Psychological Research Review

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from your lecture notes on psychological research, including the roles of consumers and producers, the theory-data cycle, types of research, peer-review, Merton's norms of science, and differences between empirical journals and popular journalism.

How are the roles of consumers and producers of psychological research similar and different?

Consumers interpret research data from a producer role, while producers contribute new knowledge to the field. Consumers (e.g., clinicians) are involved in evidence-based treatments, whereas producers are primarily researchers.

How do theories and data interact to form empirical inquiry?

Through the Theory Data Cycle, data is collected to test, change, or update theories, either supporting or weakening them.

What is a theory in psychological research?

A set of statements that describes general principles about how variables relate to one another.

What is a hypothesis?

A specific outcome the researcher will observe in a study if the theory is accurate.

What is data in scientific research?

A set of observations.

What is basic research?

Research aimed at enhancing the general body of knowledge rather than addressing a specific issue, such as the capacity of human memory.

What is applied research?

Research conducted with a practical problem in mind, often in a local, real-world setting, such as evaluating a school district
's teaching method.

How do basic and applied research interact through translational research?

Translational research uses the lessons from basic research to develop and test applications to healthcare, treatments, and interventions.

What is the role of the peer-review process in science?

The peer-review process acts as a gatekeeper for scientific rigor and can be a self-correcting mechanism for researchers.

What are Merton's norms of science?

Merton's norms of science include Universalism, Communality, Disinterestedness, and Organized Skepticism, which help science be more credible and self-correcting.

Explain Universalism as described by Merton's norms of science.

Universalism means scientific claims are evaluated based on merit, independent of the researcher's credentials or reputation, establishing criteria among all scientists.

What does Communality mean in Merton's norms of science?

Communality states that scientific knowledge is created by a community and findings belong to that community.

Describe Disinterestedness according to Merton's norms of science.

Disinterestedness means scientists should strive to discover the truth, not being swayed by convictions, idealism, or politics.

What is Organized Skepticism in Merton's norms of science?

Organized Skepticism involves questioning everything and not relying on sources until they are proven credible.

What are the key differences between empirical journals and popular journalism?

Empirical journals are peer-reviewed periodicals written by qualified contributors for scientists and students, while popular journalism is a secondhand report by media journalists or laymen, potentially with inaccuracies, aimed at a general audience.

How can journalists write better stories about scientific news?

Journalists can report on the original study, avoid disinformation, question the story's legitimacy or accuracy, and read critically.