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research methods part 3 Flashcards

(73 cards)

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1
Q

what are the 3 measures of central tendency ?

A

mean
median
mode

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2
Q

what does central tendency represent ?

A

averages
- gives information about the most typical values in a set of data

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3
Q

what is an advantage of using the mean ?

A

most sensitive of all measures
takes all scores into account

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4
Q

what is a disadvantages of using the mean ?

A

can be easily distorted by extreme values

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5
Q

what are the advantages of using the median ?

A

extreme scores don’t affect it
really easy to calculate

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6
Q

what is the disadvantages of using the median ?

A

less sensitive then the median
as doesn’t include all scores

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7
Q

what is the advantages of using the mode ?

A

really easy to calculate

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8
Q

what is the disadvantages of using the mode ?

A

it is a crude measure
- avoid using it
- can be the only measure used if categories involved

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9
Q

what is measures of dispersion ?

A

based on measure of spread
tell us how far scores are spread from each other

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10
Q

what are the 2 types of measures of dispersion ?

A

range
standard deviation

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11
Q

what does a larger range and standard deviation mean ?

A

the bigger the the score then wider the spread

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12
Q

what is an advantage of using the range ?

A

really easy to calculate

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13
Q

what is the disadvantage of using the range ?

A

it only takes in the 2 extreme values
so may be unrepresentative of the data as a whole

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14
Q

what is an advantage of using standard deviation ?

A

more sophisticated than the range
as a more precise measure of dispersion

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15
Q

what is a disadvantage of using standard deviation ?

A

can be distorted by an extreme value

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16
Q

what is low standard deviation ?

A

all the data is tightly clustered round the mean

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17
Q

what is high standard deviation ?

A

scores are widely spread
and not all the pps were affected in the same way

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18
Q

what are the 4 types of graphs ?

A

bar charts
histograms
line graphs
scattergraphs

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19
Q

what is a bar chart ?

A

used for plotting discrete data
the types of data don’t overlap in anyway

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20
Q

what is discrete data ?

A

discontinuous data
-it doesn’t continue after been measured
- gaps between the bars

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21
Q

what is a histogram ?

A

similar to a bar chart
but it uses continuous data so not discrete
- no gaps between the bars

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22
Q

what is a line graph ?

A

usually used to show change over time or trials

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23
Q

what is a scatter graph ?

A

shows the relationship between 2 variables

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24
Q

how does normal distribution occur ?

A

as if u measure certain variables the frequency of the measurements should form a bell shaped curve

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25
what does a normal distribution curve show ?
shows score that are symmetrical with the mean, median and mode at the highest peak
26
what are the 3 key features of a normal distribution ?
- all measures of central tendency at same point - symmetrical from the midpoint - dispersions of scores on either side of the midpoint is consistent and expressed as standard deviations
27
when does a skewed distribution curve occur ?
when data isn't symmetrical the data clusters towards one end
28
what is a left skewed distribution ?
it is negative its tail is to the left so most data is towards the right the mean is the lowest and mode is the highest
29
what is a right skewed distribution ?
it is positive it has a tail to the right so means most data is towards the left mean is the highest mode is the lowest
30
what happens to the median on a skewed distribution ?
always in the middle
31
what happens to the mode on a skewed distribution ?
always at the peak of the distribution
32
what happens to the mean on a skewed distribution ?
affected by extreme scores so gets dragged away from the centre
33
what are the 2 types of ratios ?
part to whole part to part
34
what is a part to whole ratio used for ?
1 st number is the condition being studied 2nd number is the total amount of pps c1; total no.
35
what is the part to part ratio used for ?
to show results for both conditions c1:c2
36
what is probability important for ?
statistical testing
37
what is a significance level ?
the point at which the researcher can be confident that they have found a significant difference or correlation in the data - so accept hypothesis and reject null hypothesis - all studies have one
38
what is the standard level of significance accepted in psychology ?
0.05 5% p< or equal too 0.05
39
what does p
the probability that the results were due to a fluke that the results could be due to a chance of it being a fluke
40
what is medicine significant level ?
0.01 1% p
41
can we prove a hypothesis is right for wrong ?
no can only be content with finding out how likely it is to be true
42
how do you analysis data ?
analyse using descriptive data do inferential testing/ statistics
43
what is descriptive statistics ?
all the measures of central tendency and dispersion
44
what does inferential testing/ statistics tell us ?
if are results are significant or not - helps us make inferences about the data
45
what do statistical tests provide ?
a way to determine which hypothesis we accept or reject - tell us the differences or relationships between variables due to chance or if they are statistically significant
46
when do we accept the research hypothesis ?
if statistically significant
47
what is an example of statistical tests ?
the sign test
48
what are the 3 conditions and reasons why u use the sign test ?
- looking for a difference - experiment used repeated measure design - data is nominal
49
what is nominal data ?
it can be organized into categories
50
what is the criteria for stats tests ?
- difference or correlation - design- RM, MP (related), IG (unrelated data) -level of measurement eg) nominal, ordinal, ratio, internal
51
what are the 2 components that the sign test gives ?
calculated value (s) that we compare w the critical value
52
for the results in a sign test to be significant what must happen ?
s value is less than or equal to the critical value
53
how do u calculate the sign test ?
- look at difference in columns - note down the positives or negative numbers - count up how many + and - - lowest number is the S value out of the 2 - then compare with the critical value
54
how do you find the N value ?
- the total number of pps but take away whichever ones were equal in both conditions
55
how do you calculate the critical value ?
to use the table you need the - significant level - number of pps - which type of hypothesis ( 1 tail or 1 tail )
56
which hypothesis is 1 tailed ?
directional
57
which hypothesis is 2 tailed ?
non-directional
58
what are the 3 major functions of peer review ?
-allocate research funding -validate the quality and relevance of research -suggests amendments and improvements
59
what is allocating funding involved in peer review ?
- peer review takes place before any research to decide if it is worth investigating - like medical research council can be involved in help
60
why is validating the quality and relevance of research involved in peer review ?
- as reviewers examine all aspects of the submitted report eg) methods - to check accuracy and quality
61
why is suggesting amendments and improvements involved in peer review ?
- sometimes report is good but needs minor revisions - like could be deemed inappropriate so should be withdrawn or retracted
62
what are the 2 issues and problems with peer review ?
- 'file drawer' problem -bias
63
what is the 'file drawer' problem ?
- bias towards publishing studies with positive results - negatives either are rejected or never submitted to public - like for every 1 positive findings could be hundreds of negative placed away in filling cabinets - so understanding of subject becomes distorted
64
what are the 3 types of bias in peer review ?
-objectivity - institution bias - gender
65
what is objectivity bias in peer review ?
- reviewer may strongly support an opposing view - as many believe difficult to separate reviewer from personal, political and cultural views - even if meant to be anonymous but not many researchers
66
what is institution bias in peer review ?
research from prestigious uni is favoured
67
what is gender bias in peer review ?
male researchers tend to favoured
68
what do we need to consider about what we may learn when doing psychological research in terms of the economy ?
- how it affect the economy -benefits it -devalues the prospects
69
what is an example for memory for the economy ?
save money on police resources as improved EWT
70
what is an example for social influence on the economy ?
minorities encourages to make changes to save money
71
what is an example for psychopathology for the economy ?
person can be treated quicker so saves money on further treatment so they can return to work which contributes to the economy
72
what is an example of attachment for the economy ?
mothers stay at home so not contributing to taxes secure attachment children become productive members of society and so they can hold down job that contribute to the economy
73
what is an example for approaches for the economy ?
spend money on technology to understand our cognitive process more

psychology (18 decks)

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