The Scientific Method in Psychology
37 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a control technique for experimenter effects?

  • Limiting experimenter interaction with participants
  • Standardized procedures
  • Training experimenters
  • Using a double-blind design (correct)

    • What is the term for findings that are consistent across cultures?

  • Etic (correct)
  • Homogeneous
  • Heterogeneous
  • Emic

    • Which of the following is an example of a participant effect?

  • Double-blind design
  • Experimenter bias
  • Standardized procedures
  • Demand characteristics (correct)

    • What is the main purpose of using control in an experiment?

    <p>To isolate the effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between the number of participants and sample homogeneity?

    <p>Fewer participants are needed for a more homogeneous sample (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a key principle of scientific research?

    <p>Interpretation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between an independent variable (IV) and a dependent variable (DV)?

    <p>The IV is manipulated, while the DV is measured (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for variables other than the IV that can potentially influence the DV?

    <p>Extraneous variables (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of random assignment in research?

    <p>To ensure equal chance of assignment to conditions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of statement is described as always being true but not useful for research?

    <p>Analytic Statements (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes inductive reasoning from deductive reasoning?

    <p>Inductive reasoning proceeds from specific to general. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What kind of research predicts the effect without specifying the direction?

    <p>Non-directional Research (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes features of carryover effects in an experiment?

    <p>Result from influences of participant's past experiences affecting their response. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of random assignment in experimental research?

    <p>To ensure each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any condition (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of statement is considered the most valuable for research?

    <p>Synthetic Statements (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of research strategy focuses on disproving the hypothesis?

    <p>Disconfirmational Strategy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are extraneous variables (EVs) in the context of experimental research?

    <p>Variables that can influence the dependent variable aside from the IV (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a synthetic statement?

    <p>It can be tested and may be proven false. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main limitation of the confirmational strategy in research?

    <p>It may lead to confirmation bias (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does randomization help in experimental research?

    <p>By distributing participant characteristics evenly across groups (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which reasoning process involves moving from general principles to specific predictions?

    <p>Deductive Reasoning (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which technique aims to distribute extraneous variables equally across different groups of participants?

    <p>Balancing (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key advantage of using 'repeated measures' in research?

    <p>Eliminates the influence of individual differences between participants. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a 'carryover effect' in research?

    <p>An effect caused by the order of conditions in a repeated measures design. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a technique used to address carryover effects?

    <p>Elimination (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which research type predicts a specific direction of the effect?

    <p>Directional Research (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a 'paradigm shift' in research?

    <p>A fundamental change in the underlying assumptions and methods of a field. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which participant selection strategy is most influenced by readily accessible participants?

    <p>Availability (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of research does not specify the direction of an effect?

    <p>Non-directional Research (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a key characteristic of the scientific method in psychology?

    <p>Intuition (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of 'control' in a psychological experiment?

    <p>To minimize the influence of extraneous variables on the dependent variable. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a study examining the effect of caffeine on memory performance, what would be the dependent variable?

    <p>The participants' scores on the memory task. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'replication with extension' refer to in the context of research confirmation?

    <p>Repeating the same study but adding new variables or conditions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of 'self-correction' in research?

    <p>Revising a hypothesis based on new evidence from a follow-up study. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT a factor considered in selecting appropriate levels of the independent variable (IV)?

    <p>The participants' preferences regarding the IV. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between 'pure replication' and 'replication with extension'?

    <p>Pure replication exactly repeats the original study, while replication with extension adds new elements. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is objectivity a crucial characteristic in psychological research?

    <p>To reduce the influence of subjective interpretations on research findings. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Random Assignment

    Ensures equal chance of assignment to study conditions.

    Hypothesis

    A testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

    Inductive Reasoning

    Reasoning that goes from specific observations to general conclusions.

    Demand Characteristics

    Participants' responses influenced by their perception of the study.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Non-directional Research

    Research that predicts an effect but not the direction of that effect.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Extraneous Variables (EVs)

    Variables other than the IV that may influence the DV.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Confounds

    A type of EV that varies systematically with the IV.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Synthetic Statements

    Statements that can be true or false, valuable for research.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Confirmational Strategy

    Research strategy that aims to confirm a hypothesis.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Disconfirmational Strategy

    Focuses on disproving a hypothesis; minimizes bias.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Directional Research

    Research that predicts a specific direction of the effect, e.g., "Group A will score higher than Group B".

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Paradigm Shifts

    Fundamental changes in the assumptions and methods of a research field.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Randomization

    Technique where each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any condition.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Elimination

    Removing extraneous variables completely from the study.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Counterbalancing

    Varying the order of conditions across participants to control for order effects.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Carryover Effects

    Influences from one condition that affect performance in another condition.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Participant Selection

    The process of choosing participants, crucial for study validity.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Objectivity

    The practice of using empirical measurements to minimize bias.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Confirmation

    The principle that emphasizes the need to replicate research findings.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Self-correction

    The process by which researchers revise hypotheses based on new evidence.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Control

    Isolating the effects of the independent variable in an experiment.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Independent Variable (IV)

    The variable that is manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Dependent Variable (DV)

    The variable measured to assess the effect of the independent variable.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Replication with extension

    Repeating a study while adding new variables or conditions.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Standardized procedures

    Procedures used consistently to collect data and reduce bias.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Research Question

    The question that drives the research and dictates participant type.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Number of Participants

    Depends on the sample's homogeneity; homogeneous samples need fewer participants.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Apparatus

    Equipment used to present the IV and measure the DV in research.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    DV Recording

    Accurate and objective measurement of the dependent variable.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Experimenter Effects

    Influences on participant responses caused by the experimenter's characteristics.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Etic vs Emic

    Etic: findings consistent across cultures; Emic: findings specific to one culture.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Study Notes

    The Scientific Method: Characteristics and Principles

    • Objectivity: Empirical measurements and standardized procedures are used to minimize bias and ensure findings are based on observable data, not subjective interpretations
    • Confirmation: Replication of prior research is crucial, either exact replication or replication with extensions to new variables/conditions. Replication is challenged by publication bias and complex studies.
    • Self-correction: Research acknowledges the possibility of errors and encourages revision of hypotheses, methods, or interpretations based on new evidence or critiques. Meta-analyses are crucial for synthesizing findings from multiple studies.
    • Control: Control is used to isolate the effects of the independent variable, ensuring only that variable differs between experimental conditions. Sophisticated statistical techniques are used to control for extraneous or confounding variables.

    The Psychological Experiment: Variables and Relationships

    • Independent Variable (IV): The variable manipulated or selected by the researcher to understand its effect on the dependent variable. The presumed cause
    • Dependent Variable (DV): The variable measured by the researcher to assess the effect of the independent variable. The presumed effect. Valid and reliable measurements are key.
    • Extraneous Variables (EVs): Variables other than the IV that could potentially influence the DV, potentially confounding the results. Controlling for EVs is crucial to determining the true effect of the IV

    Formulating and Testing Hypotheses

    • Hypotheses: Testable predictions about relationships between variables. Derived from a theory or observation. Directional (predicting a specific direction of the effect) and non-directional (predicting an effect but not the direction) hypotheses exist.
    • Types of Statements: Analytic statements are always true and are not useful for research. Contradictory statements are always false and are not useful for research. Synthetic statements can be true or false and are valuable in research.
    • Research Strategies: Confirmation strategies aim to confirm hypotheses while disconfirmation strategies aim to disprove them. Inductive reasoning moves from specific to general conclusions, and deductive reasoning moves from general principles to specific predictions.

    Controlling Extraneous Variables

    • Randomization: Ensures each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any condition. Reduces the influence of unknown extraneous variables
    • Elimination: Removing EVs completely from the study.
    • Constancy: Keeping EVs at a consistent value to control for known variables.
    • Balancing: Distributing EVs evenly across groups. Requires knowledge of the extraneous variables
    • Repeated Measures: Each participant is exposed to all conditions. Accounts for individual differences but can lead to potential order effects
    • Counterbalancing: Varying the order of conditions to control for order effects

    Participants in Research

    • Participant Selection: Choosing participants based on precedent (established types), availability, or research questions.
    • Number of Participants: The number needed depends on the similarity (homogeneity) within the sample.

    Apparatus and Measurement

    • Apparatus: The equipment used to present the IV and measure the DV.
    • DV Recording: Accurate and objective recording of the DV is important. Automation can help reduce experimenter bias.

    Experimenter and Participant Biases

    • Experimenter Effects: Experimenter characteristics and expectations can influence participant responses.
    • Participant Effects: Demand characteristics (participants' perception of the study's purpose) and good participant effect (participants trying to conform) influence responses.
    • Response Biases: Yea-saying and nay-saying are biases in participant responses

    Culture and Research

    • Etic: Findings consistent across cultures
    • Emic: Findings specific to particular cultures

    Facts to Memorize

    • Key terms (independent and dependent variables, extraneous variables)
    • Research methods (replication, control, randomization)
    • Hypothesis types (directional, non-directional)
    • Statistical concepts (variability, homogeneity, meta-analyses)
    • Bias considerations (experimenter bias, participant bias)

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Understanding Research Methods in Psychology PDF

    Description

    Explore the fundamental characteristics and principles of the scientific method as applied to psychological research. Test your knowledge on objectivity, confirmation, self-correction, and control in experiments. This quiz will help solidify your understanding of how psychological experiments are designed and conducted.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser