Units 1-6

Question 1

research paradigms

Answer 1

Ontology, epistemology and methodology are contained in paradigms. There are two main paradigms, which are known as ‘scientific’, or ‘naturalistic’, or ‘positivism’ or ‘anti-positivism’.

Question 2

research methodology

Answer 2

informed by ontological and epistemological concepts. Methodologies enable appropriate research design, instruct researchers where to focus their research activity, and where to extract knowledge.

Question 3

what are some steps of a research process?

Answer 3

choice of topic
choice of methodology
methodological construction of the topic
sampling
data collection
data analysis and interpretation
reporting

Question 4

ontological

Answer 4

ontology considers whether there are single or multiple realities, of which there are two prevailing types: ‘constructionism’ and ‘realism’. The philosophical study of ‘being’, ‘existence’ and ‘reality’- this asks ‘what is the nature of reality’? is it objective or subjective?

Question 5

epistemological

Answer 5

epistemology focuses on knowledge and informs methodologies about the nature of the knowledge, such as where this should be sought and what counts as facts. The philosophical understanding of knowledge- this asks ‘what and how can I know reality and knowledge’?

Question 6

Positivist Paradigm

Answer 6

adopts an ontology that suggests there is a single ‘reality’ and an empiricist epistemology, which guides quantitative methodology as it is objective and attempts to test a theory.

Question 7

Anti-Positivist Paradigm

Answer 7

suggests there is no single reality, as reality is constructed differently for each individual person (constructivism) and therefore has to be interpreted (epistemology), which makes it subjective; this guides qualitative methodology.

Question 8

Sampling

Answer 8

Where and when will the research take place, who will be the participants?
explored more in unit 3

Question 9

Data Collection

Answer 9

focuses on how data will be collected (method).
explored more in unit 6

Question 10

inductive vs. deductive reasoning

Answer 10

inductive reasoning involves starting from specific premises and forming a general conclusion, while deductive reasoning involves using general premises to form a specific conclusion.

Question 11

Cause

Answer 11

something which results in an effect, action or condition

Question 12

Data

Answer 12

The information from which inferences are drawn and conclusions reached. A lot of data are collected in numerical form but textual data may also be appropriate.

Question 13

Randomised experiment

Answer 13

This refers to a type of research in which participants in research are allocated at random (by chance) to an experimental or control condition, so each participant has an equal chance of being allocated to the experimental or control conditions. Can also be referred to as a randomized trial.

Question 14

Reference

Answer 14

In psychology, this refers to the details of the book or article that is the source of the ideas or data being discussed. The reference includes such information as the athor, the title and the publisher of the book or journal in which the article appears.

Question 15

variable

Answer 15

A variable is any concept that varies and can be measured or assessed in some way. Intelligence, height, gender and social status are simple examples.

Question 16

hypothesis

Answer 16

supposition or proposition which serves as the basis of further investigation, either through the collection of research data or through reasoning. Comes from the Greek word for foundation, like a foundation from which psychology develops. Precision is important for hypotheses because it clarifies an idea enough to research on it.

Question 17

correlational study

Answer 17

A common type of research in which basically a number of different variables are measured simultaneously for a sample of individuals, generally using the strategy of examining the extent to which they are associated when measured at a single point in time. Also called a cross-sectional study, though this term is more broad and may imply a different type of study for example that of differences rather than similarities.

Question 18

correlation coefficient

Answer 18

a statistical index or test which describes the degree and direction of the relationship between two characteristics or variables.

Question 19

the ‘True Experiment’

Answer 19

Campbell/Campbell and Stanely (1957, 1963) believed that a study where:
- the presumed cause of an effect is manipulated
- participants are randomly assigned to conditions
- all other factors are held constant

Later called a ‘randomized’ experiment or ‘randomized trial’ though others used these terms earlier.

If any of these requirements are not held, the study may be described as a non-experiment or quasi-experiment.