Methods and Research Stats Unit 1

The Method of Intuition

A method of acquiring knowledge based on personal insight or instinct.

The Method of Authority

A method of acquiring knowledge based on the opinions or statements of authoritative figures.

The Rational Method

A method of acquiring knowledge through logical reasoning and deduction.

The Empirical Method

A method of acquiring knowledge based on observation and experimentation.

The Steps of the Scientific Method

A systematic approach to research that includes observing, hypothesizing, predicting, testing, and refining.

Science is empirical

Science relies on observable and measurable evidence.

Science is public

Scientific findings are shared openly for scrutiny and validation.

Science is objective

Science strives to be free from personal biases and subjective influences.

Quantitative Research

Research that focuses on quantifying relationships, behaviors, or phenomena.

Qualitative Research

Research that explores phenomena through non-numerical data and subjective interpretation.

Steps of the Research Process

Find a research idea, literature review, form hypothesis, design research, collect data, analyze data, draw conclusions, report findings.

What is the difference between applied research and basic research?

Applied research might develop a new treatment for a disease, whereas basic research could explore the mechanisms of disease.

What are primary sources in research?

Primary sources are original materials or evidence directly related to the topic, such as research articles, interviews, or surveys.

What are secondary sources in research?

Secondary sources analyze, interpret, or summarize primary sources, such as review articles, textbooks, or critiques.

What is a full-text database?

A full-text database provides complete articles, allowing users to access entire documents

What are the basic sections of an APA-style research article?

The basic sections include the Abstract, Introduction, Method, Results, and Discussion. Each section serves a specific purpose in presenting research.

What are the characteristics of a good hypothesis?

A good hypothesis is clear, testable, and specific, providing a basis for research. An example of a good hypothesis is 'Increased study time improves exam scores,' while a bad hypothesis might be 'Studying is important.'

What is a construct in the context of measurement?

A hypothetical concept that is defined for the purpose of measurement within theories.

What is an operational definition?

A clear and precise definition of a variable that specifies how it will be measured.

What are the limitations of operational definitions?

They may oversimplify complex concepts and may not capture the full essence of the construct.

What is validity in measurement?

The extent to which a measurement accurately reflects the concept it is intended to measure.

What is face validity?

The degree to which a measurement appears to measure what it claims to measure, based on subjective judgment.

What is concurrent validity?

The extent to which a measurement correlates with an established measure of the same construct taken at the same time.

What is predictive validity?

The degree to which a measurement can predict future outcomes related to the construct.

What is construct validity?

The extent to which a measurement truly reflects the theoretical construct it is intended to measure.

What is the difference between convergent and divergent validity?

Convergent validity assesses whether measures of the same construct correlate, while divergent validity assesses whether measures of different constructs do not correlate.

What is reliability in measurement?

The consistency of a measurement across time, items, and different observers.

What are the types of reliability?

Test-retest reliability, parallel-forms reliability, inter-rater reliability, and split-half reliability.

What is the relationship between reliability and validity?

A measurement can be reliable but not valid; however, a valid measurement must also be reliable.

What is the nominal scale of measurement?

A scale that classifies data into distinct categories without any order or ranking.

What is the ordinal scale of measurement?

A scale that classifies data into categories that can be ranked or ordered.

What are interval and ratio scales?

Interval scales have equal intervals between values but no true zero, while ratio scales have equal intervals and a true zero point.

What are self-report measures?

Measurements that rely on individuals' own assessments of their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.

What are physiological measures?

Measurements that assess biological or physical responses.

What are behavioral measures?

Measurements that observe and record actual behaviors rather than self-reports.

What is a ceiling effect?

A situation where a measurement instrument cannot detect higher values due to a limit on the scale.

What is a floor effect?

A situation where a measurement instrument cannot detect lower values due to a limit on the scale.

What is experimenter bias?

A form of bias that occurs when a researcher's expectations influence the outcome of a study.

What are demand characteristics?

Cues in an experiment that suggest to participants how they should behave.

What is participant reactivity?

Changes in behavior by participants due to their awareness of being observed in a study.

research ethics

The principles and guidelines that govern the conduct of research involving human and nonhuman subjects.

anonymity

The condition in which a research participant's identity is not known to the researcher.

informed consent

The process of obtaining voluntary agreement from participants after they have been fully informed of the research's nature, risks, and benefits.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

A committee that reviews research proposals to ensure ethical standards are met in the treatment of human participants.

deception

The act of misleading participants about the true nature of a study, which can be either passive (omission) or active (commission).

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

A committee that oversees the ethical treatment of nonhuman subjects in research.

passive deception (omission)

A form of deception where information is withheld from participants.

active deception (commission)

A form of deception where participants are provided with false information.

fraud

Deliberate falsification or misrepresentation of research data or results.

debriefing

The process of informing participants about the true nature of a study after their participation.

replication

The process of repeating a study to verify its results.

confidentiality

The assurance that personal information provided by research participants will be kept private.

plagiarism

The act of using someone else's work or ideas without proper attribution.

Nuremberg Code

A set of ethical principles for human experimentation established after World War II.

Milgram's obedience study

A controversial psychological experiment that tested participants' willingness to obey authority figures, even when asked to perform actions conflicting with their personal conscience.

National Research Act

A U.S. law that established regulations for the protection of human subjects in research.

Belmont Report

A report outlining ethical principles and guidelines for research involving human subjects, focusing on respect, beneficence, and justice.

respect

One of the three ethical principles of the Belmont Report, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the autonomy and dignity of participants.

beneficence

One of the three ethical principles of the Belmont Report, focusing on maximizing benefits and minimizing harm to participants.

justice

One of the three ethical principles of the Belmont Report, ensuring fair distribution of the benefits and burdens of research.