Chapter 2 Flashcards
(34 cards)
What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods?
Qualitative is interested more in the meaning of an experience whereas quantitative are designed to examine cause-and-effect relationships with defined variables.
What are the 3 goals of the “scientific enterprise”?
1) Measurement and description - how will it be measured?
2) Understanding and prediction - Make a hypothesis to compare relationship between variables.
3) Application and control
What is a “hypothesis”?
A tentative statement about the relationship of 2 or more variables.
What are “variables”?
Any measurable conditions, events, characteristics or behaviours that are controlled or observed in the study.
What are the 5 steps in a scientific investigation?
1) Formulate a testable hypothesis
2) Select the research method and design the study
3) Collect the data
4) Analyze the data and draw conclusions
5) Report the findings
What is an “operational definition”?
Describes the actions or operations that will be used to measure or control a variable.
What are “participants/subjects”?
The persons or animals whose behaviour is being systematically observed in the study.
What was Dutton/Arons hypothesis?
That fear/anxiety increased sexual attraction.
What is a “journal”?
A periodical that publishes technical and scholarly material, usually in a narrowly defined area of inquiry.
What are the 2 major advantages of the scientific approach?
1) Its clarity and precision
2) Its relative intolerance of error
What is an “experiment”?
A research method in which the investigator manipulates a variable under carefully controlled conditions and observes whether or not any changes occur in a second variable as a result.
Can experiments determine cause-and-effect relationships?
Yes.
What is the variable “X”?
The independent variable. A condition or event that is varied to see the impact on the dependent variable.
What is the variable “Y”?
The dependent variable. Usually a measurement of some aspect of behaviour.
What is the “experimental group”?
The subjects who receive some special treatment in regard to the independent variable.
What is the “control group”?
Similar subjects as the experimental group, however do not receive the special treatment that they do.
What are “extraneous variables”?
Any variables other than the independent variable that may seem likely to influence the dependent variable.
What are “confounding variables”?
Occurs when 2 variables are linked together in a way that causes directionality issues amongst them. (does x cause y or vice versa?)
What is it called when subjects also serve as their on control group?
Within-subjects design.
What is a “between-subjects design” study?
Separate subjects for the experimental and control groups. Used more frequently than within-subjects.
Is it possible to manipulate more than one independent variable in a single experiment?
Yes.
What is the main problem with experimental design?
They’re most often artificial (the conditions are ‘forced’ onto subjects).
What methods are included in descriptive/correlational research methods?
Naturalistic observations, case studies and surveys.
What is a naturalistic observation?
Researcher engages in careful observation of behaviour without intervening directly with the subjects or participants. Allows for much less artificial observations to be made.
