1. Research Methods Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is PSYCHOLOGY
The study of behavioral and mental processes.
3 that fall under the definition of psy?
- Behaviors,
- Emotions,
- Thoughts
How do psychologist conduct research? (In order)
- Ask a question
- Form hypothesis
- Data collection
- Data analysis
- Publish Findings
Variable
any characteristic or condition whose values can CHANGE
Variables are used..
to predict an outcome
Testable hypothesis
A PREDICTION that has been formulated specifically enough so that it is clear what OBSERVATIONS would confirm the PREDICTION and what OBSERVATIONS would challenge it
Operational Definition (Lecture def)
specific measurement that captures the variable of interest
Operational Definition (Textbook def)
a definition that translates the variable we want to the assess into a specific procedure or measurement.
Testable hypothesis (Lecture def)
Prediction that makes it clear what would support the hypothesis
Data
measurement or observations
Dependent variable (DV)
the variable that is measured or recorded in an experiment.
measured for effects of IV
Independent variable (IV)
the variable that the experimenter MANIPULATES as a basis for making predictions about the the dependent variable
If a scientist conducts an experiment to test the theory that a vitamin could extend a person’s life-expectancy, then..
IV= the amount of vitamin that is given to the subjects within the experiment. (This is controlled by the experimenting scientist.) DV = life span (being affected by the independent variable)
Population
the entire group about which the investigator wants to draw conclusions.
Sample
the subset of the population that the investigator studies in order to learn about the pop. at large.
Random sampling
a procedure in which every member of the pop. has an equal chance of being picked to participate in a study.
case study
an intensive study of one person
external validity
the degrees to which a study’s participants, stimuli, and procedures adequately reflect the world as it actually is.
correlation
the tendency to 2 variables to change together. If one goes up as the other goes up, the correlation is POSITIVE. If one goes up and the other goes down, the correlation is NEGATIVE.
reliability
the degree of consistency with which a test measures a trait or attribute.
validity
the extent to which a method or procedure measures what is supposed to measure.
quasi-experiment
a comparison that relies on already-existing groups
i.e., groups the experimenter did not create
correlation studies
studies in which the investigator analyzes the relationships among variables that were in place before the study, without manipulating those variables.
third-variable problem
the possibility that 2 correlated variables may be changing together only due to the operation of a third variable
