Week 3 : Own research 1 Flashcards
Variables
- variable is a quantity/quality that varies across ppl/situations
- quantitative variable : quantity that is typically measured by assigning a number to each individual
- categorial variable : a quality that is typically measured by assigning a category label to each individual
Population + sample
- Researchers in psych are usually interested in drawing conclusions abt some very large group of ppl
- BUT… they usually study only a small subset/sample of the population (we want it to be representative)
Random sampling
- every member of the pop has an equal chance of being selected for the sample
- difficult cuz the populations for psych research are less clearly defined than voters in a city
Convenience sampling
- sample consists of individuals who are nearby + willing
- problem = sample might not be representative
Operational definition
- once sample is selected, researchers need to measure the variables of interest + this requires an operational definition
- its a definition of the variable in terms of how its to be measured
- most variables can be operationally defined in different ways
One variable
- Some research questions in psych are abt one variable
- answering these requires operationally defining the variable, measuring it among a sample + analyzing the results + concluding
- quantitative = mean + standard d
- categorial = % of scores at each level of variable
- most research question tho are abt relationships between variables
Statistical relationship
- There is a statistical relationship between 2 variables when the average score on 1 differs systematically across levels of the other
- studying these relationships are important cuz it tells us abt potential causes, consequences, development + organization of behaviours + psych characteristics
2 basic forms of statistical relationships
- differences between groups
- correlations between quantitative variables
(1) differences between groups
- A difference between the mean scores of 2 groups on a variable of interest
- e.g. are women more talkative than men?
- can involve more than 2 groups
- differences between groups described my the mean and standard d. for each group
(2) correlations between quantitative variables
- average score on 1 variable differs systematically across levels of the other
- positive relationship = higher scores on one associated w/ higher scores of the other (1.00)
- Negative relationship = higher scores on one -> lower scores on other (-1.00)
- Pearson’s r
Causal relationship
- statistical relationships reflects a causal relationship
- includes independent (x) variable so the cause and the dependent (y) variable the effect
- Understanding this relationships allows us to change pals behaviour in predictable ways
Non-causal relationship
- correlation doesn’t imply causation for 2 reasons…
1. directionality problem (X and Y can be related cuz X causes Y or Y causes X)
2. third variable problem (X and Y can be related cuz some 3rd variable, Z, causes both X and Y)
Degrees of scientific progress
- large, groundbreaking progress tends to… have high impact, be relevant to many + shift how researchers conceptualize a topic
- small, incremental progress tends to… advance a specific question, limited scope, be relevant to a specialized area
- think ground breaking AT FIRST
BASIC ground breaking research
Important basic research, advancement occurs…
(1) when a new theoretical model is developed that parsimoniously explains a phenomenon (theory)
(2) when an existing key idea is challenged
(3) when a new method is uncovered that can tackle previously unexplored questions
APPLIED ground breaking research
Some approaches to applied advancement…
(1) interventions (new exercise, treatment, way of thinking etc. can be implemented to help w/ a problem)
(2) better decision making (particular kind of choice helps the problem)
(3) persuasion (when ppl can be convinced something is a problem)
(4) policy implementation
