Research Methods

Question 1

Quantitative Research

Answer 1

Uses numerical data and statistical analysis (e.g., experiments, surveys).

Question 2

Focuses on nonnumerical data (e.g., interviews, observations) to study subjective experiences.

Answer 2

Qualitative Research

Question 3

What is a Scientific Method

Answer 3

System of established principles and processes of scientific inquiry

Question 4

Representative Sample

Answer 4

A subset of a population that ACCURATELY reflects its characteristics.

Question 5

Observing behavior in real-world settings without interference (e.g., playgrounds).

Answer 5

Naturalistic Observation

Question 6

Laboratory Observation

Answer 6

Controlled setting where variables are manipulated (e.g., lab study on infant attention).

Question 7

Observer Bias

Answer 7

Researcher’s tendency to interpret data to fit expectations

Question 8

Case Study

Answer 8

In-depth analysis of one individual or phenomenon. It is often filled of case history of an individual

Question 9

fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Answer 9

Electromagnetic waves are used to construct images of a person’s brain tissue and biochemical activity

Question 10

Correlational Research

Answer 10

Examines relationships between variables (ranges from -1.00 to +1.00).

Question 11

Independent Variable (IV)

Answer 11

Manipulated factor in an experiment (e.g., drug dosage).

Question 12

Dependent Variable (DV)

Answer 12

Measured outcome affected by the IV

Question 13

Random Assignment

Answer 13

Assigning participants to groups randomly to avoid bias.

Question 14

Double-Blind Procedure

Answer 14

Neither participants nor researchers know who receives treatment

Question 15

Cross-Sectional Design

Answer 15

Compares different age groups at the same time (e.g., 5yo vs. 10yo).

Question 16

Longitudinal Design

Answer 16

Tracks the same individuals over time (e.g., 20 years).

Question 17

Cohort Effects

Answer 17

Differences due to shared historical/cultural experiences (e.g., COVID-19 generation

Question 18

Informed Consent

Answer 18

All participants must know what their research participation will involve and what risks might develop, participants must retain the right to withdraw from the study at any time and for any reason

Question 19

Debriefing

Answer 19

Process of providing participants with additional information about the study after their involvement is complete, often including revealing any deception or incomplete disclosure that occurred during the study.

Question 20

Ethnic Gloss

Answer 20

Overgeneralizing about ethnic groups (e.g., “All Latinos are Mexican”).

Question 21

Research focusing on subjective beliefs or experiences.

Answer 21

Qualitative Research

Question 22

A hormone linked to stress, measured in developmental studies.

Answer 22

Cortisol

Question 23

Assigning participants to groups without bias (e.g., flipping a coin).

Answer 23

Random Assignment

Question 24

A study tracking the same people from age 20 to 90.

Answer 24

Longitudinal Design

Question 25

A comparison group that receives no treatment in an experiment.

Answer 25

Control Group

Question 26

Manipulating data to achieve desirable results (unethical practice)

Answer 26

P-Hacking

Question 27

Combining cross-sectional and longitudinal methods.

Answer 27

Sequential Design

Question 28

_____ means acting to benefit others and promote their well-being, while ______ emphasizes the duty to avoid causing harm

Answer 28

Beneficence;Nonmaleficence

Question 29

Gender Bias

Answer 29

Preconceived notions about gender abilities.

Question 30

A number indicating the strength of a relationship between variables.

Answer 30

Correlation Coefficient

Question 31

______ research uses numerical data (e.g., surveys).

Answer 31

Quantitative

Question 32

The ______ variable is the outcome measured in an experiment

Answer 32

Dependent

Question 33

A ______ sample ensures all population members have equal selection chance.

Answer 33

Random

Question 34

______ observation occurs in controlled lab settings.

Answer 34

Laboratory

Question 35

A correlation of +0.80 indicates a ______ relationship.

Answer 35

Strong positive

Question 36

______ studies compare cultures (e.g., parenting styles in Japan vs. USA).

Answer 36

Cross-Cultural

Question 37

The ______ gland produces cortisol.

Answer 37

Adrenal

Question 38

______ design avoids cohort effects by tracking multiple age groups over time.

Answer 38

Sequential

Question 39

APA’s ______ principle requires honesty in reporting results.

Answer 39

Integrity

Question 40

______ is when participants answer questions to appear socially desirable

Answer 40

Social Desirability Bias

Question 41

It is a physiological measure that has been used for many decades to monitor overall electrical activity in the brain.

Answer 41

EEG (Electroencephalography)

Question 42

PET scans produce ______ images of organs/tissues.

Answer 42

3D

Question 43

Gene × Environment (G×E) studies explore how ______ interact.

Answer 43

Genetics and environment

Question 44

Operational definitions specify how to ______ a variable.

Answer 44

Measure

Question 45

Quasi-experiments lack ______ assignment.

Answer 45

Random

Question 46

Informed Consent

Answer 46

All participants must know what their research participation will involve and what risks might develop, participants must retain the right to withdraw from the study at any time and for any reason

Question 47

______ minimizes harm and maximizes benefits in research.

Answer 47

Beneficence and nonmaleficence

Question 48

The ______ effect occurs when researchers influence results unintentionally.

Answer 48

Experimenter Bias

Question 49

APA’s ______ principle ensures fairness in participant selection.

Answer 49

Justice

Question 50

______ involves misleading participants temporarily (must be debriefed)

Answer 50

Deception

Question 51

Confidentiality:

Answer 51

Researchers are responsible for keeping all of the data they gather on individuals completely confidential and, when possible, completely anonymous

Question 52

Fidelity and Responsibility

Answer 52

Establish relationships of trusts, upholding professional standards of conduct, cooperate with other professionals if needed to serve the best interests of the client, and strive to contribute their professional time, compensated or not

Question 53

Interview and Survey

Answer 53

The best and quickest way to get information about people is to ask them for it.

Question 54

To record how their day went, what they eat each day, or the times when they feel down

Answer 54

Diary or Log

Question 55

Standardized Test / Behavioral and Performance Measures

Answer 55

− Has uniform procedures for administration and scoring. − Many standardized tests allow a person’s performance to be compared with the performance of other individuals

Question 56

Heart Rate

Answer 56

Has been used as an indicator of infants’ and children’s development of perception, attention, and memory. It also served to observe the stress and anxiety of an individual

Question 57

Control Group

Answer 57

A comparison group that is as similar to the experimental group as possible and that is treated in every way like the experimental group except for the manipulated factor

Question 58

Double blind procedure

Answer 58

Neither participants nor experimenters know who is receiving the treatment and who is instead receiving an inert placebo.

Question 59

Cohort effects of cross-sectional studies

Answer 59

Show how different cohorts respond, but they can confuse age changes and cohort effects.

Question 60

Cohort Effects of longitudinal studies

Answer 60

Effective in studying age changes but only within one cohort.