Research Designs in Psychology

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Questions and Answers

What key aspect must a survey measure when investigating self-esteem and social media?

Responses from participants

Time spent on social media

Only self-esteem

All variables involved (correct)

Which research design involves careful observation of behavior without the researcher's intervention?

Experimental study

Naturalistic observation (correct)

Correlational study

Case study

What is a potential disadvantage of naturalistic observation?

Lack of depth in findings

High reliability of results

Difficult to gather data

Reactivity of participants (correct)

What is a primary characteristic of a case study in psychology?

In-depth investigation of individuals Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario would an experiment be most appropriate for research?

Evaluating feelings based on responses in two groups Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant criticism of Bettelheim's theory of autism?

It did not consider other variables that could affect behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect distinguishes scientific inquiry from unsystematic observations?

Desire for evidence and critical evaluation. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a good scientific theory?

It leads to testable predictions. Signup and view all the answers

What ethical concern arises from frontal lobotomies?

They were often performed by individuals lacking expertise. Signup and view all the answers

How does a hypothesis relate to a theory in scientific research?

A hypothesis provides specific predictions derived from a theory. Signup and view all the answers

What does test-retest reliability assess?

Consistency of participant scores across multiple test administrations Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is NOT considered under validity?

Does the measure yield similar results across different testers? Signup and view all the answers

In an experimental study, what is the dependent variable?

The variable that is measured to assess the effect Signup and view all the answers

What does a correlational coefficient indicate?

The strength and direction of a relationship between two variables Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario describes a valid relationship for correlational research?

Increased bystanders lead to less helping behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant disadvantage of self-report data in surveys?

It can be affected by social desirability. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes correlational research?

It looks for relationships among variables without manipulation. Signup and view all the answers

In an experiment, which variable is manipulated by the researcher?

Independent variable (IV) Signup and view all the answers

What is a representative sample?

A subset that reflects the characteristics of the population in the same proportions. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to operationalize a variable?

To turn abstract concepts into measurable variables. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is essential for a random sample?

Every member of the population has an equal chance of being included. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following demonstrates reliability in research measures?

The measure yields consistent results across multiple trials. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of experimental research?

To establish the causes of observed phenomena. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?

To treat participants identically but without the experimental condition Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a double-blind study?

Both participants and experimenters are unaware of the study's purpose Signup and view all the answers

What type of bias occurs when participants alter their behavior thinking they are expected to respond in a certain way?

Demand characteristics Signup and view all the answers

How does random assignment help improve the internal validity of an experiment?

It eliminates bias by ensuring comparability of groups Signup and view all the answers

Which variable represents the outcome being measured in an experiment?

Dependent variable Signup and view all the answers

What is one major concern that arises from sampling bias in an experiment?

It limits the generalizability of the findings to the broader population Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes a variable that systematically varies with the independent variable and can affect the dependent variable?

Confounding variable Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of manipulating the independent variable in an experiment?

To test the hypothesis about its effect on the dependent variable Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Choosing Research Designs

Naturalistic observation involves observing behavior in natural settings without interfering.
Participant observation involves the researcher being a part of the observed group.
Case studies delve into individual people or situations, using interviews, observations, records, and psychological tests.
Bettelheim's theory of autism lacked factual evidence and attributed the cause to parental neglect or mistreatment. His theory was based on his experiences in a concentration camp. This highlights the danger of misinformed practice.
Frontal lobotomy was a procedure believed to treat severe depression, psychosis, and other mental ailments by removing white matter in the brain. It was not based on empirical data and was highly unethical as it didn't warn people about the potential post-surgery effects.
Research relies on evidence, and it's imperative to be critical of information.

Research Concepts

Theories provide a structured way to organize and explain observations, often leading to testable predictions.
Theories can be falsifiable, meaning they can be proven wrong.
Hypotheses are specific predictions about relationships between variables.

Surveys

Gather information about specific aspects of behavior using questionnaires or interviews.
Offer insights into behaviors that are difficult to observe directly.
Can be vulnerable to inaccuracies like intentional deception, social desirability bias, response sets, and memory issues.

Correlational Research

Investigates relationships among variables.
Useful for variables that can't be manipulated, like personality, intelligence, age, and sex.
Demonstrates relationships but cannot establish causality.

Experimental Research

Manipulates an independent variable (IV) to measure its effect on the dependent variable (DV).
Uses random assignment to minimize bias.
Requires control over other variables to isolate the effect of the IV.

Important Concepts

Population refers to the entire group of interest, while sample is a subset of the population chosen for study.
Random sampling ensures each member of the population has an equal chance of being included in the sample, minimizing bias.
Representative samples possess characteristics in the same proportions as the population, enhancing study applicability.
Convenience samples, while frequently used, are prone to bias due to recruiting readily available individuals.

Operationalizing Variables

Transforming abstract concepts into measurable or manipulatable variables.
In correlational studies, all variables are measured.
In experiments, the IV is manipulated and the DV is measured.

Reliability

Consistency of a measure across multiple uses.
Test-retest reliability: Similar results when the test is taken multiple times.
Internal consistency: Consistent answers across different items measuring the same variable.
Inter-rater reliability: Similar ratings by independent testers measuring the same variable.

Validity

Measures whether the tool actually measures what it's intended to measure.
Construct validity: Assesses if the measure is related to other already validated measures.
Criterion validity: Examines the relationship between the measure and a relevant outcome.

Sources of Bias

Demand characteristics: Participants respond in ways they believe the experimenter expects.
Placebo effects: Participants' conditions improve due to belief in the procedure's effectiveness.
Experimenter expectancy effects: The experimenter's expectations and behavior influence the results.
Single-blind study: Participants are unaware of the study's purpose or their condition.
Double-blind study: Both experimenters and participants are unaware of the study's purpose and conditions.

Confounding Variables

Unaccounted factors that can vary systematically across conditions and influence the dependent variable, affecting the study’s internal validity.
For example, if participants in an experimental group engage in a physically active task while the control group remains inactive, the activity level becomes a confounding variable.

Sampling Bias

Non-representative samples affect the generalization of study results to the larger population.
This bias arises when the chosen sample does not accurately reflect the characteristics of the population.

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Description

Explore the various research designs in psychology such as naturalistic observation, participant observation, and case studies. Learn about the implications of historical theories and practices, including Bettelheim's theory of autism and frontal lobotomy. Gain insight into the importance of evidence-based research and critical thinking.