PSYCH Research Methods

Question 1

Descriptive Research

Answer 1

Data collection tries no to interfere with how data arises in the real world. Naturalistic Observation, Case Studies, Surveys, Self-Report.

Question 2

Correlational Research

Answer 2

Looks for relationships between variables.

Question 3

Experimental Research

Answer 3

Manipulates variable in a controlled manner to isolate causes of some phenomena.

Question 4

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 4

Recording behaviour in real life world settings without trying to manipulate the situation. Has high External Validity. (Jane Goodall)

Question 5

External Validity

Answer 5

The extent to which we can extend scientific findings to real-world settings.

Question 6

Case Studies

Answer 6

A research design that examine one person in depth over an extended amount of time. Demonstrates a given psychological phenomena. (Phineas Gage)

Question 7

Anecdote

Answer 7

A short, often interesting or amusing, personal experience. Are not evidence.

Question 8

Surveys & Self-Report

Answer 8

Using a questionnaire or interview to gather information about specific aspects of a participants background, experience, etc. Easy for large amounts of data.

Question 9

Positive Impression Management

Answer 9

Tendency to make ourselves look better than we actually are.

Question 10

Malingering

Answer 10

Tendency to make ourselves appear psychologically distributed to achieve some goal.

Question 11

Randome Sampling

Answer 11

A procedure that ensures every person in a population has an equal chance of being chosen to participate.

Question 12

Reliability

Answer 12

Consistency of measurment

Question 13

Test-restest Reliability

Answer 13

When a test/measure is administered it should produce the same result as when it was administered the first time.

Question 14

Interobserver Reliability

Answer 14

Two or more people using the same test/measure should arrive at the same conclusion.

Question 15

Validity

Answer 15

The extent to which a measure assesses what it purports to measure.

Question 16

Correlational Designs

Answer 16

Used to examine the relationship between variables. Relies on the correlation coefficient.

Question 17

Correlation Coefficient

Answer 17

A measure of the degree to which two variables are related. -1 to +1, 0 means no correlation

Question 18

Illusory Correlation

Answer 18

Perception of a statistical association between two variables where non exists.

Question 19

Confirmation Bias

Answer 19

The tendency to seek out information that supports our hypotheses and deny, ignore, or distort information that contradict them.

Question 20

Availability Heuristic

Answer 20

When you estimate the likelihood of an occurrence based on the ease which it comes to mind.

Question 21

The Third Variable Problem

Answer 21

Two variables may be related to one another only because they are both causally related to a third variable.

Question 22

Errors Bars

Answer 22

Can give us a sense of variability around the mean, standard deviation, etc.

Question 23

Unsystematic Variation

Answer 23

Error.

Question 24

Statistical Significance (p < 0.05)

Answer 24

If the probability of obtaining the result is less than a pre-defined threshold. Doesn’t mean its significant on a practical level.

Question 25

Random Assignment

Answer 25

Randomly sorting subjects into the experiment groups.

Question 26

Confounding Variable

Answer 26

Any difference between the experimental and control group other than the independent variable.

Question 27

Blinding

Answer 27

A subject is unaware of what group they are in.

Question 28

Experimenter Expectancy Effect

Answer 28

A phenomenon in which a researchers' hypotheses lead them to unintentionally bias the outcome of a study.

Question 29

Double Blinding

Answer 29

When neither the researchers nor the subjects are aware of who's in the experimental or control groups.

Question 30

Demand Characteristics

Answer 30

Cues that participants pick up from study that allow them to generate guesses regarding the researcher's hypotheses

Question 31

Research Ethics Board

Answer 31

A committee of researchers and officials at an institution charged with the protection of human research participants. Make sure they abide by the rules of the Tri-Council Policy Statement.

Question 32

Informed Consent

Answer 32

The procedure of informing a potential volunteer in a study, and obtaining their consent without pressure.

Question 33

Deception

Answer 33

Purposely misleading experiment participants in order to maintain the integrity of the experiment.

Question 34

Anonymity

Answer 34

Data collected cannot be connected to individual participants.

Question 35

Confidentiality

Answer 35

Researchers cannot share specific data or observations that can be connected with an individual.

Question 36

Why do we use non-human animals ?

Answer 36

- Share an evolutionary history with other species. - Control heredity, learning - Practicality

Question 37

Nuremberg Code

Answer 37

The experiment should be designed so that the anticipated results will justify the performance of the experiment.

Question 38

The 3 Rs of Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC)

Answer 38

Replacement - avoid or replace the use of animals in an area where animals would otherwise have been used. Reduction - Fewer animals being used. Refinement - Minimize pain and distress.