q

Stratified Sampling

A

the division of a population into smaller subgroups known as strata

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25
Q

Convenience Sampling

A

participants that are more easily available

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26
Q

Self-Selected Sampling

A

recruiting volunteers

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27
Q

Independent Measures Design

A

random allocation of participants into groups and a comparison between these groups

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28
Q

Matched Pairs Designs

A

each subject is matched with another subject with similar variables/qualities

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29
Q

Matching Variable

A

the controlled variable when using the matched pairs design

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30
Q

Repeated Measures Design

A

useful when trying to compare conditions instead of participants

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31
Q

Order Effects

A

results may differ depending on which conditions come first

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32
Q

Counterbalancing

A

using other groups of participants where the order of the conditions is reversed

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33
Q

Participant Variability

A

differences between the groups before the experiment starts

34
Q

Construct Validity

A

the extent to which your test or measure accurately assesses what its supposed to

35
Q

Internal Validity

A

the extent to which a research study establishes a trustworthy cause-and-effect relationship

36
Q

Population Validity (External Validity)

A

the extent to which findings can be generalized from the sample to the target population

37
Q

Ecological Validity (External Validity)

A

the extent to which findings can be generalized form the experiment to other settings or situations

38
Q

Selection

A

when some groups are not equivalent at the start of the experiment

39
Q

History

A

outside events that happen to participants in the course of the experiment (aka distractions)

40
Q

Maturation

A

throughout the experiment, participants go through natural developmental processes, such as fatigue and growth

41
Q

Testing Effect

A

the first measurement of the DV may affect the second measurement

42
Q

Instrumentation

A

when the instrument measuring the DV changes slightly between measurements (ex. the observer gets tired and loses focus)

43
Q

Regression to the Mean

A

how variables much higher or lower than the mean are often much closer to the mean when measured a second time

44
Q

Experimental Mortality

A

the fact that some participants drop out during an experiment, which may become a problem if dropouts are not random

45
Q

Demand Characteristics

A

when participants understand the purpose of the experiment and change their behavior subconsciously to fit their interpretation of the “right” answer

46
Q

Experimenter Bias

A

to situations in which the researcher unintentionally exerts an influence on the results of the study

47
Q

Quasi-Experiments

A

studies that aim to evaluate interventions but that do not use randomization

48
Q

Field Experiments

A

experiments conducted in a real-life setting

49
Q

Piliavin, Rodin and Piliavin’s Study

A

the researchers pretended to collapse on a subway train and observe if other passengers would help (sometimes they had canes, others alcohol)

50
Q

Natural Experiments

A

conducted in participants natural environment – the researcher has zero control over the IV

51
Q

Correlation

A

a measure of linear relationship between two variables

52
Q

Effect Size

A

the absolute value of the correlation coefficient

53
Q

Cohen (1988)

A

widely accepted guidelines based on his suggestions to interpret the effect size correlations in social sciences

54
Q

Statistical Significance

A

shows the likelihood that a correlation of this size has been obtained by chance

55
Q

“The Third Variable Problem”

A

there is always a possibility that a third variable exists that correlates both X and Y

56
Q

Curvilinear Relationships

A

sometimes variables are linked non-linearly

57
Q

Spurious Correlations

A

when a researcher study involves calculating multiple correlations between multiple variables, there is a possibility that some of the correlations are the result of random chance

58
Q

Trustworthiness

A

also used to denote credibility in qualitative research

59
Q

Triangulation

A

a combination of different approaches to collecting and interpreting data

60
Q

Establishing a Rapport

A

researchers should ensure that participants are being honest

61
Q

Iterative Questioning

A

the researcher returns to matters previously raised by the informant and extracts data through rephrased questions

62
Q

Reflexivity

A

researchers should reflect on the possibility that their own bias might have interfered with the observations or interpretations

63
Q

Epistemological Reflexivity

A

reflecting on the assumptions and knowledge claims made in the study

64
Q

Credibility Checks

A

checking accuracy of data by asking participants to read over the researchers observations and confirm the transcript represents what they meant

65
Q

Thick Descriptions

A

describing a phenomenon in sufficient detail so that it can be understood holistically and in context

66
Q

Laboratory vs. Naturalistic Observation

A

Laboratory –> observed in a lab/controlled environment
naturalistic –> observed in an untampered environment

67
Q

Overt Observation

A

when participants are aware of the fact that they are being observed

68
Q

Covert Observation

A

the researcher does not inform the members of the study about the reasons for their presence (they’re unaware of their observation)

69
Q

Participant Observation

A

the observer becomes part of the observed group

70
Q

Structured Observation

A

recorded systematically and in a standardized way

71
Q

Unstructured Observation

A

does not have a pre-defined structure and observers simply register whatever behaviors they deem important

72
Q

Interview Transcript

A

interview data that is in the form of an audio recording or video

73
Q

Interview Notes

A

accompanying observations about the participants and the interview content

74
Q

Structured Interviews

A

a fixed list of questions that need to be asked in a fixed order

75
Q

Semi-Structured Interviews

A

do not specify an order or a particular set of questions

76
Q

Unstructured Interviews

A

mostly participant-driven and follow-up questions

77
Q

Focus Group

A

a research method used to solicit feedback from a small group of people on a specific topic

78
Q

Inductive Content Analysis

A

the researcher identifies themes and concepts from data without preconceived categories or theories

79
Q

Inductive Reasoning

A

specific to general conclusions

80
Q

Deductive Reasoning

A

general to specific conclusions

81
Q

Memos

A

notes that explain to the reader of the study how and why certain analysis decisions were made

82
Q

Grounded Theory

A

when a theory emerges from the data (comes from empirical data opposed to prior beliefs)

83
Q

Case Study

A

A case study is an in-depth study of one person, group, or event

IB Psychology (2 decks)

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