Research Methods Midterm

What are the four types of psychological research questions?

Description, Explanation, Prediction, Application.

What does the description type of psychological research focus on?

It focuses on how people think, feel, or act in response to a given situation.

What is the aim of the explanation type of psychological research?

To understand what caused an event to occur, often framed as 'how' or 'why' questions.

What is the purpose of prediction in psychological research?

To predict future events based on previous observations.

How does the application type of psychological research aim to help individuals?

By changing people's behavior and improving lives.

What recent trend has been observed regarding conspiracy theories?

They have become politically weaponized.

4 aspects of framing conspiracy beliefs as a psychological phenomenon

1. Describe event as a a psychological phenomenon.

2. Explain the phenomenon

3. Predict the phenomenon

4. apply the solution

How do you explain a psychological phenomenon?

hypothesize a mechanism for what is occurring

Epistemic motives

they appeal to people who feel threated by uncertainty

Existential Motives

they appeal to people who feel like they lack control

Social Motives

they appeal to people who want to belong to a group

Predicting psychological phenomenon

what might lead to increases/decreases

applying a potential solution to a psychological phenomenon

what kind of interventions might reduce the effects

3 aspects of the scientific process

1. based on observations

2. examine testable research questions

3. results must be shared

systematic empiricism

based on observation

What do empirical research questions do?

examine testable research questions

Public Knowledge

results must be shared

What makes a research question testable?

It can be supported or opposed with data and can be falsified.

What is pseudoscience?

Activities and beliefs that claim to be scientific but do not adhere to scientific principles.

Why is psychology considered a science?

- adheres to the scientific method

- uses empirical observation

examines testable questions

shares results.

What are qualitative methods in psychological research?

Methods that produce qualitative data such as written text, photos, and interviews.

What is the difference between structured and unstructured interviews?

Structured interviews have a set list of questions

unstructured interviews allow participants to lead the conversation.

What is an explanatory hypothesis?

A hypothesis that seeks to explain a phenomenon.

What is the purpose of cross-sectional surveys?

To measure constructs and see how they are associated at a single point in time.

What do experiments in psychology involve?

Manipulating one construct to measure the effect on another.

What are longitudinal studies used for?

To measure constructs repeatedly over time to observe changes.

What is a multimethod design in psychological research?

A combination of research design elements that answer applied questions.

What characterizes large, groundbreaking progress in research?

- questions of broader significance,

is relevant to multiple research areas,

- shifts how researchers conceptualize a topic.

What defines small, incremental progress in research?

- advances a specific question with limited scope

- is relevant to a specialized area.

What is the first step in starting a research project?

Choosing a research topic or stating a research problem.

Basic Research

aims to solve theoretical issues and enhance understanding of psychological processes

Applied research

focuses on solving practical problems.

What are some challenges in understanding basic psychological phenomena?

- Gaps in resources or methodology

- difficulties in empirically measuring cognitive processes

-ethical or funding constraints.

What is an example of a basic research phenomenon that is not well understood?

Deja vu or the Mandela effect.

What is the Need to Belong Theory?

It posits that people have a fundamental need for social connection, similar to the need for food, and that unmet needs can lead to suffering.

What does it indicate when a key idea or theory is challenged in research?

It may lead to advancements in understanding

What is a methodological limitation of self-report data collection?

unreliable

- individuals may inaccurately represent their own behaviors.

What is a new design method that improves data accuracy in research?

Digital trace methods that objectively capture smartphone use.

What are some advancements that can occur in applied research?

Interventions, better decision-making, persuasion, and policy implementation.

What is intervention in applied research as a method of advancement in research?

When a new exercise, treatment, way of thinking, etc. can be implemented to help with problem

What is persuasion in applied research as a method of advancement in research?

Convincing individuals that a particular issue is a problem

What is policy implementation as a method of advancement in research?

When the government or another organization can help to solve the problem

What are the three initial steps for formulating a research question?

1. Choose between basic or applied research

2. articulate the phenomenon or problem of interest

3. research existing literature on the topic.

What is a key consideration when choosing a research question?

Ensure that the question is significant and pressing, both personally and in the broader context.

What is a common mistake when conducting a literature review?

1. Exhaustively finding and reading all research

2. making it read like a list

3. then adding your own idea on top.

literature review

a summary of the most relevant work previously published on a specific topic, informing hypotheses and research design.

Low-quality sources

summaries, non-peer-reviewed articles, or social media posts.

High-quality sources

original research published in reputable journals,

What are primary sources in research?

Original research articles that include full methods and results, written for experts.

What are secondary sources in research?

Summaries of information from primary sources, typically less preferred due to potential incompleteness and inaccuracy.

What does it mean if an article was peer-reviewed?

the article was critically evaluated and approved by other researchers, indicating quality control.

What are predatory journals?

Journals that appear to be peer-reviewed but are not, often requiring payment to publish.

How can you spot a low-quality journal?

Look for an impact factor under 1 or overly specific titles.

Name some reputable journals.

Science, Nature, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (JPSP), Psychological Science.

What is a good strategy for finding quality sources?

1. Locate major contributions first

2. look for papers with many citations

3. use them to find more relevant work.

What are effective search engines for literature?

Google Scholar and PsycINFO.

What should you do after completing a literature search?

Save all relevant articles in a folder to create a holistic picture of the research on your topic.

What characteristics define a good research question?

It should be important, specific enough to be testable, unanswered, and build on existing literature.

How can you improve scientific writing?

Use clear, simple language, avoid jargon, and present key arguments upfront.

What should you imagine when pitching your research idea?

Pitching it as if on Shark Tank to excite the judges.

What is the importance of defining jargon in scientific writing?

To ensure clarity and make the writing easily digestible for the reader.

What should you do with your strongest points in writing?

Present them upfront to engage the reader early.

What is the literature review process summary?

Search for literature, verify validity, skim for keywords, and find more specific papers.

What was the primary focus of the Milgram Study?

To investigate how much pain participants would inflict on learners under the guise of a study on educational punishment.

What percentage of participants in the Milgram Study administered the maximum 450-volt shock?

63%

What is the first core principle of research ethics?

Respect for Persons, which emphasizes informed consent and autonomy.

What are two ways to violate the Respect for Persons principle?

Failing to disclose risks and making the study difficult to understand.

What does the second core principle of research ethics concern?

Concern for Welfare, ensuring that the benefits of a study outweigh the risks.

What is an example of violating the Welfare principle?

Conducting a bad study that wastes participants' time and does not provide meaningful benefits.

What does the third core principle of research ethics entail?

Seek Justice, meaning fair compensation and equitable distribution of risks and benefits.

What is an example of violating the Justice principle?

Offering unreasonably low compensation for participants' time and effort.

What is the role of a Research Ethics Board?

To oversee research involving human subjects and ensure ethical standards are maintained.

What is the purpose of the ethics review process?

To evaluate the risk level of research applications and determine if they can proceed.

What should be included in an ethics application?

Study rationale, informed consent details, potential risks, compensation, and debriefing procedures.

What is the importance of informed consent in research ethics?

Participants must understand the study, their rights, and any potential risks before agreeing to participate.

What is the significance of debriefing participants after a study?

• minimize any harm that might have occurred

• provide participants with the full purpose of the study

What is open data sharing in research ethics?

Uploading research data online for verification, which improves trustworthiness and pedagogical value.

What are the potential costs of a confidentiality breach in research?

Meaningful consequences for participants and erosion of public trust in researchers.

What is an example of coercive incentives in research?

Offering a large sum of money to low-income participants, which may compromise their autonomy.

What ethical issues arose from the Tuskegee Study?

Lack of informed consent, failure to mitigate risks, and exploitation of a vulnerable population.

What is the potential impact of unethical research practices on communities?

Widespread distrust in medicinal research, especially among marginalized groups.

What is the ethical consideration regarding deception in research?

Studies must be low-risk, and participants should be informed of any deception during debriefing.

What is the significance of compensating participants fairly?

To ensure that risks and benefits are equitably distributed and to avoid exploitation.

What is a theory?

A coherent explanation or interpretation of one or more phenomena, answering the 'why' question.

What are theoretical constructs?

Variables that cannot be directly observed, such as memory or schizophrenia.

What is a phenomenon?

An established finding known to be true from repeated observation.

Give an example of a phenomenon and its corresponding theory.

Phenomenon: Over generations, species become increasingly well-suited to new climates; Theory: This occurs because of natural selection.

What is the attachment system?

A biologically-based system that promotes attachment to close others, enhancing survival.

How does the attachment system function in adulthood?

It transfers childhood attachment patterns to romantic partners, promoting pair bonding.

When does the attachment system activate?

It activates when an individual is distressed, motivating them to seek their attachment figure.

What are perspectives in theory generation?

Broad approaches to explaining phenomena, often at a vague level

Example of perspectives in theory generation?

Behaviorism, Cognition

What are models in theory generation?

Precise explanations of specific phenomena, narrower and more specific than theories.

What is the purpose of theories?

To organize knowledge and make testable predictions.

Define hypothesis in the context of theory generation.

Tentative statements about the association between variables that can be directly tested.

What factors can theories vary in?

Formality, scope, and theoretical approach.

What is a functional theory?

A theory explaining something's function or purpose, addressing the 'why' aspect.

What is a mechanistic theory?

A theory explaining how something happens, focusing on the mechanism.

What is the significance of replication in theory testing?

Replication ensures confidence in a theory by confirming results through direct or conceptual replication.

What should be done if there are no existing theories to draw from?

Generate your own ideas about how and why a phenomenon works to inform your hypothesis.