Research Methods⚗️ Flashcards
(60 cards)
History of Psychological science
Interest in human thought throughout history
Philosophy- no evidence, answering theoretical questions is difficult
19C Germany-empirical methods, paradigm shift from religion to science
4 key features of science
Determinism- systematic causes
Parsimony- simplest cause
Systematic empiricism-structured and organised
Testability- can be falsified using research techniques
Benefits of science
Systematic collection of data otherwise difficult to obtain by observation
Evidence supports answers and rules out others. Theories formed, validity
Improve the world through changes in policy
Research process
Generate research question-concepts, constructs of abstract ideas
Theory-general principle to explain phenomenon
Hypothesis- prediction tested in study
Study- identify population, recruit sample, Identify variables, design and measures
Collect data-ethical principles
Analyse data and interpret results - qualitative/quantitative
Answer research question-draw conclusions about population
Theory
Set of principles that explain a phenomenon, articulated factors and processes in a structured way e.g. flow chart
Theory’s role in the research process
Develops research question (if no empirical evidence, limited evidence or competing explanations)
Answer research question, provide rationale (draw on theory to explain other phenomena)
Results inform theory (disconfirm existing principles or add new ones)
Informs chance in practice and policy
Why rationales are needed
Strongest argument for hypothesis
- research is costly in time and resources
- research must contribute to literature
- cannot simply rely on previous research studies
3 types of rationales
Novel contribution to conceptual understanding- first evidence for causes and processes, tests competing explanations, replicate results exactly or conceptually
Novel contribution to methodology-improves materials and procedure
Novel contribution to practice-treatment and intervention
Two types of research question
Difference between groups (compare scores of groups)
Relationship between variables (see if individual’s scores on variables are related)
Null hypothesis
No effect
Experimental/alternative hypothesis
An effect
Non directional- difference between groups, relationship between variables
Directional-lower/higher scores between groups, positive/negative relationship between variables
Variation
Systematic and unsystematic
Participant responses vary, different scores in same group
Systematic- scores systematically differ (trend in variation) due to effect being investigated
Unsystematic-score variation due to error or random effect other than what is being investigated. Research cannot control it, always present
Aim and logic of null hypothesis testing
Unsystematic variation only= null hypothesis (no effect)
Logic of science, disconfirmation and falsifiability
If no evidence for null then conflicted support for H1 (systematic variation)
Probability
Extent to which we were correct to discredit the null
0-1
Populations
Set of individuals with characteristics under investigation
Samples
Selected individuals from the population to take part in study
Why samples are needed
Entire population cannot be sampled
Lack access to resources and time
Use results to make inferences about the population
Representative and not representative samples
Representative- unbiased, matches phenomenon in society
Not representative-biased, results differ from phenomenon in society
Sampling error
Difference between results found in sample and in population, how representative it is
What is sampling error influenced by
Sampling strategy
Size of sample
Sampling strategies
Random sampling-individuals randomly selected from list of entire population at same,e size
Stratified sampling-individuals randomly selected from relevant subgroups of the population
Opportunity sampling- individuals self select to take part in study to sample size
Categorical and continuous variable
categorical- Often IV, no numerical value, individual assigned to single category or group e.g. gender
Continuous-Often DV Scores can be ordered on a continuum e.g IQ
Experiments to determine differences between groups
Between participants- each participant to one condition (independent measures)compare scores between groups
Within participant-each participant in all conditions (repeated measures)scores between individual
True experiment- randomly assign individuals to IV, equal chance of being selected in any condition
Quasi experiment- non random assignment to condition, uses existing groups e.g. gender
Experiments to determine relationship between variables
Correlational- relationship between two continuous variables, linear (positive/negative)
Categorical- relationship between two categorical variables