Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of using random selection in a sampling process?
What is the primary purpose of using random selection in a sampling process?
Which sampling method ensures that specific characteristics of the population are represented proportionally in the sample?
Which sampling method ensures that specific characteristics of the population are represented proportionally in the sample?
In an experimental study, what is the potential impact of confounding variables?
In an experimental study, what is the potential impact of confounding variables?
What is the distinction between independent and dependent variables in an experiment?
What is the distinction between independent and dependent variables in an experiment?
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Bias in research studies can result from which of the following practices?
Bias in research studies can result from which of the following practices?
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What sampling technique is most likely to yield a representative sample for surveys?
What sampling technique is most likely to yield a representative sample for surveys?
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In an experiment examining the effect of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance, what would likely be the independent variable?
In an experiment examining the effect of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance, what would likely be the independent variable?
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Which of the following best describes a confounding variable in a research study?
Which of the following best describes a confounding variable in a research study?
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What research bias occurs when participants alter their behavior because they know they are being observed?
What research bias occurs when participants alter their behavior because they know they are being observed?
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In a study to determine the effects of a new drug on anxiety levels, the dependent variable is which of the following?
In a study to determine the effects of a new drug on anxiety levels, the dependent variable is which of the following?
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Study Notes
Sampling
- Representative Sample: The goal of sampling is to select participants that accurately reflect the larger population being studied.
- Random Selection: This method increases the likelihood that a sample is representative. For example: when choosing a sample of 100 students out of 900 high schoolers, using their IDs would ensure random selection across different grades, ages, and genders.
- Stratified Sample: This approach ensures direct representation of specific criteria. For example: if a population of 1,000 people consists of 500 white, 300 black, and 200 Latino individuals you would select 50 white, 30 black, and 20 Latino people for a sample of 100. This allows the sample to accurately reflect the racial composition of the population.
### Experimental Method
- Confounding Variable: Any factor, other than the independent variable, that could influence the dependent variable in an experiment. It is important to eliminate confounding variables to ensure the validity of the experiment. For example: if testing the effect of sleep on performance, a confounding variable might be the food each person eats.
- Random Assignment: Dividing participants into control and experimental groups randomly. This minimizes biases and ensures both groups are as similar as possible before the experiment starts.
- Positive Correlation: When two variables increase together.
- Negative Correlation: When one variable increases, and the other variable decreases.
Correlation
- Correlation Does Not Mean Causation: A correlation between two variables does not necessarily mean one variable causes the other.
- Scatterplots: These are used to visually display the correlation between two variables. A perfect positive or negative correlation would be represented by a linear graph.
- Correlation Coefficient: Measures the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables. It ranges from -1 to +1, with -1 representing the strongest negative correlation and +1 representing the strongest positive correlation.
Other Kinds of Studies
- Naturalistic Observation: Studying behavior in its natural setting. For example: observing monkeys in the wild or children in a park.
- Case Study: An in-depth study of a single individual or small group. A limitation of case studies is that they may not be generalizable to a larger population. For example: studying Derek Paravicini, who is autistic and blind but is a brilliant pianist.
- Surveys/Interview: Asking people to report on their own attitudes and behaviors. While they can reach a large audience, surveys are not always accurate. Random sampling is crucial to ensure the best results.
Measures of Central Tendency
- Mode: The most frequently occurring value in a dataset.
- Mean: The average of a dataset, found by summing all values and dividing by the number of values.
- Median: The middle value in a dataset when arranged in order.
Measures of Variation
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Range: The difference between the highest and lowest values in a dataset.
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Standard Deviation: Measures how spread out the data is around the mean.
Intelligence and Income Distribution
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Intelligence Test Distribution: Often follows a normal curve, with most people scoring near the average.
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Income Distribution: Often skewed, with a larger proportion of people earning lower incomes and fewer people earning higher incomes.
Ethics in Psychology
- Milgram's Obedience Test: Demonstrates ethical concerns. Participants were told to administer electric shocks to a person, who was actually an actor. The study explored obedience to authority, but caused anxiety and distress among participants.
- Ethical Guidelines for Studies: Informed Consent, Do No Harm, Debriefing, Confidentiality, and Right to Withdraw.
- Deception: Can be ethically acceptable in studies if it is necessary and the participant is debriefed after the study.
Experimental Bias
- Experimental Bias: An unconscious tendency for researchers to treat participants differently based on their awareness of the experiment. For example: a researcher who dislikes drug users might unintentionally treat the drug-using group differently than the non-drug-using group.
- Subject Bias: Participants altering their behavior because they know they are being observed. This can be reduced by using a single-blind procedure, where participants are unaware of the study's purpose.
- Hawthorne Effect: People working harder when they know they are being observed. It highlights the importance of a control group to isolate the effects of the independent variable.
Double-Blind Procedure
- Double-Blind Procedure: Both the researchers and participants are unaware of who is in the control or experimental group. This helps minimize experimental bias and subject bias, making placebos more effective. For example: in a drug trial, both participants and researchers are unaware of who receives the actual drug and who receives a placebo.
Placebo Effect
- The placebo effect occurs when participants experience a positive effect, even when receiving a sham treatment. This highlights psychological factors and the importance of controlling for subject bias.
Correlational Studies
- Correlation: Describes the relationship between two variables, which can be positive, negative, strong, or weak.
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Description
This quiz covers the essential concepts of sampling techniques and the experimental method. Learn about representative samples, random selection, stratified sampling, and confounding variables. Test your understanding of how to design effective studies in research.
