Chapter 2

Question 1

Population vs Sample

Answer 1

Population: the total group a researcher wishes to study & draw conclusions about.

you can’t reach all of them, so you use a sampling frame to select a sample!

Question 2

Random Assignment

Answer 2

Participants have an equal chance of being assigned to either group

Question 3

What are the 5 steps of the scientific process

Answer 3

1) Formulate hypothesis
2) Design Study
3) Collect Data
4) Analyze Data
5) Publish Results

Question 4

Correlations (is not causation)

Answer 4

Examine extent to which variables are associated.
Correlations range from -1 to +1

Positive: as one variable increases, so does the other

Negative: as one variable increases, the other decreases

Zero: no systematic relationship between the variables

Question 5

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 5

Observing behaviour in natural setting without intervening

PRO: High external validity: findings generalize to the real world

CON: Low internal validity: ability to draw cause-and-effect inferences

Question 6

Case Studies

Answer 6

In-depth study of individual or group.

Used to study rare forms of brain damage or mental illness.
e.g. Milner & patient H.M.

PRO: Incredible amount of detail

CON: Lacks generalizability & highly subjective.

Question 7

SurveysorQuestionnaires

Answer 7

Most commonly used descriptive research method.

Questionnaires or interviews used to gather information about experiences or behavior.

E.g. personality traits, political affiliation, consumer behavior, criminal victimization.

Question 8

Experimental Research

Answer 8

Does X →Y?

Manipulate independent variable (IV): “Cause”

Measure effect on dependent variable (DV): “Effect”

Need random assignment!

Question 9

Experimental and Control Groups

Answer 9

Experimental group: participants who receive the treatment or manipulation of IV.

Control group – participants who do not receive the treatment or manipulation of IV.

Logic:
Two groups alike in all respects Manipulate independent variable for only experimental group.
Resulting differences must be due to the manipulation of the IV.

Question 10

Random Selection (Sampling)

Answer 10

Every person in the population has an equal chance of being chosen to participate.

Ideal: identify a representative sample of the population you are interested in.

Reality: Few studies meet this standard, most are non-random or severely biased!