Stats Review Exam 1

Research Producer

Important for coursework in psychology, graduate school, and working in a research laboratory.

Research Consumer

Important for psychology courses and future careers, especially in understanding evidence-based treatments.

Empiricism

Using evidence from the senses or instruments as the basis for conclusions.

Aim of Empiricists

To be systematic, rigorous, and make their work independently verifiable.

Theory

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

Hypothesis

The specific outcome a researcher expects to observe if the theory is accurate.

Data

A set of observations.

Good Scientific Theories

Supported, falsifiable, parsimonious, and do not prove anything.

Basic Research

Aimed at enhancing the general body of knowledge about a particular topic.

Translational Research

Bridges basic to applied research, using findings from basic research to develop applications.

Applied Research

Conducted to solve practical or real-world problems.

Comparison Group

Enables comparison of outcomes with and without the factor of interest.

Confounds

Alternative explanations for an outcome in research.

Research vs

Research is better than experience due to its structured approach.

Probabilistic

Findings are not expected to explain all cases all the time.

Availability Heuristic

Being persuaded by what easily comes to mind, leading to overestimation of frequency.

Present/Present Bias

Failing to consider what we cannot see, influenced by vivid or memorable instances.

Confirmation Bias

Focusing on evidence that supports pre-existing beliefs.

Bias Blind Spot

The belief that one is unlikely to be biased.

Empirical Journal Abstract Components

Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion, References.

Variable

Something that changes or varies, requiring at least two levels or values.

Constant

A factor that does not vary and remains the same.

Measured Variable

Observed and recorded in research.

Manipulated Variable

Controlled by the researcher.

Conceptual Variables

Abstract concepts that cannot be measured directly.

Operationalized Variables

Conceptual definitions turned into measurable or manipulable variables.

Claim

An argument someone is trying to make.

Frequency Claim

Describes a particular rate or degree of a single variable.

Association Claim

Argues that one variable is likely associated with another.

Causal Claim

Suggests a cause-and-effect relationship between variables.

Construct Validity

How accurately a researcher operationalizes each variable.

External Validity

How well study participants represent the intended population.

Statistical Validity

How well the statistics support the claim.

Internal Validity

How well the study eliminates alternative explanations.

Random Assignment

Increases internal validity by controlling for alternative explanations.

Self-Report

Asking people questions about themselves in a questionnaire or interview.

Observational

Recording observable behaviors.

Physiological Measures

Recording biological data.

Scales of Measurement

Different levels of measurement including nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.

Reliability

Consistency of results from a measure.

Test-Retest Reliability

Consistent scores every time a measure is used.

Interrater Reliability

Consistent scores regardless of who measures or codes.

Internal Reliability

Consistent response patterns from participants.

Validity

Whether the operationalization measures what it’s supposed to measure.

Face Validity

The measure appears to measure what it claims.

Content Validity

The measure includes all parts that the theory suggests.

Criterion Validity

Relation of a self-report measure to a concrete outcome.

Convergent Validity

Strong correlation with other self-report measures of the same construct.

Discriminant Validity

Weaker correlation with self-report measures of different constructs.

Relationship between Reliability and Validity

A measure can be less valid than reliable, but not more valid than reliable.