Chapter 2

Question 1

What is empiricism?

Answer 1

Knowledge from observation

Empiricism emphasizes the role of experience and evidence in the formation of ideas, rather than relying solely on intuition or revelation.

Question 2

Define theory in the context of scientific research.

Answer 2

Explanation of behavior/events

Theories provide a framework for understanding phenomena and guiding further research.

Question 3

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 3

Testable prediction

Hypotheses are formulated based on theories and are subjected to testing through research.

Question 4

What is an operational definition?

Answer 4

Exact definition of how a variable is measured

Operational definitions are crucial in research for clarity and replicability.

Question 5

What is the independent variable (IV) in an experiment?

Answer 5

Manipulated variable

The IV is the factor that researchers change or control in an experiment to test its effects.

Question 6

What is the dependent variable (DV) in an experiment?

Answer 6

Measured variable

The DV is the outcome that is measured to assess the impact of the IV.

Question 7

What is random assignment?

Answer 7

Reduces bias

Random assignment helps ensure that participants have an equal chance of being assigned to any group, reducing pre-existing differences.

Question 8

What is a strength of experimental research?

Answer 8

Cause-effect conclusions

Experiments allow for the determination of causal relationships between variables.

Question 9

What is a weakness of experimental research?

Answer 9

Artificial, ethical/practical limits

Experiments may not reflect real-world scenarios and can be constrained by ethical considerations.

Question 10

What is naturalistic observation?

Answer 10

Watch behavior in real world

This method involves observing subjects in their natural environment without interference.

Question 11

What is a case study?

Answer 11

In-depth on one/few subjects

Case studies provide detailed information but may lack generalizability.

Question 12

What is a survey?

Answer 12

Self-report (questionnaires/interviews)

Surveys gather data from individuals about their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.

Question 13

What does the correlation coefficient (r) indicate?

Answer 13

Range: -1.0 → +1.0

The value of r indicates the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables.

Question 14

What does a correlation coefficient closer to |1| signify?

Answer 14

Stronger correlation

The closer the value is to 1 or -1, the stronger the relationship between the variables.

Question 15

True or False: Correlation implies causation.

Answer 15

False

Correlation does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

Question 16

What are the measures used in descriptive statistics?

Answer 16

Mean, median, mode; range, SD

These measures summarize and describe the characteristics of a dataset.

Question 17

What does p < .05 indicate in inferential statistics?

Answer 17

Statistically significant

This threshold suggests that the results are unlikely to be due to chance.

Question 18

What is replication in research?

Answer 18

Repeat study to confirm

Replication is essential for verifying the reliability of research findings.

Question 19

What is meta-analysis?

Answer 19

Combine many studies

Meta-analysis synthesizes findings from multiple studies to draw broader conclusions.

Question 20

What is sampling bias?

Answer 20

Unrepresentative sample

Sampling bias occurs when the sample does not accurately reflect the population being studied.

Question 21

What is the placebo effect?

Answer 21

Expectations change outcomes

The placebo effect occurs when participants experience changes due to their expectations rather than the treatment itself.

Question 22

What is experimenter bias?

Answer 22

Expectations influence results

Experimenter bias can skew results if researchers inadvertently affect participants’ responses.

Question 23

What is a double-blind procedure?

Answer 23

Fix for experimenter bias

In a double-blind study, neither participants nor researchers know who is receiving the treatment to prevent bias.

Question 24

What is a key ethical consideration for human research participants?

Answer 24

Informed consent

Participants must be fully informed about the nature of the research and consent to participate.

Question 25

What does limited deception mean in ethical research?

Answer 25

Must debrief ## Footnote Limited deception may be used, but participants should be debriefed afterward to explain the true nature of the study.

Question 26

What is a key ethical consideration for animal research?

Answer 26

Humane treatment ## Footnote Animals must be treated humanely and provided with proper housing and care during research.

Question 27

What is the importance of justified purpose in animal research?

Answer 27

Ensures ethical standards ## Footnote Research involving animals must have a clear scientific goal that justifies the use of animals.