Research Methodology - Key Terms

Question 1

Psychology

Answer 1

The scientific study of behaviour and mental processes

Question 2

Behaviour

Answer 2

Everything that can be registered by an independent observer. Includes overt actions, gestures, facial expressions, verbal responses, etc.

Question 3

Mental Processes

Answer 3

“Behind the scene”. Internal patterns of information processing. We cannot observe them directly. Includes attention, perception, memory, thinking, etc.

Question 4

Theory

Answer 4

A statement used to summarise, organise, and explain observations. It’s an explanation for a psychological phenomenon. Can be used to make predictions about human behaviour.

Question 5

Hypothesis

Answer 5

A hypothesis makes a specific prediction about a specified set of circumstances. It is yet to be tested.

Question 6

Quantitative Research

Answer 6

Methodology that involves applying a unit or mathematical value to an observation or variable. Data is represented in the form of numbers.

Question 7

Independent Variable

Answer 7

The one variable being changed/manipulated by the researcher.

Question 8

Dependent Variable

Answer 8

The variable that measures the changes to the independent variable.