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