Research Design and Statistics Flashcards

Flashcards covering basic research design, ethical guidelines and statistical concepts.

What is a falsifiable hypothesis?

A tentative explanation that can be supported or rejected through research.

Define 'operational definition' in research.

A clear, precise, and quantifiable definition of variables, allowing for replication and reliable data collection.

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative data?

Qualitative data is descriptive (e.g., eye color), while quantitative data is numerical and ideal for statistics.

What is a population in research terms?

Everyone the research could potentially apply to.

What is a sample in a research study?

The specific people (or person) chosen to participate in the study.

What is the primary advantage and disadvantage of correlational research?

Advantage: Useful when experiments are unethical. Disadvantage: Correlation does not equal causation.

Explain the 'directionality problem' in correlational research.

It is unclear which variable causes the other (e.g., does depression cause low self-esteem, or vice versa?).

What is the 'third variable problem' in correlational research?

A different variable is responsible for the relationship between the two variables being studied.

Describe a positive correlation.

Variables increase and decrease together.

Describe a negative correlation.

As one variable increases, the other decreases.

In correlational strength, what is the range of values?

Values range from -1 to +1, with values closer to -1 or +1 indicating a stronger relationship.

What is the main advantage of experimental research?

It is the only type that establishes cause and effect.

How is the independent variable used in an experiment?

Purposely altered by researcher to look for effect.

What is the purpose of the experimental group?

Receives the treatment (part of the independent variable).

What is the purpose of the control group?

Placebo, baseline (part of the independent variable); used for comparison.

What is the dependent variable?

The measured variable that is dependent on the independent variable.

What is the placebo effect?

Observed effect on behavior caused by the placebo, showing effectiveness of experimental treatment.

Explain a double-blind experiment.

Neither the participant nor the experimenter knows which condition people are assigned to.

Explain a single-blind experiment.

Only the participant is blind to their condition.

What is a confound in a research study?

Error/flaw in study accidentally introduced (confounding variable).

What is random assignment and why is it important?

Assigning participants to control or experimental group at random to increase chance of equal representation among groups and allow for cause/effect conclusions.

What is naturalistic observation and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Observing people in their natural settings. Adv: real-world validity. Disadv: No cause and effect.

Describe a case study and its advantages/disadvantages.

Studies one person (usually) in great detail. Adv: Collects lots of info. Disadv: No cause/effect.

What is a meta-analysis?

Combines multiple studies to increase sample size and examine effect sizes.

What are descriptive statistics used for?

Show shape of the data.

Describe the three measures of central tendency.

Mean: Average (use in normal distribution). Median: Middle number (use in skewed distribution). Mode: Occurs most often.

What does a bimodal distribution indicate?

Has two modes, usually indicating good and bad scores.

How do outliers affect the skew of a distribution?

Outliers create skews. Negative skew: mean is to the left, mode is to the right. Positive skew: mean is to the right.

What is the range in statistics?

Distance between the smallest and biggest number.

What is standard deviation?

Average amount the scores are spread from the mean (bigger number = more spread).

What is the purpose of inferential statistics?

Establishes significance (meaningfulness).

What does statistical significance mean?

Results not due to chance; experimental manipulation caused the difference in means.

What p-value is generally considered statistically significant?

p < .05; smaller is better.

What does effect size indicate?

Data has practical significance; bigger is better.

What ethical guidelines are needed for human research?

Confidentiality, informed consent, informed assent (for minors), debriefing, deception must be warranted, no harm.

What is social desirability bias in surveys?

People lie to look good.

How can wording effects influence survey answers?

How you frame the question can impact the answers.

What is a random sample and why is it important?

Method for choosing participants where everyone has a chance to take part, increases generalizability.

Explain the difference between random sample and random assignment.

Sample = Generalize. Assignment = Cause/Effect.

What is a representative sample?

Sample mimics the general population (ethnic, gender, age).

What is a convenience sample and what are its limitations?

Select participants on availability—less representative and less generalizability.

What is sampling bias?

Sample isn't representative, due to convenience sampling.

How can cultural norms affect research results?

Behaviors of a particular group can influence research results.

What is experimenter/participant bias?

Experimenter/participant expectations influence the outcome.

Define Confirmation bias.

Find info that supports our preexisting beliefs

Define Hindsight bias.

"I knew it all along"

Define Overconfidence bias.

Overestimate our knowledge/abilities

What is the Hawthorne effect?

People change behavior when watched.

Why do research studies require peer review?

To ensure validity and rigor of the research.