Research Methods in Psychology

Pataasin ang iyong marka sa homework at exams ngayon gamit ang Quizwiz!

Observer Bias

-when the individual observing behavior is influenced by their own experiences, expectations, or knowledge about the purpose of the observation or study

Independent Variable

-causing variable that is manipulated by the experimenter -independent:dependent::viewing violence:aggressive behavior

Random Assignment

-condition that each participant is assignes is determined through a random process, such as a lottery -ensures that you get demographic variation -without random assignment- only a quasi-independent variable

Threats to Internal Validity

-dependent variable actually caused by a confounding variable

Case Study

-descriptive record of one or more individuals' experiences and behaviors -strengths- ---provide detailed info about a single person or small group of people -weaknesses- ---results not generalizable to larger public ---possible problem of relying on people's memories ---interviewer bias ---people may withhold info

Surveys

-measure administered through face-to-face, telephone, written, or computer, to get a picture of the beliefs or behaviors of a sample of people of interest -strengths- ---quick, efficient way to gather specific information about a large group of people to make a generalization about the larger population -weaknesses ---self-reporting errors b/c of social desirability bias ---answer can be influenced by how question is worded, who asks it

Dependent Variable

-measured variable expected to be influenced by the experimental manipulation

Correlational Research

-measures relationship btwn or among two or more relevant variables -i.e: height and weight are correlated -when just two variables, one is Predictor Variable, other is Outcome Variable -strengths ---can offer clues about underlying causes ---can identify groups of people at high risk for certain behavioral problems ---increases understanding of relationsip btwn variables or events -weaknesses ---cannot be used to draw conclusions about the causal relationships among measured variables (because of common-causal variables)

Correlation Coefficient

-number btwn +1.0 and -1.0 which indicated strength or weakness of correlation

Experimental Method

-random assignment of research participants into two groups, followed by a manipulation of a given experience for one group while the other is not manipulated, groups then compared -strengths ---precise control over variables ---can draw conclusions about cause and effect relationships -weaknesses ---threats to external and internal validity ---possibility of confounding variable ---contrived environments can be unconvincing

Naturalistic Observation

-research based on the observation of everyday events in the natural environment of the subject -strengths- ---get to objectively view subject in natural environment, subject is probably more comfortable than in a lab -weaknesses ---subject's behavior or natural habitat might be altered by presence of researcher, unless researcher is hidden ---researchers may loose objectivity and become attached to subjects, which would bias their interpretation of events - Observer Bias

Threats to External Validity

-results are not a general as claimed- only found under limited conditions or for specific groups of people

Flaws in Research-

-sampling bias -placebo effects -social desirability bias -experimenter bias

Interrater Reliability

-score which estimates how much agreement there is btwn two observers about what the subjects were doing -can identify observer bias

Descriptive Research

-snapshot of the current state of individuals -case studies, surveys, naturalistic observation -strengths ---attempts to capture the complexity of behavior -weaknesses ---limited to static pictures ---no control group

Common-causal Variable

-third, unseen or unstudied variable which causes both the predictor and outcome variables, making the relationship SPURIOUS

Sample

-those chosen for the study from which researchers make a generalization about the population

Random Sampling

-to make a more general generalization of the population


Kaugnay na mga set ng pag-aaral

Exam #3- Movement/era and culture and Art Name/ Artist

View Set

adaptive quizzing chapter 12 central nervous system

View Set

Psychology chapter 2 multiple choice

View Set

Placenta Previa, Abruptio Placentae, DIC (Test 4)

View Set

ECONOMICS Final Exam, econ final pt2

View Set

Final Exam Nursing 3 Old Stuff only

View Set

Chapitre 2: les régimes totalitaires

View Set

Chapter 3- Connections and Interactions

View Set

Chapter 20: Analysis of Convertible bonds

View Set