Week 4 - Research and Statistics

Question 1

Scientific Method

Answer 1

Founded on empiricism - the assumption that the truth is best discovered through sensory experience

Question 2

Empirical evidence

Answer 2

evidence that is publicly confirmable

Question 3

Hypothesis

Answer 3

A prediction, generally phrased as an “if…then” statement

Question 4

Theory

Answer 4

The best explanation we have given the facts at hand, including previous hypothesis testing

Question 5

Population

Answer 5

The group that is ultimately of interest to the researcher

Question 6

Sample

Answer 6

A subgroup of the population

Question 7

6 ways that data may be gathered depending on the research question

Answer 7

1. Archival research
2. Observation
3. Surveys
4. Interviews
5. Psychological tests
6. Biodata

Question 8

Basic research

Answer 8

research done for the sake of curiosity, theory development, or knowledge expansion

Question 9

Applied research

Answer 9

research done to help solve a practical problem

Question 10

Descriptive studies

Answer 10

Used simply to describe phenomena or populations of interest (who?, what?, where?, how?) - descriptive studies don’t always use statistics, but they can

Question 11

Inferential studies

Answer 11

Used to explain and predict (when?, why?) - Often involve the use of inferential statistics, which are used to draw conclusions about the probability of the research results occurring by chance

Question 12

Qualitative study

Answer 12

A textual description of interview data or observations

Question 13

Case study or series

Answer 13

Presents a rich summary of facts, observations, and tests pertaining to at least one individual or group

Question 14

Correlational study

Answer 14

Identifies the strength of association between two or more variables of interest EG - age is positively correlated with vocabulary - relationship between hours of study and GPA

Question 15

Correlation coefficient

Answer 15

A statistic that expressed the size and direction of relationship between two variables - the larger the absolute value, the stronger the relationship

Question 16

Positive correlation

Answer 16

When values of one variable change in the same direction as valued of the other variable; e.g. r=.76

Question 17

Negative correlation

Answer 17

When high values of one variable are associated with low values of the other variable; e.g r= -.32

Question 18

Inferential Research

Answer 18

Inferences have to do with cause and effect relationships - experiments are the best way to prove. the existence of cause-effect relationship

Question 19

Variable

Answer 19

Any factor that varies in amount or kind

Question 20

Independent Variable

Answer 20

A factor that is manipulated by the researcher

Question 21

Dependent Variable

Answer 21

A factor that the experimenter measures to determine the impact of the IV - outcome variable

Question 22

Control group

Answer 22

Not exposed to the conditions expected to create change

Question 23

Random assigment

Answer 23

An equal chance of being assigned to the control group or the experimental group

Question 24

Experimental control

Answer 24

Other systematic methods of ensuring equal treatment across groups and the studies ( ex strict procedures, no distractions)

Question 25

Placebo effect

Answer 25

Provides no active effect

Question 26

Quasi-experimental studies

Answer 26

Demonstrate that naturally existing factors that differentiate two groups lead to differences in measured variables

Question 27

Longitudinal studies

Answer 27

Measure the same variables in the same person at different ages

Question 28

Cross-sectional studies

Answer 28

Measure a trait across as number of age groups/ categories at the same time

Question 29

Sequential studies

Answer 29

Combine cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, and are therefore the most efficient design

Question 30

Mean

Answer 30

Average

Question 31

Median

Answer 31

Midpoint in rank-ordered data

Question 32

Mode

Answer 32

Score appearing most often

Question 33

Normal distribution

Answer 33

Bell-shaped curve

Question 34

Standard deviation

Answer 34

Degree to which scores in ordered distribution are spread out