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Chapter 1: Why study research methods and data analysis? Research methods and data analysis are essential for conducting rigorous, reliable studies, helping to make informed, evidence-based conclusions and decisions. What alternatives are there to the scientific method? Alternatives include intuition, authority/expert opinion, personal experience, cultural norms, and anecdotal evidence. How do scientists use empirical reasoning? Empirical reasoning involves basing conclusions on observation, experimentation, and evidence rather than theory alone. How is empirical reasoning used in behavioral research? Behavioral research relies on observing, measuring, and analyzing behavior to test hypotheses and draw conclusions based on data. How do extra-empirical factors come into play? Extra-empirical factors, such as cultural, ethical, and social influences, can shape how research is conducted, interpreted, and applied. What does behavioral research cover? Behavioral research investigates human and animal behavior, including cognitive processes, emotions, social interactions, and psychological disorders. How does research go from descriptive to relational to experimental? Research starts with descriptive methods (observing behaviors), moves to relational methods (examining correlations), and progresses to experimental methods (manipulating variables to test cause-and-effect). What are the characteristics of good researchers? Good researchers are curious, ethical, methodical, critical thinkers, able to communicate clearly, and open to feedback. Chapter 2: What is meant by a cycle of discovery and justification? It refers to the iterative process of discovering new information and justifying it through experimentation, analysis, and peer review. What are hypothesis-generating heuristics? These are mental shortcuts, such as analogy or pattern recognition, that help generate testable hypotheses. What is the potential role of serendipity? Serendipity can lead to unexpected, fortunate discoveries during research, though it shouldn’t replace systematic scientific inquiry. How can I do a literature search? Use academic databases like Google Scholar or PubMed, search with relevant keywords, and review abstracts and citations to find pertinent studies. What is the difference between a theory and a hypothesis? A theory is a broad, evidence-based explanation, while a hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction derived from that theory. How should I go about defining variables? Define variables conceptually (theoretical meaning) and operationally (how they will be measured in the study). What identifies “good” theories and working hypotheses? Good theories are falsifiable, simple, comprehensive, and well-supported by evidence. Working hypotheses should be specific, testable, and logically derived from existing research. What is meant by independent and dependent variable? The independent variable is manipulated in an experiment, while the dependent variable is measured to assess the effect of the independent variable. What belongs in my research proposal? A research proposal should include the introduction, research question and hypothesis, methodology (participants, procedure, materials), expected outcomes, and ethical considerations. Chapter 3: How do ethical guidelines in research function? Ethical guidelines ensure research is conducted responsibly, protecting participants' rights and well-being while promoting transparency and accountability. What is an informed-consent agreement, and when is it used? An informed-consent agreement provides participants with information about the study’s purpose, risks, and benefits, ensuring they voluntarily agree to participate. How are ethics reviews done and acted on? Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) review research proposals to ensure ethical standards are met, approving, modifying, or rejecting them based on ethical concerns. What are the obstacles to rendering “full justice”? Obstacles include resource constraints, biases, conflicts of interest, and lack of awareness about ethical issues. How can a relationship of trust be established? Trust is built through transparency, respect, clear communication, confidentiality, and ethical treatment of participants. How do scientific quality and ethical quality intertwine? Ethical research practices uphold scientific integrity by ensuring valid and reliable findings, whereas unethical practices can compromise both scientific and ethical quality. Is deception in research ever justified? Deception may be justified in cases where it’s necessary for the study and no alternative exists, provided the deception doesn’t harm participants, and they are debriefed afterward. What is the purpose of debriefing, and how is it done? Debriefing informs participants about the true purpose of the study and any deception used, ensuring transparency and addressing any potential harm or confusion. How is animal research governed by ethical rules? Animal research is regulated by guidelines that ensure humane treatment, minimize harm, and justify the use of animals, with alternatives sought whenever possible. What Ethical Responsibilities are there when writing up research? Ethical responsibilities include reporting data honestly, acknowledging sources, avoiding plagiarism, and being transparent about methodology, results, and any conflicts of interest. Dr. Andrews observes and writes down that there are 30 people in his train car with him: 15 are on their phones, 10 are reading books, and 5 are looking out the window. By observing and writing down information of his surroundings, Dr. Andrews conducted what type of research? Answer: a. Descriptive If Dr. Andrews went on to compare the color of shirt people on his train car were wearing with the activity they were doing, what type of research would he be conducting now? Answer: b. Relational When testing a theory, researchers should try and seek out information that disproves their assumptions. This is a process known as: Answer: d. Falsification Which of the following is an alternative to the scientific method? Answer: c. Method of Authority The Discover Phase is: Answer: d. The process by which initial beliefs are created. The birthday problem is an example of which hypothesis-generating heuristic? Answer: b. Paradox Use the prompt about Dr. Ivy’s study to answer the next set of questions: 7. What hypothesis-generating heuristic did Dr. Ivy employ? Answer: b. Analogical Thinking 8. What is the dependent variable in this study? Answer: b. The number of points scored 9. What is the independent variable in this study? Answer: a. Envisioning the ball going through the net 10.Before the participants played their game of basketball, Dr. Ivy told them everything they need to know about the study and had them sign a form saying they agree to take part in the study. What is this process known as? Answer: b. Informed Consent 11.Which of these guidelines was not included in the Belmont report? Answer: c. Truth 12.Deception is used in psychology: Answer: d. Only if the researcher has found no other way to conduct their experiment without deception 13.A theory is: Answer: a. An organized set of explanatory propositions connected by logical arguments and by explicit and implicit prior assumptions 14.When writing up her paper on the research she practiced, Dr. Ivy writes the statement: “If basketball players constantly envision the ball going through the hoop, then they will score more points than if they had not envisioned the ball going through the hoop.” This statement is a(n): Answer: b. Hypothesis

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