research methods Flashcards
(10 cards)
why is the scientific method important in psychology?
The scientific method is essential in psychology because it helps overcome the limitations of intuition and personal experience, allowing for more reliable and objective conclusions.
What are the key steps in the scientific method?
- Observe a phenomenon: Begin by noticing a pattern or behavior of interest.
- Formulate a theory: Develop an explanation that organizes and explains existing facts and predicts future observations.
- Develop testable hypotheses: Formulate specific predictions about what will happen in a study.
- Design a study: Plan how to collect data to test the hypotheses.
- Collect and analyze data: Gather and organize the observations made in the study.
- Draw conclusions: Interpret the results and determine whether they support the theory.
- Refine the theory: Modify the theory based on the findings of the study.
What are the different types of research methods used in psychology?
- Descriptive Research: Aims to describe the characteristics of a population or behavior. Common methods include surveys, naturalistic observations, and case studies.
■ Correlational Research: Examines relationships between variables, but it cannot establish cause-and-effect relationships.
■ Experimental Research: The only method that allows for causal inferences by manipulating one variable (independent variable) and measuring the effect on another variable (dependent variable)
What is the third-variable problem in correlational research?
The third-variable problem refers to a situation where a relationship between two variables may actually be explained by a third, unmeasured variable that is associated with both
What are the three criteria for supporting a causal claim?
- Correlation: The two variables must be correlated.
- Temporal Precedence: One variable must occur before the other.
- No Plausible Alternative Explanations: The relationship between the variables should not be due to a third variable.
Explain random sampling and random assignment. How are they different?
- Random Sampling: Every member of a population has an equal chance of being selected for a study.
- Random Assignment: Participants are randomly assigned to different conditions or levels of the independent variable in an experiment
What are some ways to assess the quality of research?
- Construct Validity: Examines how accurately the operational definitions of variables capture the concepts being studied.
- External Validity: Determines how well the study’s findings can be generalized to other populations or settings.
- Internal Validity: Assesses whether the study can rule out alternative explanations for the observed relationship between variables
What are some ethical principles for research with humans?
- Informed Consent: Participants must be informed about the nature of the study and agree to participate voluntarily.
- Beneficence: Research should be conducted in a way that maximizes benefits and minimizes risks to participants.
- Justice: Research should be conducted fairly, with participants representing the population who will benefit from the findings.
What are some ethical principles for research with animals?
- Replacement: Researchers should use alternatives to animals in research when possible.
- Refinement: Research procedures should be modified to minimize distress for animals.
- Reduction: Research designs should use the fewest animal subjects possible.
How can researchers ensure high-quality research practices?
- Replication: Conducting studies more than once with new samples to increase confidence in findings.
- Open Data and Materials: Making data and study materials publicly available for others to review and replicate.
- Preregistration: Pre-registering research hypotheses and study designs before data collection to reduce biases in research reporting.
- Meta-Analysis: Mathematically averaging the results of multiple studies to provide a more robust estimate of an effect.
