Research Methods in Psychology
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Questions and Answers

What are the primary goals of research methods in psychology?

To observe, describe, predict, and explain behavior and mental processes.

What distinguishes a null hypothesis from an alternative hypothesis?

A null hypothesis predicts no difference between groups, while an alternative hypothesis predicts a significant difference.

How does a one-tailed hypothesis differ from a two-tailed hypothesis?

A one-tailed hypothesis specifies the direction of the expected effect, whereas a two-tailed hypothesis does not.

Why are sampling techniques important in psychological research?

<p>Sampling techniques are crucial to select a representative group that reflects the characteristics of the target population.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What must psychologists do after conducting research and obtaining results?

<p>They must accept one hypothesis and reject the other based on whether a difference was found.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a hypothesis in psychological research?

<p>To make predictions about the results of an investigation that can be verified or disproved.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way does a representative sample benefit psychological research?

<p>A representative sample allows researchers to generalize findings to the larger population accurately.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of hypothesis is typically stated as ‘There will be a difference ...’?

<p>This statement represents a two-tailed hypothesis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are demand characteristics and how might they affect research study results?

<p>Demand characteristics occur when participants discern the study's aims and alter their behavior accordingly, potentially confounding the results.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the importance of controlling extraneous variables in an experiment.

<p>Controlling extraneous variables is vital to ensure they do not confound the results, thereby enhancing the validity of the experiment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of using random allocation in independent designs?

<p>Random allocation helps eliminate selection bias, ensuring that participants are equally distributed across experimental conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe counterbalancing and its role in experimental design.

<p>Counterbalancing is a method used to prevent order effects by ensuring that each condition is presented first or second across participants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential drawbacks of the repeated measures design in experiments?

<p>Drawbacks of repeated measures design include order effects, where a participant's performance may be influenced by prior exposure to the task.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does a matched pairs design differ from an independent design?

<p>In a matched pairs design, participants are paired based on relevant characteristics and each participant is assigned to different groups, unlike the independent design where each participant is in only one group.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it crucial to ensure groups do not differ in important ways when comparing two groups in an experiment?

<p>Ensuring that groups do not differ on critical factors is essential to isolate the effect of the independent variable and draw valid conclusions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What roles do the independent variable (IV) and dependent variable (DV) play in experimental methods?

<p>The IV is manipulated to observe its effect on the DV, which is measured to assess any changes resulting from the manipulation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of conducting a pilot study in research?

<p>To identify flaws in the procedures and improve the study's design.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define floor effect in the context of pilot studies.

<p>A floor effect occurs when a task is too difficult, resulting in low or no scores among participants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does longitudinal research differ from cross-sectional research?

<p>Longitudinal research gathers data repeatedly over time, while cross-sectional research compares multiple segments at a single point in time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a cohort study?

<p>A cohort study involves monitoring a population that shares a common factor over an extended period.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of triangulation in research.

<p>Triangulation involves using multiple research methods to enhance the validity of a study.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does reliability in research signify?

<p>Reliability indicates the consistency of a measurement across repeated assessments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe meta-analysis and its significance in research.

<p>Meta-analysis is a statistical method that combines findings from multiple studies to estimate an average effect size.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is inter-observer reliability?

<p>Inter-observer reliability measures the agreement between two or more observers assessing the same phenomenon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between primary and secondary data?

<p>Primary data is first-hand data collected for the investigation, while secondary data is information obtained from previously gathered sources.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define validity in the context of research.

<p>Validity refers to how well a piece of research measures what it claims to measure and reflects the reality it represents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is concurrent validity and how is it assessed?

<p>Concurrent validity is the extent to which a psychological measure correlates with an existing similar measure, often assessed through comparisons with established tests.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain what is meant by ecological validity.

<p>Ecological validity refers to how well findings from a research study can be generalized to real-world settings or other contexts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the implications of a significant result in statistical testing?

<p>A significant result indicates a low probability of chance factors causing the observed effect, allowing rejection of the null hypothesis in favor of the alternative hypothesis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'falsifiability' imply about scientific theories?

<p>Falsifiability implies that a theory must be structured in a way that it can be proven false, which is essential for it to be considered scientific.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe what a paradigm shift means in scientific discourse.

<p>A paradigm shift refers to a significant change in the dominant theory or framework within a scientific discipline, often prompted by new discoveries.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does replicability entail in scientific research?

<p>Replicability involves the ability of other researchers to repeat scientific procedures and obtain the same findings, validating the original study.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is p < 0.01 typically used for tests involving new drugs?

<p>It reduces the likelihood of a type I error, which is critical as it avoids falsely approving potentially harmful treatments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define a type I error in the context of hypothesis testing.

<p>A type I error occurs when the null hypothesis is rejected when it is actually true.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is informed consent, and why is it important in psychological research?

<p>Informed consent is the process by which participants understand and agree to take part in a study, ensuring they make an informed judgment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What ethical issue arises from participants guessing the aims of a study?

<p>It may lead participants to change their behavior, which can invalidate the study's results.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Under what circumstances is deception acceptable in psychological research?

<p>Deception is acceptable if approved by an ethics committee and is deemed necessary for the study's validity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the right to withdraw, and why is it significant in research studies?

<p>The right to withdraw allows participants to leave the study at any time, promoting their comfort and agency.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain why researchers must avoid risks greater than those experienced in everyday life.

<p>To ensure the safety and well-being of participants, minimizing harm is essential in adhering to ethical research standards.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How should researchers handle confidentiality with participant data?

<p>Researchers should use numbers or pseudonyms instead of names to protect personal information.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary strength of using a systematic review in research?

<p>It increases the validity of conclusions by incorporating a wider range of studies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main weaknesses associated with systematic reviews?

<p>Variability in research designs means the studies are not truly comparable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the peer review process, what factors are evaluated by the reviewers?

<p>Reviewers assess the methods, originality, validity of findings, and overall content of the article.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some potential outcomes of a peer review on a submitted article?

<p>The article may be accepted, accepted with revisions, returned for revision, or rejected.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can peer review hinder the publication of innovative research?

<p>It may slow down publication processes and prevent unusual work from being published.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative data?

<p>Quantitative data is numerical, while qualitative data includes non-numerical information like observations and verbal communication.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What issue arises from the increased accessibility of research on the internet?

<p>There is a rise in research being published without official peer review.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is peer review considered important in the field of research?

<p>It prevents faulty data from entering the public domain and checks the validity of findings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Research Methods in Psychology

  • Research methods are systematic procedures used to observe, describe, predict, and explain behavior and mental processes.
  • Methods include experiments, surveys, case studies, and naturalistic observations.
  • Data collection is designed to be objective and reliable.

Hypotheses

  • Hypotheses are statements predicting the results of an investigation.
  • They can be verified or disproved.
  • Four types of hypotheses exist:
    • Null (H0): Predicts no difference between conditions (e.g., "There will be no difference...")
    • Alternative (Ha or H1): Predicts a significant difference between conditions (e.g., "There will be a significant difference...")
    • One-tailed (directional): States the specific direction of the difference (e.g., higher, lower). Can be positive or negative correlation
    • Two-tailed (non-directional): Predicts a difference without specifying its direction (e.g., "There will be a difference...")

Sampling Techniques

  • Sampling is selecting a representative group from a larger population.
  • Representative samples accurately reflect the characteristics of the target population.
  • Generalizability refers to the extent findings from a sample can apply to the wider population.
    • Volunteer samples: Participants self-select.
    • Opportunity (convenience) samples: Participants are readily available.
    • Random samples: Each member has an equal chance of selection.
    • Systematic samples: Selecting every nth person.
    • Stratified samples: Subgroups are represented proportionally.
    • Snowball samples: Participants recruit further participants.
    • Quota samples: Participants are selected to meet specific quotas (e.g., a certain percentage of unemployed people).

Variables

  • Experiments involve independent and dependent variables.
    • Independent variable: Manipulated by the experimenter.
    • Dependent variable: Measured by the experimenter.
  • Extraneous variables: Factors that can affect the results, besides the independent variables.
  • Operationalizing variables: Defining variables in measurable terms.

Experimental Designs

  • Experimental design outlines how participants are assigned to conditions.
    • Independent groups design: Each participant is assigned to only one group. Randomization is often used.
    • Matched pairs design: Participants are matched on relevant characteristics before being assigned to groups.
    • Repeated measures design: Each participant participates in all conditions.
  • Controlling extraneous variables is crucial in experimental designs. Standardized procedures help ensure every participant experiences a condition the same way.
  • Demand characteristics: Participants' awareness of the study's aims may influence their behavior.
  • Order effects: The order of conditions can influence participant performance. Counterbalancing can minimize this effect.

Case Studies

  • Case studies: In-depth investigations of individuals, groups, events, or communities.
  • Diverse sources of information are used.
  • Longitudinal studies follow participants over an extended period.

Correlational Studies

  • Correlation: A measure of the relationship between two variables.

  • Positive correlation: Variables change in the same direction.

  • Negative correlation: Variables change in opposite directions.

  • Zero correlation: No relationship between variables.

  • Correlation coefficients (e.g., Pearson's r, Spearman's rho): Numerical scores indicating the strength and direction of a correlation.

    • Strength of relationships are usually presented on a graph, as a visual or chart representation.

  • Correlation does NOT equal causation: A correlation between two variables does not necessarily mean one causes the other.

Interview Methods

  • Interviews: Structured or unstructured conversations.
    • Structured: Standardized questions in a set order.
    • Unstructured: Open-ended questions, allowing participants to elaborate.

Questionnaire Methods

  • Questionnaires: Written interviews used to collect data from multiple participants efficiently.
    • Open questions: Encourage detailed responses.
    • Closed questions: Limit responses to specific options.

Observations

  • Observations: Observing and recording behaviors.
    • Covert: Participants unaware of observation.
    • Overt: Participants aware of observation.
    • Controlled: Observations in controlled settings.
    • Naturalistic: Observations in natural settings.
    • Participant: Researcher participates in the observed activity.
    • Non-participant: Researcher observes from a distance.

Pilot Studies

  • Pilot Studies: Small-scale preliminary studies to evaluate the feasibility of a larger study.
  • Identifying potential problems in the research design can save time and resources.

Research Design

  • Cross-sectional research: Comparing different groups of people at a single point in time.
  • Longitudinal research: Following the same group of people over a period of time.
  • Cohort studies: Tracking a population sharing a characteristic over time.
  • Triangulation: Using multiple research methods improves study validity.

Reliability

  • Reliability: Consistency of a measure.
    • Test-retest reliability: Consistency over time.
    • Inter-rater reliability: Consistency among different observers.

Validity

  • Validity: Accuracy of a measure.
    • Concurrent validity: Agreement with existing measures.
    • Face validity: Whether a measure appears to assess.
    • Ecological validity: Generalizability to real-life settings.
    • Temporal validity: Generalizability to other historical periods.

Meta-Analysis

  • Meta-analysis: Combining findings from multiple studies.
  • Provides a more comprehensive and objective evaluation of available data.

Peer Review

  • Peer review: Evaluation of research by experts in the field.
  • Ensures quality and validity of research before publication.
  • May prevent flawed or fraudulent research from entering the public domain.

Types of Data

  • Quantitative data: Numerical data (e.g., reaction time, score on a test).
  • Qualitative data: Non-numerical data (e.g., descriptions, interviews).

Features of Science

  • Empirical method: Relies on observation and experience.
  • Replicability: Ability to reproduce results.
  • Falsifiability: Open to being disproven.
  • Paradigm: Set of shared assumptions and methods within a discipline.

Statistical Testing

  • Statistical tests help determine whether observed differences or relationships are likely due to chance or true effects.
  • Significance levels (e.g., p < .05) define a threshold for accepting a result isn't likely due to chance.

Ethical Issues

  • Informed consent: Participants understand the study and agree to participate.
  • Withdrawal rights: Participants may leave at any time.
  • Protection from harm: Studies should avoid causing physical or psychological harm.
  • Confidentiality: Maintaining participants' privacy.
  • Deception: Withholding information—should only be used when ethically justified and fully revealed to participants after.

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Research Methods In Psychology PDF

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This quiz covers various research methods used in psychology, including experiments, surveys, case studies, and observations. It also delves into hypotheses, types of hypotheses, and sampling techniques. Test your understanding of these essential concepts and their applications.

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