Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Research Methods
Midterm
19
Psychology
Undergraduate 4
02/15/2012

Additional Psychology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
5 Functions of Psychology as a Science
Definition
1.Theory explains behavior
2.Research describes behavior
3.Research predicts behavior
4.Research understands behavior
5.Application of research controls and/or improves behavior
Term
Theory
Definition
a general explanation of natural phenomena that guides research and organizes

knowledge; integrates several relationships between a set of variables and some behavior.
Term
Variable
Definition
any quantity or quality that can take on a range of values; scientists can manipulate/ control them or can measure them.
Term
Measurement
Definition
Count frequency of objectively, completely observed behavior, calculate average group behavior, and/or track individual changes over time
Term
Replication
Definition
repeat observation of behavior over time and across situations, in order to establish consistency and generalizability
Term
5 Main Types of Research
Definition
A. Correlational Research – predict
B. Survey Research – predict
C. Experimental Research – understand
D. Naturalistic Observation - predict/Field Experiment - understand
E. Case study - predict/Single-subject experiment - understand
Term
Correlation
Definition
a statistical measure of the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables.
Term
Strength scale of a Correlation
Definition
.00-.19 = none
.20-.39 = weak
.40-.59 = moderate
.60-1.00 = strong
Term
Direction of a Correlation
Definition
Positive: As variable 1 ↑, variable 2 ↑
Negative: As variable 1 ↑, variable 2 ↓
Term
Correlational Research
Definition
Employs statistical methods to examine the relationship between two or more variables.

Advantages: Allows the study of relationships between variables that cannot be studied with other research methods; allows prediction of behavior.

Limitations: Does not permit researchers to draw conclusions regarding cause-and-effect relationships.
Term
Directional Problem
Definition
A causal relationship between two correlated variables cannot be determined because….

Variable 1 → Variable 2
or
Variable 2 → Variable 1
or
Variable 1 ↔ Variable 2
Term
Survey Research
Definition
Many subjects are asked a set of questions. One subtype of correlational research.

Advantages: Enables a large amount of data to be gathered quickly and inexpensively.


Limitations: Sampling biases can skew results. Poorly constructed questions result in ambiguous
data. Accuracy depends on ability and willingness of subjects to answer questions accurately.
Term
Experimental Research: Understand cause of behavior
Definition
One or more variables are manipulated and the effect of that manipulation on other variables is studied.

Advantages: Strict control of variables allows cause-and-effect relationships to be discovered.

Limitations: Lab setting is artificial. Uncontrolled variables may confound results. Many variables are impossible to control and manipulate.
Term
consistency
Definition
getting the same results over time for either individual or multiple people tested
Term
generalizability
Definition
consistent behavior over time or across situations
Term
Naturalistic Observation – Predict/
Field Experiment - Understand
Definition
Human or animal behavior is observed in the environment in which it occurs naturally.

Advantages: Provides behavioral information that may be more accurate than reports after the fact. Subjects’ behavior is more natural. A rich source of hypotheses.

Limitations: An observer may alter behavior. Observer’s recording may be biased. It is unclear whether observations can be generalized to other settings/subjects.
Term
Case study – predict/Single-subject experiment - understand
Definition
Behavior of one person or a few people is studied in depth.

Advantages: Yields much descriptive information. Useful for forming hypotheses.

Limitations: May not include a representative sample. Can be time-consuming and expensive. Observer bias is a potential problem.
Term
Steps in the Scientific Method
Theory to Application
Definition
1. Identify a problem/puzzle of interest about humans.

2. Search for relevant theories and past empirical results of research by doing a literature review.

AND/OR

Make and record observations in the real world when little is known about a topic of interest.


3. Identify key variables and possible relationships between them (either causal or predictive).
Term
Population
Definition
a group of people you are interested in studying
Supporting users have an ad free experience!