Chap 3 and 4 Flashcards
Define constant
(Not a variable)
A constant is something that could potentially vary but only has one level
Stays the same
What are the two types of variables?
Manipulated and measured
Define manipulated variable
Controlled levels by assigning participants to the different levels of that variable.
Define measured variable
They observe and record the levels of the variable
Can’t change it
Conceptual definition
When researchers are discussing their theories and when journalists write about research
Operational definitions
When they are testing heir hypothesis with empirical research
Define operationalization (of variables)
The process of turning a concept of interest into a measured or manipulated variable
What’s a claim
An argument someone is trying to make
What are the different kinds of claims?
Frequency- describe a particular rate or level of something (how frequent or common something is) they focus on one variable, always measured.
Anecdotal- they don’t report the results of a social science study; instead, they just tell us an illustrative story.
Association- Argues that one level of a variable is likely to be associated with a particular level of another variable. (Must involve two variables, variables are measured not manipulate and must correlate w each other
Causal- argues that one variable is responsible for changing the other. (cause, enhance, curb) one variable acts on the other, stronger statements. One variable manipulated other measured
What are the different types of association claims?
Positive association- high goes with high, low goes with low
Negative association- high goes with low, low goes with high
Zero association- no association between the variables
Curvilinear association- the level of one variable changes its patter as the other variable increases
How do you interrogate a frequency claim
Ask two of the big validities: construct validity and external validity
Define variable
Something that varies, must have at least two levels or values
What’s a construct validity? How do you interrogate it?
Construct validity concerns how accurately a researcher has operationalized each variable
Ask how well a study measured or manipulated variable
Are the operational variables used in the study a good approximation of the construct of interest
Define external validity
How well the results of the study generalize to, or represent people in context beside those in the study itself
The degree to which the results of the study generalize to some larger population as well as other situations
Find statistical validity
The extent to which those statistical conclusions are accurate and reasonable
How well a study minimizes the probability of two errors including that there is an effect when in fact there is none or concluding that there is no effect when in fact there is one
Define internal validity
In a relationship between one variable (A) and another (B), the degree to which we can say that A, rather than some other variable (such as C) is responsible for the effect on B
Should be able to re out alternative explanations for the association
When interrogating a claim what are the three rules for causation? (Between variable A and B)
Covariance- As A changes, B changes; for example, as A increases, B increases, and as A decreases, B decreases
Temporal precedence- A comes first in time, before B
internal validity- there are no possible alternative explanations for the change in B; A is the only thing that changed
What were the three kinds of ethical violations in the Tuskegee syphilis study?
- Harmed. They were not told about the treatment for the disease that could be cured
- Not treated respectfully. Subjected to painful and dangerous tests.
- Targeted a disadvantaged social group. Syphilis affected all ethnicities but only African Americans were chosen for the study.
What were the ethical questions in the milgram experiment?
- was it ethical of milgram to put unsuspecting volunteers through such a stressful experience?
- concerns the last effects of the study
What the the Belmont report?
In 1976 a commission of physicians, ethicists, philosophers, scientists, and other citizens gathered
-for an intensive discussion of basic ethical principles that researchers should follow as they conduct research with human participants
Guiding principles: respects for persons, beneficence, and justice
Consider ethical guidelines, local institutional policies, and federal laws
What is respect for persons?
Two provisions:
1) participants in research should be treated as autonomous agents: they should be free to make up their own minds about whether they wish to participate in the study. (Informed consent)
2) some people are entitled to special protection
Define and explain the principle of beneficence?
Researchers taking precaution to protect research participants from harm and ensure their well being
Define and explain the principle of justice
Calls for a fair balance between the people who participate in research and the people who benefit from it
Researchers might first ensure that the participants involved in a study are representatives of the type of people who would also benefit from its results
Why was the The APA ethical principle made?
Written by the American psychological association (APA)
The apa chose to develop its own ethical principles and standards so psychologists would have guidelines for their three separate roles: scientist, professor/educator, therapist (practitioner)
