research methods

Question 1

what is a psychological construct

Answer 1

A hypothetical attribute or mechanism used to explain or predict behaviour in a theory

Question 2

what are the 5 principles of scholarly code?

Answer 2

1. Informed Consent
2. Deception
3. Debriefing
4. Nonhuman Animal Subjects
5. Scholarly Integrity.

IDDNS

Question 3

what are the steps of the research process in order? (8)

Answer 3

1. research q. & hyp
2. define var & measurement
3. study design
4. sampling
5. data collection
6. analyse data
7. develop conc & report findings
8. think critically & refine hyp

Question 4

method of tenacity relates to info accepted on the basis of….

Answer 4

hunch/gut feeling

Question 5

the method of authority involves people relying on…

Answer 5

info/answers from an EXPERT in the subject area

Question 6

why can the method of authority be biased/not provide accurate info?

Answer 6

ans obtained could reflect subjective, personal opinion instead of TRUE EXPERT KNOWLEDGE

Question 7

2 ways to check validity of method of authority info

Answer 7

1. evaluate source info itself : is person rlly an expert, objective or subjective info?
2. evaluate info itself : does info seem reasonable etc

Question 8

the rational method involves…

Answer 8

seeking ans by logical reasoning

Question 9

the empirical method involves using…

Answer 9

observation/direct sensory experience to obtain knowledge

Question 10

define a construct

Answer 10

hypothetical/intangible attribute that are theorised to underlie observable behaviour.

Question 11

constructs are not directly ____ or ____

Answer 11

OBSERVABLE OR MEASUREABLE

Question 12

operational definition refers to the process of …

Answer 12

defining & measuring an UNOBSERVABLE construct INDIRECTLY

Question 13

how does one operationalise the construct?

Answer 13

research indirectly be measuring its ASSOCIATED observable behaviours/exp

Question 14

research q.s are a …..

Answer 14

broad q., idea or problem you want to investigate

Question 15

refining a research q. forms a ____ ____ AKA ____

Answer 15

TESTABLE STATEMENT, HYPOTHESIS

Question 16

Hypotheses are….

Answer 16

logical specific, testable, refutable & predictive statements abt what will happen in a psychological study

Question 16

nominal var are … (2)

Answer 16

• sets of categories
• no intrinsic ordering

Question 17

ordinal var are… (3)

Answer 17

• values assigned to indicate order
• don’t tell the diff of magnitude b/w points on a scale
• e.x running race (1st, 2nd, 3rd)

Question 18

interval var are… (3)

Answer 18

• # to indicate an ACTUAL AMOUNT of smth
• no real zero (doesn’t mean there is a COMPLETE ABSENCE of smth, arbitrary)
• e.x thermometer

Question 19

ratio scale var are…

Answer 19

• # indicates an ACTUAL AMOUNT of smth
• equal units of measurements separate each score on scale
• has a REAL ZERO POINT
• e.g ruler to measure dist

Question 20

cont var allow ___ values, discrete var allow only ___ values

Answer 20

FRACTIONAL VALUES
WHOLE VALUES

Question 21

what are the 5 types of exp design

Answer 21

1. descriptive
2. correlational
3. experimental
4. quasi-experimental
5. non-experimental

Question 22

desc descriptive studies + e.x (4)

Answer 22

• description & measurement of the natural state of an indv
• no experiment (nothing is manipulated)
• focus: OBSERVE ONLY
• e.x: measure height in class, what is typical of height in cm

Question 23

desc correlational studies + e.x (5)

Answer 23

• investigate r/s b/w var (NOT CAUSE & EFFECT)
• no experimentation, var observed as they NATURALLY exist
• assess PRESENCE of association b/w var (if exist)
• CANNOT investigate C&E OR which var influences the other in the r/s
• e.x: var 1: time spent exercising, var 2: happiness questionnaire score

Question 24

desc experimental studies + e.x (3)

Answer 24

- AIM: determine C& E in r/s b/w vars - 2 features: manipulation of hypothesised IV & use of controlled exp to ^ internal validity - e.x: treating depression, (IV = treatment, DV = participants lvl of depression), randomly assign ppl to receive treatment or not

Question 25

desc quasi experimental studies + e.x (4)

Answer 25

- investigate/establish C&E w/in r/s - incl controls for extraneous vars - less stringent controls possible (can't obtain through evidence about C&E) - e.x: grps matched on demographics, only differ by WHATS BEING INVESTIGATED

Question 26

desc non-experimental studies + e.x (4)

Answer 26

- correlational, demonstrate that r/s b/w var exist but DON'T attempt to EXPLAIN c&e - observation of 2 grps & q var - grps observed in natural state w/o manipulation & are observed - e.x: are art students smarter than sci students (grp by faculty, give all IQ test, r/s: b/w faculty & evidence)

Question 27

what are the 4 principles of ethics?

Answer 27

1. merit & integrity 2. justice 3. beneficence 4. respect

Question 28

desc merit & how to test for it (2)

Answer 28

- research is justified by potential benefit to humanity - perform lit review

Question 29

desc integrity (2)

Answer 29

- research performed to well-founded principles of research conduct - report findings honestly & transparently even if hyp wasn't supported

Question 30

desc justice (4)

Answer 30

- incl & excl of participants is fair & equitable - no exploitation or unfair burden placed - benefits of participation is distributed fairly - fair & equitable access to benefits of research

Question 31

desc respect (3)

Answer 31

- holding regard for value of participants (culture, beliefs, welfare) - respect of confidentiality - empowering ppl to make decisions abt their participations & data if they contribute

Question 32

desc beneficence (3)

Answer 32

- consider risks & benefits - get consent, should involve benefits to participants or community from participating - risk from participation must be minimised & controlled

Question 33

SD is...

Answer 33

Average distance that scores spread out from the mean in distribution of data