Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary goal of science?
What is the primary goal of science?
What is the purpose of the scientific/research method?
What is the purpose of the scientific/research method?
Which of the following best describes a phenomenon that is indirectly observable?
Which of the following best describes a phenomenon that is indirectly observable?
What does it mean for a phenomenon to be measurable?
What does it mean for a phenomenon to be measurable?
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In the example of the researcher studying the effect of sleep on memory consolidation, what is the independent variable?
In the example of the researcher studying the effect of sleep on memory consolidation, what is the independent variable?
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In the example of the researcher studying the impact of social media use on self-esteem, what is the dependent variable?
In the example of the researcher studying the impact of social media use on self-esteem, what is the dependent variable?
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Which of the following best describes a variable?
Which of the following best describes a variable?
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Which option best exemplifies a quantitative variable?
Which option best exemplifies a quantitative variable?
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What kind of variable is "Gender" in the provided dataset?
What kind of variable is "Gender" in the provided dataset?
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What distinguishes the target population from the accessible population?
What distinguishes the target population from the accessible population?
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Which sampling method ensures that each individual in the population has an equal chance of being selected?
Which sampling method ensures that each individual in the population has an equal chance of being selected?
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Which sampling method relies heavily on the availability of participants rather than random selection?
Which sampling method relies heavily on the availability of participants rather than random selection?
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If a researcher is conducting a study on the effectiveness of a new medication, what is the independent variable (IV)?
If a researcher is conducting a study on the effectiveness of a new medication, what is the independent variable (IV)?
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When a variable influences both the independent variable (IV) and the dependent variable (DV), potentially distorting their true relationship, what is it called?
When a variable influences both the independent variable (IV) and the dependent variable (DV), potentially distorting their true relationship, what is it called?
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Researchers are investigating the relationship between stress levels and exam performance. They hypothesize that stress levels mediate the effect of study hours on exam performance. What is the mediator in this study?
Researchers are investigating the relationship between stress levels and exam performance. They hypothesize that stress levels mediate the effect of study hours on exam performance. What is the mediator in this study?
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A study observes that people who regularly eat breakfast tend to have lower body mass index (BMI). However, the researchers suspect that physical activity levels might be a confounding variable because they are related to both breakfast habits and BMI. What is the potential confounding variable?
A study observes that people who regularly eat breakfast tend to have lower body mass index (BMI). However, the researchers suspect that physical activity levels might be a confounding variable because they are related to both breakfast habits and BMI. What is the potential confounding variable?
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In the study investigating the relationship between regular exercise and lower depression levels, with sleep quality as a potential mediator, what could be a possible confounding variable?
In the study investigating the relationship between regular exercise and lower depression levels, with sleep quality as a potential mediator, what could be a possible confounding variable?
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If sleep quality is acting as a confounding variable in the relationship between exercise and depression levels, what could be a potential mediator?
If sleep quality is acting as a confounding variable in the relationship between exercise and depression levels, what could be a potential mediator?
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Flashcards
Goal of Science
Goal of Science
The primary aim is to acquire knowledge through observation, evaluation, and interpretation.
Scientific Method Purpose
Scientific Method Purpose
It systematically acquires, modifies, and integrates knowledge.
Indirectly Observable
Indirectly Observable
Phenomena detected using tools or instruments but not seen directly.
Measurable Phenomenon
Measurable Phenomenon
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Theory vs Hypothesis
Theory vs Hypothesis
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Quantitative Variable
Quantitative Variable
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Nominal Variable
Nominal Variable
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Dummy Variable
Dummy Variable
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Dependent Variable (DV)
Dependent Variable (DV)
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Confounding Variable
Confounding Variable
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Mediator
Mediator
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Sampling Frame
Sampling Frame
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Accessible Population
Accessible Population
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Simple Random Sampling
Simple Random Sampling
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Convenience Sampling
Convenience Sampling
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Ordinal Quantitative Variable
Ordinal Quantitative Variable
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Continuous Variable
Continuous Variable
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Target Population
Target Population
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Study Notes
Lecture 1: Introduction to Research Methods
- Primary Goal of Science: Acquire knowledge through observation, evaluation, and interpretation.
- Scientific Method Purpose: Systematically acquire, modify, and integrate knowledge.
- Indirectly Observable Phenomenon: Detected using tools or instruments.
- Measurable Phenomenon: Can be quantified or assigned a specific value.
- Example 1 (Sleep & Memory):
- Theory: Sleep improves memory consolidation.
- Hypothesis: Individuals sleeping 8 hours will perform better on a memory test than those sleeping 4 hours.
- Data Support: Supports the theory; the 8-hour group performed significantly better.
- Example 2 (Social Media & Self-Esteem):
- Theory: Excessive social media use negatively impacts self-esteem.
- Hypothesis: Individuals spending >3 hours daily on social media will have lower self-esteem than those spending <1 hour.
- Data Support: Does not support the theory; no significant difference in scores was found.
Lecture 2: Variables and Data Types
- Variable Definition: A characteristic or attribute that can vary or change.
- Quantitative Variable Example: Temperature.
- Nominal Variable Example: Types of fruit (e.g., apple, banana, cherry).
- Dummy Variable Definition: A binary variable (0 or 1) indicating the presence or absence of a characteristic.
- Dataset Example (Student Data):
- Variables: StudentID, Age, Score, Gender.
- Observations: 5 students.
- Qualitative Variable to Ordinal: Gender (Male/Female) needs no ordinal conversion given it does not denote ranking.
Lecture 3-4: Sampling Techniques
- Target Population: The entire group of individuals or objects relevant to the study.
- Accessible Population: The portion of the target population that is realistically available for study.
- Sampling Frame: A comprehensive list or database of individuals from the accessible population.
- Simple Random Sampling: Every individual has an equal chance of being selected.
- Convenience Sampling: Individuals are selected based on ease of access.
- Stratified Sampling: Subgroups (strata) within the population are represented proportionally in the sample.
- Cluster Sampling: Entire clusters (e.g., colleges) are selected, introducing potential bias.
- Example (Central State College):
- Population: All students at Central State College.
- Accessible Population: Students from three selected colleges.
- Sampling Frame: Lists of students from the three colleges.
- Sample: 90 students selected using proportionate stratified sampling. Calculations are needed for the specific stratas' sizes.
- Bias in Cluster Sampling: Randomly selecting entire colleges might not reflect the coding skills of the entire student population if certain colleges are known to differ.
- Example (Central State College):
Lecture 6: Independent and Dependent Variables
- Dependent Variable (DV): The outcome variable measured for change.
- Confounding Variable: An extraneous variable related to both the independent variable and dependent variable, potentially distorting their true relationship.
- Mediator: An intermediary variable explaining how an independent variable affects a dependent variable.
- Example (Exercise & Depression):
- Independent Variable (IV): Regular physical exercise.
- Dependent Variable (DV): Levels of depression.
- Mediator/Confounding?: Sleep quality is likely a mediator because better sleep quality may explain how exercise causes lower depression levels. Possible confounding: socioeconomic status.
- Bias example: If the exercise group also had better nutrition overall, this variable could also play a role.
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Description
Explore the foundational concepts of research methods in this introductory lecture. Learn about the scientific method, observable phenomena, and examine the theories and hypotheses related to sleep, memory, and social media's impact on self-esteem. This quiz will test your understanding of these essential topics.
