Research Methods

Question 1

Scientific Paradigm

Answer 1

a commonly accepted view about a subject

Question 2

what is something all psychologists can agree on

Answer 2

all agree that the scientific method serves as the unifying foundation for the science of psychology

Question 3

what are the three lessons learnt from Clever Hans

Answer 3

Lesson 1: the value of skepticism

Lesson 2: the value of controlled experimentation

Lesson 3: observer-expectancy effects

Question 4

Explain the value of skepticism (lesson 1)

Answer 4

-Funks was able to learn the truth about hand because he was skeptical

-scientists attempt to disprove theories rather than to prove them

Question 5

Explain the value of controlled experimentation (lesson 2)

Answer 5

• careful observation under controlled conditions is an important aspect of the
  -funks identified the conditions where Hans could answer and could not answer questions (the cues)

Question 6

Explain the Observer-expectancy Effects (lesson 3)

Answer 6

-observers may unintentionally communicate to subjects on their expectations which can possibly change the results

eg. taking and oral quiz and knowing your doing good because of the facial expressions of the person giving the quiz

Question 7

What are the 6 steps of the scientific method

Answer 7

1. identify the problem
2. Gather Information
3. Generate a Hypothesis
   4..Design and Conduct Experiments
4. Analyze the Data and formulate Conclusions
5. Restart the Process

Question 8

what is Descriptive Research

Answer 8

• describing behavior in natural settings and ALL variables are measured
• there is no manipulation and extraneous factors are not controlled

Question 9

what is the difference between Naturalistic Observation and Participant Observation

Answer 9

naturalistic = you watch and learn without manipulating variables (just watching)

participant = the researcher actually interacts with the population of interest instead of just watching

Question 10

Why do we have Case Studies

Answer 10

because for studying conditions that are so rare, it would be impossible to find a large sample of individuals with the same condition
you are only looking at 1 person but gathering a LOT of data

Question 11

What are some DISADVANTAGES for case studies

Answer 11

• they cannot be used as evidence for theories but can inspire the formation of a theory or a hypothesis
• researcher bias
  -cant be generalized to everyone because its usually done on abnormal people
• poor method of determining cause-and -effect relations

Question 12

what is Survey research and what is the “representative sample”

Answer 12

survey research is a type of research that uses questions to get specific information from a group of people

You can study the entire population so you need a representative sample that represents the important characteristics of the population

Question 13

what are correlational studies

Answer 13

looking at the relationship and strength between two or more variables

1. the researcher measures one variable (x)
2. the researcher measures a second variable (y)
3. the researcher statistically determines whether x and y are related

Question 14

what are some PRO’s about correlational studies

Answer 14

• you can identify the possible relationship between to variables
• can show the strength of the relationship
• identifies “real-world” situations

Question 15

what are some CONS about correlational studies

Answer 15

• you can’t assume that a cause-effect relationship exists because your not manipulating any variables
• relationship may be due to a third unmeasured variable
• shows association not cause

Question 16

what are 3 characteristics of experimental methods

Answer 16

• testing theories through controlled experiments (only manipulate 1 variable)
  -can establish a cause and effect relationship
• hypothesis driven

Question 17

what is the difference between the independent and dependant variable

Answer 17

independent = what the experimenter changes

dependant = dependant on the independent variable (what the participant does)

Question 18

what is a stratified random sample

Answer 18

people are divided into categories and a few are taken from each

Question 19

what is the difference between “between subjects” and “within subjects”

Answer 19

between = each group in the experiment is composed of a different set of participants and each group gets a different treatment

within = each participant is exposed to ALL conditions of the independent variable

Question 20

Explain the ABA design

Answer 20

(A) - the participant is tested in the firs condition

(B) - the participant is tested in the second condition where you manipulate something (intervention phase)

(A) - back to the original condition (reversal phase)

Question 21

what is a problem with the ABA (reversal) design

Answer 21

the removal of treatment B
- if the treatment is working for the better, it isn’t ethical to stop the treatment
- or the variable (B) may have a big effect and after the treatment is removed and it doesn’t go back to how it was

Question 22

what is the Multiple Baseline Design

Answer 22

where you have more than one participant and you introduce the treatment at different times for each

this way you can be more certain that it was the treatment that caused the change

Question 23

what is Internal Validity

Answer 23

when the experiment is free from errors and any difference in measurement is due to the independent variable and nothing else
(the experiment is valid)

Question 24

what is External Validity

Answer 24

when research results from an experiment can be inferred externally and outside the experiment
(valid externally)

Question 25

What is the "Observer/Experimenter Expectancy Effect"

Answer 25

where the researchers or observers unintentionally influence participants by sending signals unintentionally

Question 26

how do we fix the Observer/Experimenter Expectancy Effect

Answer 26

by keeping the observer blind to what condition the participant Is in as well as the participant (double blind procedure)

Question 27

What is the participant/subject expectancy effect

Answer 27

where subjects might act a certain way just because they are expected to act that way instead of being real and natural

Question 28

what is "replication"

Answer 28

repeating a study to determine whether the original findings can be duplicated

Question 29

What is Principal A in the ethical principles

Answer 29

Beneficence and Nonmaleficence - the benefits should outweigh the cost subjects might experience

Question 30

What is Principal B of the ethical principles

Answer 30

Fidelity and Responsibility - researchers should be honest and reliable with their participants

Question 31

What is Principle C in the ethical principals

Answer 31

Integrity psychologists should promote accuracy, honestly, and truthfulness

Question 32

What is Principal D in the ethical principles

Answer 32

Justice - don't exclude certain groups from research - there should be fairness and just

Question 33

What is Principal E in the ethical principles

Answer 33

Respect for peoples Rights and Dignity - psychologists should respect the dignity and worth of all people and their rights to privacy

Question 34

What is the role of "Internal Review Boards" (IRB's)

Answer 34

to review and assess whether or not a research project will be carried out it has to match the general Ethical Principles

Question 35

What is Deception

Answer 35

when participants are not made fully aware of the specific purposes of the study or are misinformed

Question 36

What is Debriefing

Answer 36

where the purpose of the experiment is told to the participants as soon as the study protocol permits

Question 37

what is the Mode, Median, And Mean

Answer 37

Mode = the most occurring value Median = the middle data point Mean = the average

Question 38

what is the 5% rule

Answer 38

if the probability of an event is less than 5% then it is considered 'Rare"