What is Research? 90%

Explain the difference between descriptive and experimental research.

Descriptive research is a type of research that simply describes behavior or data through observation research methods whereas experimental research attempt to seek and explain cause and effect relationships by manipulating data.

Explain two reasons why psychologists use a systematic method for collecting and analyzing research data.

Psychologists use a systematic method in research in order to eliminate subjectivity and allow for consistency across studies. This is to ensure that data is tested and recorded in the most objective way possible as well as ensure that psychologists are defining and measuring psychological concepts and behaviors in the same way.

Describe what it means when psychologists state that scientific theories must be supported by empirical evidence.

Stating that a scientific theory must be supported by empirical evidence means that the theory must be supported by testing it out through research. If research results demonstrate that the psychological claim has been backed by data in a significant manner then accuracy for the theory is established and the theory is said to be backed by empirical evidence.

List and briefly describe the steps of the scientific method.

There are six steps of the scientific method: First, the researcher develops a research question after making observations and critically researching information in order to develop questions needed to guide research. Next, the researcher creates a testable hypothesis by narrowing the research question down to a testable predictive statement. Then the researcher designs a study by considering type of research method and measurements to use as well as determine participants. Collecting data occurs next, which is when the actual study is conducted. The researcher then analyzes data and draw conclusions about the data collected which involves interpreting or making sense of the data. The final step occurs when the researcher reports study findings so that other researcher can review, critique, and replicate work.

A psychologist who wants to answer the question of why something happens seeks to __________ behavior. A. describe B. explain C. predict D. control

a

All of the following are core goals of psychological research except __________. A. changing B. describing C. predicting D. explaining

a

The first step in the scientific method is to ___________. A. develop a research question B. analyze data C. design a study D. collect data

a

_________ research is a type of research that describes various types of data collected through observational research methods. A. Descriptive B. Behavioral C. Experimental D. Predictable

a?

All of the following are processes used for designing a research question except __________. A. carefully observing behaviors B. researching known information C. collecting data for the study D. establishing questions to guide research

b?

A tentative prediction about the relationship between variables is a(n) __________. A. observation B. method C. hypothesis D. finding

c

All of the following are reasons that psychologists use a systematic method to conduct research except __________. A. to minimize subjectivity in research B. to increase consistency across studies C. to minimize objectivity in research D. to ensure behaviors are defined similarly

c

Which of the following statements is a prediction? A. Drivers like getting to places quickly because it gives them a sense of control. B. Traffic signals should be timed to lessen traffic density. C. Drivers that speed will receive more traffic citations than other motorists during traffic holidays. D. Motorists report enjoying driving during periods of low traffic density.

c

An explanation for behavior must be __________ and __________ to be considered a scientific theory. A. repeated . . . recorded B. proven . . . recorded C. testable . . . supported D. testable . . . proven

c?

If psychologists are making suggestions for how to change behavior, then they are demonstrating which goal of psychology? predict control explain observe

control

A psychologist whose goal is to explain a behavior will __________. A. record descriptions as objectively as possible B. discuss why a behavior has occurred C. hypothesize or predict future behavior D. suggest why a behavior occurs

d

Which of the following statements is an observation? A. Drivers like getting to places quickly because it gives them a sense of control. B. When motorists enjoy driving, it is due to the nice weather. C. Drivers that speed will receive more traffic citations than other motorists during holidays. D. When traffic signals are timed traffic seems to be less dense

d

A research study that proposed to describe the behaviors of high school teachers would be __________. A. experimental B. representative C. propositional D. descriptive

d?

Creating a testable hypothesis comes after which step in the scientific method? A. collecting research data B. designing a research study C. reporting research findings D. developing a research question

d?

Which of the following statements is a prediction? A. Aggressive chimpanzees should be monitored during meal times or fed separately from other chimpanzees. B. Chimpanzees will behave aggressively when they feel threatened by other individuals. C. A chimpanzee associates food stealing with aggression due to evolutionary pressure. D. Giving better supplies of food to chimpanzees will decrease their aggressive behavior.

d?

Collecting research data is the final step in the scientific method. t/f?

false?

Descriptive research attempts to explore cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating data. t/f?

false?

Experimental research focuses on explaining why various phenomena happen. t/f?

true?

Researching known information is an important process of developing a research question. t/f?

true?