34 Questions
What is the first step in designing research?
Specify the independent and dependent variables
What type of measures is a self-report measure an example of?
Dependent measure
What is the purpose of controlling extraneous variables?
To ensure the accuracy of the results
What software can be used to analyze data?
SPSS
What is the purpose of the fourth step in scientific methodology?
To analyze and interpret data
Where are research results typically communicated?
In a journal article
What is a primary function of a theory in research?
To guide research and organize its ideas
What is the purpose of a theoretical framework in a research study?
To provide a basis for the study's hypotheses
What are the characteristics of a good hypothesis?
It is simple, concise, and testable
What is the purpose of testing a hypothesis?
To confirm or refute it
What is a theory in research?
A set of related statements that explain a variety of occurrences
What does a null hypothesis represent?
A statement of no relationship among variables being investigated
What is the role of evidence in theory development?
It is used to support the theory
What is the purpose of control in scientific research?
To eliminate any extraneous variable that can affect an experiment
What is the relationship between a theory and a hypothesis?
A theory guides the development of hypotheses
What is the purpose of a hypothesis in research?
To predict a relationship between variables
What is an example of a simple hypothesis?
There will be a difference in the academic performance of students who attend tutorials and students who do not attend tutorials
According to Christensen (2007), what are the three most important characteristics of scientific research?
Control, Operational Definition, and Replication
What is the purpose of replication in scientific research?
To verify the results of an experiment
What is a scientific hypothesis?
A predicted relationship among variables being investigated
What is the main purpose of basic research in psychology?
To obtain information about a phenomenon or behaviour
What is the main difference between basic and applied research?
The goals of the research
Which type of research is focused on answering practical problems?
Applied research
What is an example of applied research?
Motivation and productivity at workplace
What is the emphasis of basic research?
On gaining understanding of a phenomenon or behaviour
What is the goal of applied research?
To answer a specific question in the real world
What is the first step in conducting research?
Identify a problem
What is a characteristic of a researchable topic?
It can be logically researched and tested using the scientific method
What is an example of a non-researchable topic?
Is democracy the best form of government?
What is a good research question?
One that is feasible, clearly stated, significant, and ethical
What is the purpose of formulating a hypothesis?
To state a prediction that can be tested
Why is it important to ensure that a research topic is researchable?
So that the research can be logically researched and tested using the scientific method
What is the purpose of data collection and analysis?
To test a hypothesis
How can a non-researchable topic be made researchable?
By rephrasing it into a specific, testable question
Study Notes
Research Methodology in Psychology
Basic and Applied Research
- Psychologists conduct basic research to gain knowledge about a phenomenon or behavior, with little emphasis on real-world application
- Applied research investigates a phenomenon or behavior in the real world to answer a specific question or solve a problem
- Basic research aims to understand human development, while applied research focuses on solving real-world problems, such as developing therapy to treat eating disorders
Theories in Psychology
- A theory is a set of related statements that explain various occurrences
- Theories are created and invented through research, explaining and predicting relationships between variables
- Theory guides research, organizes ideas, and generates new research
- Examples of psychological theories: Theory of Reasoned Action, Health Belief Model, Stress Theory, Erikson's Psychosocial Developmental Theory, Piaget's Cognitive Developmental Theory, Trait Theory of Personality, and Humanistic Theory of Personality
Hypotheses
- A hypothesis is a formal statement of expected relationships among variables
- A hypothesis predicts a relationship between two or more variables, is testable, and can be refuted or confirmed
- There are two types of hypotheses:
- Null hypothesis: represents a statement of no relationship among variables
- Scientific hypothesis (alternate/working/researcher's hypothesis): represents a predicted relationship among variables
- Hypotheses can be simple (two variables) or complex (more than two variables), and can be directional or non-directional
Characteristics of Scientific Research
- Control: eliminating extraneous variables that can affect an experiment
- Operational definition: specifying the independent and dependent variables and how extraneous variables will be controlled
- Replication: ensuring that results can be reproduced
Steps in Scientific Methodology
- Identify a problem and formulate a hypothesis
- Design the research
- Conduct the research
- Test the hypothesis
- Communicate the research results
Researchable and Non-Researchable Topics
- Researchable topics can be empirically investigated and state a testable hypothesis
- Non-researchable topics include explanations, vague propositions, philosophical or ethical issues, or opinions
- Examples of researchable topics: effect of feedback on task performance, approaches to ensuring cleanliness on campus, and effect of knuckle-cracking on osteoarthritis development
This quiz covers the scientific methodology and types of research in psychology, including basic and applied research. It explains the aims of research and how they vary depending on the phenomena under study.
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