Introduction to Psychological Research PSYC 2250 - Unit 1 Flashcards

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental ways of knowing, the characteristics and goals of science, and the different categories of research in psychology.

Empirical way of knowing

Knowledge gathered through direct observation or experimentation.

Non-empirical way of knowing

Knowledge gathered without direct observation or experimentation, such as through authority or logic.

Authority

A non-empirical method where knowledge is accepted because a respected person, such as a parent or teacher, claims it is true.

Logic

A non-empirical method involving premise statements that, if true, necessitate a true conclusion; however, it can be limited by wrong assumptions.

Intuition

A spontaneous or instinctual conclusion about something that is not based on fact or reasoned mental activity; often referred to as a gut-feeling.

Common sense

A type of intuition that relies on informal methods or experience; it is limited because it differs across cultures and is pragmatic rather than predictive.

Science

A way of obtaining knowledge through observation in an organized and systematic fashion using objective methods and the scientific method.

Psychology

The scientific study of human behaviour and mental processes.

Scientific method

A set of conservative rules and deliberate procedures used to seek truth, involving steps from idea generation to peer-reviewed reporting.

Objective observations

Observations that most persons with a normal functioning perceptual system would agree upon after witnessing a phenomenon under reproducible procedures.

Reliability

The consistency of a measure.

Validity

Establishing that a set of procedures is measuring what it is actually supposed to be measuring.

Theories

Well-defined, logically organized sets of ideas that describe and explain relationships between certain events.

Hypotheses

Specific, testable, and refutable predictions or educated guesses about the outcome of events in scientific experimentation.

Falsifiability

The principle that a hypothesis can either be supported or refuted by gathered observations.

Scientific scepticism

The practice of critical thinking, reasoned thought, and caution when evaluating aspects of the scientific method to protect against fraudulent claims.

Peer review

A process where other scientists evaluate research for flaws in theory, design, or conclusions before it can be published.

Nomothetic approach

A method of establishing broad generalizations and general laws by measuring large numbers of participants to describe the average individual.

Idiographic approach

A method of studying psychology that focuses on the unique individual rather than a group of individuals.

Quantitative descriptions

Research findings reported using mathematical or statistical summaries and analyses.

Qualitative descriptions

Research findings that rely on verbal reports without the use of mathematical analyses.

Variable

Something that is precisely described or defined and can vary from person to person, such as gender, IQ, or hair length.

Correlated

When two variables are regularly associated in some fashion; this does not necessarily imply causation.

Experimental design

A research technique that employs a high degree of control over the situation to manipulate factors and determine cause-and-effect conclusions.

Covariation of cause and effect

A criteria for causal claims stating that the effect occurs when the cause is present and does not occur when the cause is absent.

Temporal precedence

A criteria for causal claims stating that the cause must occur before the effect.

Elimination of alternative explanations

A criteria for causal claims where all other plausible explanations for an observed effect must be evaluated and dismissed.

Basic research

Research designed to advance general understanding of fundamental structures and processes, generally without immediate practical application.

Applied research

Research focused on creating change, modifying human behaviour, and developing knowledge that is directly useful for improving quality of life.

Program evaluation

A growing area of applied research where researchers systematically evaluate existing or new programs at an institutional level.