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Questions and Answers
What is the most accurate description of standard deviation?
What is the most accurate description of standard deviation?
What does a p-value less than 0.05 generally indicate?
What does a p-value less than 0.05 generally indicate?
What is the key difference between a linear relationship and a non-linear relationship in scatter diagrams?
What is the key difference between a linear relationship and a non-linear relationship in scatter diagrams?
Which of these is NOT a measure of central tendency?
Which of these is NOT a measure of central tendency?
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Which of these is NOT a step in the scientific method?
Which of these is NOT a step in the scientific method?
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In a perfectly normal distribution, what relationship exists between the mean, median, and mode?
In a perfectly normal distribution, what relationship exists between the mean, median, and mode?
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Which of the following best describes the relationship between a theory and a hypothesis?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between a theory and a hypothesis?
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What does inferential statistics enable researchers to do?
What does inferential statistics enable researchers to do?
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In the context of classical conditioning, what is a neutral stimulus?
In the context of classical conditioning, what is a neutral stimulus?
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What is the primary goal of hypothesis testing in scientific research?
What is the primary goal of hypothesis testing in scientific research?
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What is the primary purpose of a scatter diagram?
What is the primary purpose of a scatter diagram?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a good scientific hypothesis?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a good scientific hypothesis?
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In a study designed to test the effectiveness of a new drug, what would be the purpose of a control group?
In a study designed to test the effectiveness of a new drug, what would be the purpose of a control group?
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Which of the following statements best reflects the two essential beliefs of science?
Which of the following statements best reflects the two essential beliefs of science?
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What is the role of operational definitions in scientific research?
What is the role of operational definitions in scientific research?
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Why is it important for a hypothesis to be falsifiable?
Why is it important for a hypothesis to be falsifiable?
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What is the main difference between a quantitative variable and a qualitative variable?
What is the main difference between a quantitative variable and a qualitative variable?
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Which of the following is an example of an operational definition?
Which of the following is an example of an operational definition?
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What is the role of the null hypothesis in research?
What is the role of the null hypothesis in research?
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What is the dependent variable in the following research question: "Does listening to classical music improve students' test scores?"
What is the dependent variable in the following research question: "Does listening to classical music improve students' test scores?"
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Which of the following statements is the best definition of an alternative hypothesis?
Which of the following statements is the best definition of an alternative hypothesis?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a quantitative variable?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a quantitative variable?
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What is the main purpose of an operational definition?
What is the main purpose of an operational definition?
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What is the purpose of descriptive research?
What is the purpose of descriptive research?
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What is the difference between a population and a sample in research?
What is the difference between a population and a sample in research?
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How is data analyzed in the research process?
How is data analyzed in the research process?
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What is the purpose of Step 3, 'Prepare for testing,' in the research process?
What is the purpose of Step 3, 'Prepare for testing,' in the research process?
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Which of the following is NOT a type of descriptive research?
Which of the following is NOT a type of descriptive research?
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What is the goal of experimental research?
What is the goal of experimental research?
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Which of the following is an example of a conceptual definition?
Which of the following is an example of a conceptual definition?
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Flashcards
Science
Science
A systematic approach to understanding the universe through observation and experimentation.
Natural Laws
Natural Laws
The principles that govern the universe and can be discovered and tested.
Hypothesis
Hypothesis
A testable prediction derived from a theory, stating the expected outcome of a study.
Theory
Theory
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Classical Conditioning
Classical Conditioning
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Conditioned Response
Conditioned Response
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Null Hypothesis
Null Hypothesis
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Data
Data
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Mean
Mean
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Median
Median
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Mode
Mode
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Standard Deviation
Standard Deviation
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Scatter Diagram
Scatter Diagram
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Correlation Coefficient
Correlation Coefficient
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P-value
P-value
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Inferential Statistics
Inferential Statistics
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Alternative Hypothesis
Alternative Hypothesis
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Variable
Variable
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Quantitative Variable
Quantitative Variable
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Qualitative Variable
Qualitative Variable
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Independent Variable (IV)
Independent Variable (IV)
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Dependent Variable (DV)
Dependent Variable (DV)
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Operational Definition
Operational Definition
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Self-report surveys
Self-report surveys
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Conceptual definition
Conceptual definition
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Population
Population
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Sample
Sample
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Descriptive research
Descriptive research
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Experimental research
Experimental research
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Descriptive statistics
Descriptive statistics
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Study Notes
Psychology as a Science
- Science involves two core beliefs: the universe operates according to natural laws, and these laws are discoverable and testable.
- The scientific method includes:
- Asking a question: Identifying questions of interest and reviewing relevant literature.
- Formulating a hypothesis: Developing a testable prediction; hypotheses must be operationally defined.
- Theory: A set of statements describing general principles about how variables relate.
- Classical conditioning:
- A learning process involving associating one stimulus with another.
- Key variables include a neutral stimulus, an unconditioned stimulus, and the resulting response.
- Pairing the neutral stimulus with the unconditioned stimulus creates a conditioned response.
Hypothesis Testing
- Hypothesis: A prediction based on a theory, stated in terms of the study design.
- Data: Collected observations.
- Hypothesis testing compares a sample to a wider population or to different groups within the sample.
- Null hypothesis: Assumes there is no effect or no difference between groups.
- Alternative hypothesis: Assumes there is an effect or a difference between groups.
Variables
- Variables: Characteristics, numbers or quantities that can be measured or counted.
- Types of variables:
- Quantitative: Variables that are measured numerically, varying in degree (e.g., age, height).
- Qualitative: Variables that are measured in categories or kinds (e.g., car model, color).
- Independent variable (IV): The variable that is manipulated in a study.
- Dependent variable (DV): The variable that is measured.
Operational Definitions
- Operational definitions specify precisely how a concept is measured. This allows other researchers to evaluate the methods used and potentially replicate a study.
- Examples include:
- How might bullying be measured?
- Observing the number of times a person is called a name.
- Self-report surveys on the frequency of bullying behavior.
- Self-reports on individual behaviors and actions.
- How might bullying be measured?
Methods of Data Collection and Research
- Population: The entire group of interest.
- Sample: A portion of the population selected for study. Samples should be representative of the population.
- Descriptive research: Methods including case studies, naturalistic observations, and surveys. The goal is to observe, record and describe phenomena. This approach often leads to further research, such as developing a theory that could further be tested.
- Experimental research: Methods involving manipulation and control of variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
Data Analysis
- Descriptive statistics: Summarizing and describing data, including measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and measures of variability (standard deviation).
- Inferential statistics: Drawing conclusions about a population based on data from a sample; includes comparing means of groups (to see if the difference is statistically significant). Inferring predictions from data.
- Correlation coefficients: These demonstrate the strength and direction of a relationship between variables. -Positive correlations: both variables increase together. -Negative correlations: one variable increases while the other decreases.
- Non-linear relationships: As one variable changes, the other may not follow a straight-line relationship.
- P-value: The probability that the observed results occurred by chance. A low p-value typically indicates statistically significant findings.
Ethical Considerations
- Human participants in research must be informed of all ethical risks and must consent to participate freely.
- The study must meet the highest ethical standards through multiple steps including scientific review and replication.
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Description
Test your understanding of the principles of psychology as a science, including the scientific method and classical conditioning. This quiz covers hypothesis testing and the key components involved in psychological research. Dive into the foundational concepts that shape the field of psychology.