Psychology 243: Research Methods Overview

Questions and Answers

What type of data illustrates the order of data points but does not provide exact differences?

Ordinal Data (correct)

Ratio Data

Interval Data (correct)

Discrete Data

Which of the following is an example of interval data?

Age in years

Satisfaction ratings (correct)

IQ scores (correct)

Height in centimeters

What data type includes values with a true zero point and allows for the calculation of ratios?

Nominal Data

Ratio Data (correct)

Ordinal Data

Interval Data

Which of the following statements about psychological research limitations is accurate?

Limitations may indicate that data could be manipulated to indicate false significance. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a continuous data type with measurable values?

Exam scores Signup and view all the answers

In which situation would it be important to question the absence of limitations in research?

When no limitations are reported in a study. Signup and view all the answers

What type of data would a satisfaction rating system most closely resemble?

Ordinal Data Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following illustrates a potential issue in psychological research?

Inconsistent findings across studies Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of qualitative data?

It uses words and descriptions. Signup and view all the answers

What type of questions does qualitative research typically aim to answer?

What does it feel like to go through an experience? Signup and view all the answers

Which method is primarily used to analyze qualitative data?

Thematic analysis Signup and view all the answers

Quantitative data primarily answers questions about:

How often and in what amounts. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of nominal data?

Handedness classification. Signup and view all the answers

Which option lists characteristics of ordinal data?

Ordered, ranking potential, and continuous. Signup and view all the answers

What is essential to obtain before conducting a study that involves human subjects?

Ethical approval. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT involved in qualitative data collection?

Surveys with closed questions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main issue with P-hacking?

It involves manipulating data to find significant results. Signup and view all the answers

Which research design is best suited for examining differences between groups?

Experimental designs Signup and view all the answers

When looking for a relationship between two continuous variables, which type of research design is appropriate?

Correlational designs Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'hypothesizing after results are known' imply?

Adjusting hypotheses based on initial findings. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example research question that requires qualitative research design?

What are the main difficulties that participants face? Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a relevant focus area in P-hacking?

Employing standardized data collection methods. Signup and view all the answers

What type of research question examines trends or relationships over time?

Longitudinal designs Signup and view all the answers

Which statement describes a key feature of experimental designs?

They manipulate variables to test hypotheses. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key elements that a consent form must contain?

Confirmation of willingness to participate Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best addresses the voluntary nature of participation in research?

Participants have the right to withdraw at any time. Signup and view all the answers

What information should a debriefing sheet provide regarding potential risks?

An explanation of any potential risk and how to reduce effects Signup and view all the answers

What format should statistical results follow in an APA style report?

statistic (df) = X.XX, p =.XXX Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a required component of a consent form?

Participants’ names and signatures Signup and view all the answers

What additional detail can be included in the debriefing sheet compared to the Participant Information Sheet?

Expected findings from the study Signup and view all the answers

What should participants be assured of regarding their information during the research?

Their information will remain confidential and anonymous Signup and view all the answers

According to ethical standards, what must be confirmed in the consent form?

Confirmation that the study and its aims have been explained Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of conducting research in psychology?

To learn about human behavior and understand the reasons behind it Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the three main types of research designs mentioned?

Historical designs Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the 7 BASIC STEPS OF RESEARCH DESIGN?

Find and read background research Signup and view all the answers

In developing a research question, what does the analysis of existing data help to identify?

What has not been studied yet Signup and view all the answers

When designing a study, which factor primarily influences the choice between quantitative and qualitative methods?

The research question being addressed Signup and view all the answers

What must be obtained before conducting a study involving human subjects?

Ethical approval Signup and view all the answers

In the context of research design, what does the term 'hypothesis' refer to?

A prediction related to a quantitative study Signup and view all the answers

What role does an abstract play when applying for ethical approval?

It summarizes the main goals and methodology of the study Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Research in Psychology

Research aims to understand human behavior, feelings, actions, and underlying motivations.
Main designs for research include experimental, correlational, qualitative, and mixed methods.
Research design should follow the 7 basic steps for effective study planning and execution.

Basic Steps of Research Design

Find and Read Background Research: Explore existing literature to identify what has been studied and gaps in knowledge.
Develop a Research Question: Focus on qualitative (research question) or quantitative (hypothesis) aspects based on the data gathered.
Design a Study: Select the appropriate method (quantitative or qualitative) to address the research question.
Apply for Ethical Approval: Submit detailed study plans to ethics boards, justifying relevance and safety.

Data Types in Research

Qualitative Data: Involves words and descriptions; focuses on experiences and meanings using methods like interviews and observations.
Quantitative Data: Involves numbers and statistics; answers questions related to frequency, counts, or scales using surveys and tests.

Four Types of Quantitative Data

Nominal Data: Categorical with no inherent order (e.g., blood types, favorite colors).
Ordinal Data: Ranked order without consistent intervals (e.g., race placements).
Interval Data: Ordered and measurable but lacks a true zero (e.g., IQ scores, temperature).
Ratio Data: Measurable with a true zero point, allowing for ratios and proportions (e.g., weight, height, age).

Importance of Critical Evaluation

Consider limitations of prior studies, such as sample size and methodology, which can affect findings.
The existence of limitations is normal; be cautious of studies that report no limitations, as data may be manipulated.

Ethical Research Practices

Ensure study transparency and participant welfare, including informed consent and the right to withdraw.
Include comprehensive information in consent forms covering aims, participant rights, potential risks, and contact details for researchers.

Research Question Planning Example

Different approaches can be taken based on the objectives:
- Examine differences (experimental design) or correlations (correlational design).
- Identify themes (qualitative design) from text-based data.

Psychological Reports and Statistical Reporting

Reports should follow APA style for statistical results, including proper notation for statistics, degrees of freedom, calculated values, and significance levels.
Example: statistic (df) = X.XX, p =.XXX, where "p" value is italicized and statistics symbols are too.

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Description

This quiz covers the essential aspects of research methods discussed in Psychology 243. Understand the importance of studying human behavior and the various research designs including experimental, correlational, and qualitative approaches. Discover how these methods help predict behaviors and answer psychology questions.