Chapter 2

Question 1

Goals of Reading and Evaluating Scientific Research

Answer 1

-Emphasis on critical thinking
-Objectivity

Question 2

Quality Scientific Research

Answer 2

-Based on objective, valid and reliable measurements
-Is generalizable
-Uses techniques to reduce bias
-Is public
-Can be replicated

Question 3

Objective Measurements

Answer 3

Consistent measurements across instruments and observers

Question 4

Validity

Answer 4

Degree to which an instrument or procedure measures intended measurements

Question 5

Reliability

Answer 5

Consistency in measurements across multiple observations or points in time

Question 6

Tips for Generalizability

Answer 6

-Use large sample size
-Random vs convenient
-Natural environment (Want to be as natural as possible)

Question 7

Examples of Bias

Answer 7

-Researcher Bias
-Subject / Participant Bias
-Hawthorne Effect (change in behaviour due to being observed)

Question 8

Reducing Bias

Answer 8

-Anonymity, confidentiality, placebo
-Using ‘blind’ procedures

Question 9

Single Blind Study

Answer 9

Participants don’t know purpose or treatment/condition they have

Question 10

Double Blind Study

Answer 10

Both participants and experimenters don’t know exact treatment/ conditions

Question 11

Publicity

Answer 11

Publishing in academic journals

Question 12

Replication Crisis

Answer 12

-Older studies are hard to replicate and/or give differing results
-publication bias (pressure for exciting results, reduced motivation for replication of research)

Question 13

Poor Scientific Research Traits

Answer 13

1. Untestable hypothesis (unfalsifiable)
2. Anecdotal/reliant on subjective experience
3. Biased selection on data (selective data reporting)
4. Reliance on authority, not scientific evidence
5. Reliance on common sense, not scientific evidence

Question 14

Descriptive Research

Answer 14

-Qualitative Research: Examines issue/behaviour without numerical measurement
-Quantitative Research: Examines issue/behaviour with numerical measurement/statistics

Question 15

Case Studies

Answer 15

An in depth report about the details of a specific case

Question 16

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 16

Unobtrusively observing and examining behaviour in its natural environment

Question 17

Surveys and Questionnaires

Answer 17

-face to face interviews
-phone surveys
-paper and pencil tests
-web based questionnaire
-allows assessment of attitudes, opinions, beliefs and abilities
-Note: participant bias, validity (questions giving answers to right things), questionable truthfulness

Question 18

Correlation Research

Answer 18

-Measuring degree of association between 2+ variables
-positive (🔼🔼 🔽🔽)
-negative (🔼🔽)
-magnitude ranges from -1(negative correlation) to 1(positive correlation)
-0 = no correlation

Question 19

Problems of Correlation Research

Answer 19

-Third variable (Something else could be the cause)
-Spurring correlations (coincidental correlation)

Question 20

Experimental Research Design

Answer 20

-Random assignment for test groups (sample divided into groups with equal likelihood for placement in each experimental condition)
-increased experimental control

Question 21

Types of Experimental Research

Answer 21

-Between-Subjects design
-Within-Subjects design

Question 22

Between-Subjects Design

Answer 22

Compares performance/score between different groups
-Treatment group vs non-treatment group at the same time

Question 23

Within-Subjects Design

Answer 23

The same participants experience all treatments
-Treatment 1 vs Treatment 2 at different times

Question 24

Quasi-Experimental Research Designs

Answer 24

-not random assignment
-groups being compared are selected based on pre-determined characteristics

Question 25

Strengths and Limits of Each Research Design

Answer 25

Case Studies-Detailed, but not generalizable (single subject focus)

Naturalistic Observation- Detailed description of subjects in natural environment, but poor control over influential variables

Surveys/Questionnaires- Quick, convenient, large sample size, poor control and uncertain honesty

Correlation Studies- Shows strength of relationship between variables, but no cause and effect

Experiment- Tests for cause and effect, good control, but risk of not being general to real-world situations

Question 26

Research Ethics Board (REB)

Answer 26

Committee of researchers and officials at an institution responsible for protection of human research participants
-risks must be outweighed by benefits
-no great harm for participants, or prevention for harm

Question 27

Examples of Bad Conduct

Answer 27

-Little Albert
-Milgram’s Obedience Studies
-Stanford Prison Experiment

Question 28

Ethics

Answer 28

-Informed consent
-Debriefing must occur after study, especially with deception
-Anonymity and confidentiality
-Collection, storage, reporting of data
-Animal welfare (check with animal ethics board)

Question 29

Hypothesis Test

Answer 29

A statistical method of evaluating whether differences are meaningful

Question 30

2 Possible Outcomes to Experiments

Answer 30

-null hypothesis: no significant difference
-experimental/alternative hypothesis: significant difference

Question 31

Statistical Significance

Answer 31

If probability (p) of results being chance is 5% or greater (p > 0.05), results are not significant

Otherwise, results are significant