Chapter 2 SM

experimental research

-independent and dependent variables -quasi-experimental design

descriptive research

-naturalistic observation -surveys and interviews -case studies

Swedish researchers found that women who had experienced divorce or a family member's illness in their 50s to 60s were more likely to develop dementia or Alzheimer's disease in their 70s or 80s. What conclusion can we draw from this study?

70-year old women might develop Alzheimer's disease.

correlational

Discovering the relationships or associations between variables, such as whether having a college degree predicts greater happiness in women.

Which of the following are steps in the scientific method?

Drawing conclusions Observing some phenomenon Formulating hypotheses and predictions

New research suggests the size of your car affects how you drive. If you have a big car, studies show you may be more likely to break the law. It has to do with posture and how powerful you feel. Researcher Andy Yap from MIT says if you're in a car that allows you to sprawl out, it can make you feel more powerful and that in turn, can lead to unethical behavior. What conclusion can we draw from this study?

Driving big cars may make us feel powerful and we might speed.

experimental

Establishing cause and effect is the primary goal of this type of research, such as whether living in hot temperatures predicts aggressive behavior in men.

The headline is: "Study says sniffing rosemary improves memory by 75%." The story reports that researchers presented evidence that sniffing the essential oil from the herb rosemary improved long-term memory and performance in mental arithmetic. To determine the credibility of this research what other information do you need to consider?

In which journal was the study published? Was the study reviewed by an expert panel? Who conducted the research study?

Media reported that a research study found that most of us can not react when threatened by an attacker. What specific information might be important to know about the details of this study?

Information about the characteristics and size of the sample

Which of the following statements are considered drawbacks to doing laboratory observation?

It is almost impossible to do research in the lab without the participants knowing that they are being studied. The laboratory setting is unnatural and can cause the participant to act unnaturally. People who are willing to participate in laboratory research may not fairly represent the population.

descriptive

Learning about the basic factors of some variables, such as the average amount of student loan debt for graduate students.

Which statements are true regarding popular media reports of psychological research?

Media often only present sensationalistic and dramatic research findings

Which one of the following statements is true?

Most psychological questions need many research studies to provide answers

A University of Michigan research study found that the more a person uses Facebook, the worse they feel. The study found that Facebook use led to declines in happiness and overall life satisfaction. Researchers tested the variables of happiness and satisfaction on 82 college students. Should you stop using Facebook based on this study?

No - This is only one study. I doubt all people feel worse the more they use Facebook. No - The study was only conducted on 82 college students. That is a pretty small sample.

Why are ethical guidelines used by researchers?

So that the research does not cause the participant emotional distress So that the research proposal is accepted by the review board So that the research does not physically harm the participants

After formulating hypotheses and predictions, what step must a psychologist take next?

Test the hypotheses and predictions through empirical research.

Which of the following is the third step in the scientific method?

Testing a hypothesis by conducting empirical research

True or false: Researchers have flexible ethical guidelines for research involving animals.

false

True or false: The range is calculated by adding the highest and lowest scores in a data set and then dividing by the number of scores in the dataset.

false

What is the term for an educated guess based on a theory that can be tested?

hypothesis

deception

When a participant is not told about the purpose or true intention of the study

informed consent

When a participate knows what is involved in the research and understands any risks involved

debreifing

When participants are told about the research purpose and methods used in the study

When writing about your feelings, which of the following would be most helpful?

You should try to write every day, even for just a few minutes.

A theory is

a broad idea that can be used to explain observations.

In order to test a hypothesis and conduct valid empirical research, a psychologist first needs

a concrete way to measure the variable of interest.

A broad set of closely related ideas that attempts to explain observations is known as

a theory

A hypothesis is

an 'educated guess' or a prediction that can be tested.

Researchers must use experiments to determine whether _____ relationships exist between variables.

casual

Statistics are mathematical methods for reporting ______.

data

A researcher is studying how trauma might affect a person's day-to-day functioning. What types of research might the designer choose to conduct this study?

descriptive and correlational

Which of the following types of research is most likely about determining a phenomenon's basic dimensions and defining what the phenomenon is, how often it occurs, and so on?

descriptve research

The purpose of inferential statistics is to _______.

determine whether a hypothesis has been supported

Descriptive research serves the purpose of

determining the basic dimensions of a phenomenon and defining what it is or how often it occurs; but it cannot provide causal information.

The _____ refers to the entire group that a researcher is interested in studying.

population

After analyzing their data, what would researchers do next?

present their findings

Results are considered reliable if they can be ___.

replicated

Statistics are used to ____ the data collected from a research study.

report

The key feature of a correlational study is

that the factors of interest are examined to see how changes in one relate to changes in another

Correlational research involves studies that are concerned with identifying the relationships between two or more _____ in order to describe how they change together.

variables

The scientific method is what makes psychology a science. By following the steps in order, psychologists can engage in the research process. Put the steps in order, placing the first step of the scientific method at the top.

1. Observation of some interesting situation or experience 2. Create a hypothesis and make predictions 3. Conduct the research 4. Formulate conclusions from the research 5. Evaluate the theory

A researcher is interested in studying visibility of tattoos on perceptions of competence for work. What type of design would be appropriate for this topic?

Case study Observation

The media reported that college students are not as happy as those who are not in college. You are happy. You are in college. Is there something wrong with you?

No - the media may not have reported all the pertinent details of the research findings No - the results of a group study are not always relevant to an individual

Which of the following statements are true about conducting research with animals?

Researchers working with animals follow standards of care for the animals' well-being Researchers sometimes do things to research animals that would be unethical if done to humans Researchers follow strict ethical guidelines whether their participants are humans or animals

After researchers have gathered data, what do they do next?

Researchers would analyze the findings to see what the results say about the theory used to guide their study. Researchers would analyze their data to see if it supports the predictions of their hypothesis.

A study presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in Boston and published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Fertility and Sterility, suggests that processed meat intake is linked to poorer semen quality, and fish is linked to better semen quality. What elements of this story support the possibility that this research is credible? (Select all that apply.)

The research was published by a credible professional journal The research was presented to a credible professional group

confidentiality

The responsibility of the researcher to protect identifying information of participants when possible

The media reports that a research study found that students learn better if they eat chocolate while reading. If your teacher insists that you eat chocolate, based on this report, what errors is he making? (Choose every correct answer.)

The teacher is assuming that the class is similar to the participants in the study The teacher is overgeneralizing the results of this report to all students

Generalizing research results of a group study to a(n) _____ may encourage a person to falsely apply the results to their own situation.

individual

______ statistics are the mathematical methods used to indicate whether data sufficiently support or confirm a research hypothesis.

inferential

An experiment

involves manipulating one or more variables in order to determine their effect on other variables.

The fact that some aspects of the mind and behavior are difficult or even impossible to examine in the laboratory is one of the drawbacks to

laboratory research

A test of intelligence is given to a subject. The subject scores a 110 on the first administration. Six months later, the same subject is given the test again and receives a score of 75. After another six months have passed, the subject is given the test one last time and receives a score of 138. What conclusions can be drawn from these scores?

the scores are not reliable

True or False: The media often has trouble accurately informing us about the findings of psychological research study and its implications for our lives.

true

Writing about one's own trauma can have health and immune system benefits, according to research.

true