Psychology Research Methods Quiz

Psychological Investigation Features

• Variables: What to measure? Specific characteristics and conditions. Examples: sleep duration, mood.
• Samples: Who to study? How to find them? People or materials (e.g., personal ads). Field studies, volunteer participants, and samples from populations.
• Design: How to answer the research question? How to test predictions.
• Analysis: Types of evidence, format (e.g., numerical, observations).

Reasoning Methods

• Inductive Reasoning: Generalizations based on specific observations (e.g., all plants in sunlight grow faster = sunlight promotes plant growth).
• Deductive Reasoning: Specific predictions from general principles/theories (e.g., sunlight for photosynthesis = plants in sunlight grow faster).
• Scientific Method: A systematic approach: observations, questions, hypotheses, experiments, data analysis, conclusions.
• Hypothetico-Deductive Method: A specific method within the scientific method, focusing on testing hypotheses by deducing predictions and conducting experiments.

Hypothesis vs. Prediction

• Hypothesis: Educated guess or proposed explanation (e.g., "regular exercise improves mental health").
• Prediction: Specific outcome expected if the hypothesis is true (e.g., "people who exercise three times a week report lower anxiety").

Measuring People

• Equal Probability Selection Method (EPSEM): Sampling technique with equal chance for each case in the target population.
• Hypothetical Construct: A concept assumed to exist based on observable effects but needs further confirmation (e.g., anxiety, intelligence, motivation).
• Mixed Methods: Research combining quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Operational Definition: Precise description of how a variable will be measured or observed (e.g., aggression = number of physical fights, stress = cortisol levels).
• Participant Variables: Individual differences that might vary between & across groups & confound results (e.g., memory ability).
• Population: Entire group of interest with shared characteristics.
• Positivism: Philosophical and methodological approach focused on observable phenomena, mathematical relationships, and empirical evidence.
• Qualitative Approach: Research emphasizing gathering non-numerical descriptive data.
• Qualitative Data: Descriptive information, e.g. interviews, observations, textual analysis.
• Quantitative Approach: Emphasizes numerical data, measurement, and statistical analysis.
• Quantitative Data: Numerical data (e.g. survey responses, test scores).
• Random Number: A number generated unpredictably, crucial for applications.
• Randomise: Arranging trials/stimuli unpredictably to avoid biases in experiments.
• Randomly Allocate: Randomly assigning participants to different experiment conditions/groups.
• Reification: Treating abstract ideas as tangible entities.
• Reliability: Consistency and repeatability of research findings, measurements, or tools (e.g., test-retest, inter-rater, split-half).
• Sample: Subset of individuals from a larger population selected for study.
• Biased Sample: Sample not representative of the population (over- or under-representation).
• Cluster Sample: Random selection of groups within a population.
• Convenience/Opportunity Sample: Participants selected based on easy access.
• Haphazard Sample: Sample selected without a systematic plan.
• Purposive Sample: Deliberate selection of participants with relevant characteristics (in qualitative studies).
• Quota Sample: Non-random selection to ensure proportional representation of groups in the sample.
• Representative Sample: Reflects the characteristics of the entire population proportionally.
• Self-Selecting Sample: Participants choose to participate.
• Simple Random Sample: Each population member has equal probability of selection.
• Snowball Sample: Building a sample through referrals from initial participants.
• Stratified Sample: Random selection from subgroups of the population, proportionally represented
• Systematic (random) Sample: Selection of every nth member from a list.
• Sampling Bias (or Selection Bias): Favoring particular groups in sampling.
• Sampling Frame: The list/range of individuals who can be included in a sample.
• Target Population: Assumed group of people from which the sample is drawn; researchers want to generalize findings to this group.

Observational Methods

• Participant Observation: Researcher becomes part of the group studied.
• Non-participant Observation: Researcher is separate from the group.
• Obtrusive Observation: Subjects aware of being observed (may influence behavior).
• Unobtrusive Observation: Subjects unaware of observation (natural behavior).
• Naturalistic Observation: Observing behavior in natural settings.
• Controlled Observation: Observing behavior under controlled conditions.
• Structured/Systematic Observation: Using a predefined system to observe behaviors (coding schemes).
• Non-structured Observation: Recording all relevant behaviors without a predefined system.
• Indirect/Archival Observation: Using existing records (documents, historical data).

Psychological Tests and Measurement Scales

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Ethical Issues in Psychological Research

• (Details of these topics are found elsewhere in the notes)