research methods test
results
-quantitative and qualitative results (the data), stats, figures & tables
descriptive methods of research: self report
A descriptive method that consists of obtaining self-reports from research participants ◦ ◦Questionnaires or surveys can be used to gather data from a large number of people in a short time
random assignment
A procedure that randomly assigns people to an experimental group or a control group.
random sample
A sample that fairly represents the population by allowing each member of the population an equal chance of being included
experimental group
In an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.
control group
In an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.
independent variable
The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.
dependent variable
The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.
5 steps of scientific method: 1. theory
a hypothetical explanation of a natural phenomena
variable
a quantity or quality that varies across people or situations
5 steps of scientific method: 2. hypothesis
a specific (falsifiable) prediction of what should be observed if a theory is correct
confirmation bias
a tendency to focus on information and search for evidence that confirms our intuitive beliefs cherry picking
Which of the following is correct concerning random assignment? Select one: a. Each participant has an equal chance of being assinged to a condition. b. Each participant is assinged alphabetically to a condition. c. Random assignment can only be determined after an experiment is over. d. The best formula for random assignment is using birth dates.
a. Each participant has an equal chance of being assinged to a condition.
Where can you find a short summary of the study?
abstract
what words should you not use is a correlational study
affect, effect, impact, cause
confound
anything that affects a dependent variable and that may unintentionally vary between the studies different experimental conditions
negative correlation
as one variable increases, the other decreases ex:An increase in plane speed is correlated with a decrease in travel time
general scientific approach: Empirical questions
ask questions that are testable
Which of the following is an example of being a producer of research? Select one: a. Applying a new therapy technique b. Administering an anxiety questionnaire c. Writing an opinion article about a psychological study d. Undergoing a brain scan
b. Administering an anxiety questionnaire
Matthew is reading an empirical journal article and wants to know whether the authors used the Big Five Inventory (BFI-44) or the NEO-PI to measure extraversion. In which section would he find this information? Select one: a. Introduction b. Method c. Results d. Discussion
b. Method
The use of debriefing in a study such as Milgram's obedience study appeals to which principle of the Belmont Report? Select one: a. Principle of integrity b. Principle of beneficence c. Principle of respect for persons d. Principle of justice
b. Principle of beneficence
A psychiatrist is testing a drug that treats depression. He has given the drug to all his patients, and all of them have experienced a decrease in depressive symptoms. Although this is interesting, his experience is limited because he does not have: Select one: a. a reliable way to measure depressive symptoms. b. a comparison group that did not receive the drug. c. a hypothesis. d. psychotherapy to supplement the drug.
b. a comparison group that did not receive the drug.
A researcher who manipulates at least one variable and measures at least one behavior has done: Select one: a. an ethnographic study b. an experiment c. a case study d. a correlational study
b. an experiment
A neuropsychologist who extensively studies the behavaior of a single patient having brain damage from an accident would be using what type of research method? Select one: a. correlational b. case study c. experiment d. survey
b. case study
Marcy is trying to define anxiety in way that it can be measured. She is attempting to find an appropriate: Select one: a. hypothesis b. operational definition c. theory d. statistical analysis
b. operational definition
abstract
brief summary of the article
general scientific approach: systematic empiricism
check ideas using systematic observation
research producers
create the research use the empirical method
Different factors (alternative explanations or other things that changed) that could account for significant results are called ______. Select one: a. hypotheses b. biases c. predictions d. confounds
d. confounds
Another word for hypothesis is a _________________. Select one: a. theory b. observation c. outcome d. prediction
d. prediction
Operational Definition
defining a variable in terms of precisely how it is measured
research consumers
desire to understand psychological phenomena apply knowledge to work and daily lives evidence based treatments
Where should you find a description of the strengths and weaknesses of the study?
discussion
where should you find hypothesis for a study?
end of intro
method
explains how researchers conducted their study in detail (e.g. participant recruitment, materials, procedure, and apparatus, measurements, variables
present/ present bias
failing to look for what isn't there
types of research methods: correlational methods
how variables are naturally related in the real world. ◦ No attempt to alter the variables ◦Allows for predictions about the future. ◦If one variable is X, then this other variable is likely to be Y (correlation does not equal causation)
•Is the scientific approach to psychology necessary? what about knowledge based on commons sense and intuition
humans aren't naturally scientific thinkers swayed by good stories availability heuristic the present/ present bias conformation bias
Where should you find background information about this study?
intro
types of research methods: experimental methods
investigate what causes an outcome §Manipulating a variable and observing its effect
Where should you find the number of participants?
method
•Is the scientific approach to psychology necessary? what about knowledge based on experience?
no comparison group may be confounded: unable to control variables
descriptive methods of research: limitations of observational studies
observer bias reactivity- change your behavior if you know your are being watched (hawthorne effect)
types of research methods: Descriptive
provides a systematic and objective description of what is occurring observational studies self reports case studies
availability heuristic
relying on information that is most accessible, easy to recall, or easiest to imagine in forming judgments
5 steps of scientific method: step 5
report results
Where should you find the statistics used in a study?
results
is psychology a true science?
same general approach to understanding the natural world use math, theoretical, statistical, and models to explains
how do psychologists conduct research?
scientific method
general scientific approach: public knowledge
scientists publish their work
references
sources of information
discussion
summary of research questions/hypotheses and how/if data supported the hypotheses, importance of contributions (significance), limitations and alternative explanations
third variable problem
the researcher cannot be confident that another, unmeasured variable is not the actual cause of differences in the variables of interest.
psychological "claim": ex: phrenology
the shape of the skull indicates the underlying brain structure as well as a persons traits (not a real scientific claim)
5 steps of scientific method: 3. testing the hypothesis
three main types of research methods: descriptive, correlational, experimental
5 steps of scientific method: analyze the data
to see whether your hypothesis is supported
introduction
typically the first section of regular text. Talks about past research/theory, explanation for current study (importance of current study), hypotheses/goals/research questions for current study,
positive correlations
when one variable is high, the other variable tends to be high as well ex: Severity of a sunburn is correlated with the amount of time spent in the sun.
descriptive methods of research: observational study
§A specific type of descriptive method involving systematically assessing and coding observable behavior §Observational studies can be used either in the laboratory or in natural environments
descriptive methods of research: limitations of case studies
§Can't control for other factors §Generalizability
descriptive methods of research: case studies
§Case studies involve intensive examination of a few unique people or organizations §Case studies of people with psychological disorders are used frequently in psychology
evaluating research questions: feasibility
§Many factors to consider such as time, resources, access to participants etc. §
evaluating research questions: level of interest
§To the scientific community §Answer is in doubt §Answer fills a gap in the research literature §Answer has important practical implications
Types of Research: Step 1: Basic research:
•Enhance general body of knowledge
The Theory-Data Cycle:What Makes a Theory Good?
•Good theories are: •Supported by data •Falsifiable •Parsimonious •Simplest solution is the best
Empiricism
•Psychologists act as empiricists • systematically observe the world •Evidence based on empirical research is most likely to yield accurate information Look for references to reputable sources •Consult multiple reliable sources of information knowledge gained through observation
Types of Research: •Step 3: Applied research:
•Solve a specific, practical problem
Types of Research: Step 2: Translational research:
•The use of lessons from basic research to develop and test applications to health care, psychotherapy, or other forms of treatment and intervention
Theory-Data Cycle
•Theory: Statement(s) describing general principles about how variables relate to one another •Hypotheses: Statements about specific outcome expected if theory is accurate •Data: set of observations
•Is the scientific approach to psychology necessary? what about knowledge from authorities
•Trusting authorities is a necessary part of our lives •However, authorities are susceptible to the same biases that we are (article published saying vaccines cause autism)
Scientific Method
◦A systematic procedure of observing and measuring phenomena (observable things) to answer questions about what happens, when it happens, what causes it, and why.
types of journal articles: meta-analysis
◦Calculate average effect size of a relationship across previous studies
other scientific sources: chapters in edited books
◦Collection of chapters written by different contributors (typically experts) on a common topic ◦Not peer-reviewed as rigorously as journal articles
types of journal articles: empirical journal article
◦Initial report, methods, statistics, results
Types of Journal Articles: review journal article
◦Review of previous work in a field ◦Elaborative discussion and linkage of previous findings
other scientific sources: full-length books
◦Typically written for a more general audience ◦E.g. textbooks or books summarizing work in a more simplified narrative structure