WS13: Revision Flashcards
What’s the difference b/w describing and explaining events?
One is describing a rship b/w variables and the other is attempting to infer causality
6 stages of research process
- Finding a research idea
- From theory to hypothesis
- Defining & operationalising variables
- Identifying participants
- Research strategies (types of research)
- Research designs (b/w & within subject)
Describe the correlational research strategy
Examining the rship b/w 2 or more variables (strength/rship)
Describe the experimental strategy
Examining cause-effect relations using manipulation, measurement, comparison & control
Describe the quasi-experimental method
Typically compares grps/conditions defined by a non-manipulated variable e.g. Gender
What is a hypothesis?
- A statement that describes or explains a rship b/w or among variables
- a proposal to be tested or evaluated
What is a research hypothesis?
- a specific testable prediction
- refers to a specific situation or event that can be directly observed
What are the 4 aspects of a research hypothesis?
- Logical: flows from & and is consistent with past theory & research
- testable: all variables observable/measurable
- refutable: can be demonstrated to be wrong
- positive: proposes a rship or a difference b/w variables as opposed to no rship
What is meant by internal validity?
The extent to which a study produces a single, unambiguous explanation for the rship b/w 2 variables
What is meant by external validity?
The extent to which we can generalize factors outside of our study
What is an extraneous variable?
Any variable in a study other that the variables being studied
What is a confounding variable?
An extraneous variable that changes systematically along with the IV & has the potential to influence the DV
What do you need to consider for cause and effect relationships?
- manipulation: manipulating a variable to create 2 or more treatment conditions
- measurement: measuring scores in each treatment condition
- comparison: comparing treatment condition scores
- control: controlling other variables that may influence the 2 variables being examined
What is meant by the directionality problem is correlational research?
A & B correlate: A causes B or B causes A
What is meant by the third-variable problem in correlational research?
A & B correlate: relation caused by C.
Don’t forget triangular diagram
