Week 1 - Research Methods

What are the characteristics of quantitative research?

• Use experiments/surveys

• Produces numerical data

• Tests hypotheses statistically

• Uses standardised procedures

• High reliability

• Aims for prediction and generalisability

What are key elements of qualitative research?

• Holistic

• Inductive

• Naturalistic

• Focuses on meaning

• Uses interview/observations

• Small samples

• Researcher’s worldview matters (positivism, interpretivism, critical theory)

What is a theory?

A systematic way of organising and explaining observations.

What is a hypothesis?

A testable prediction about relationships between variables.

What is a variable?

Any characteristic that can vary across people or situations.

What is sampling in research?

Selecting a smaller group (sample) to represent a larger population.

What is sampling bias?

When the sample does not represent the population.

What is generalisability?

Extent to which findings apply to the population.

What is reliability?

Consistency of measurement.

What is validity?

Whether a measure assesses what it claims to measure.

What is experimental research?

Manipulates an IV to observe its effect on a DV.

What are advantages of experiments?

Establish causation, high control, replicable.

What are limitations of experiments?

Some variables cannot be manipulated; lab settings may lack external validity.

What are the steps in conducting an experiment?

1. Frame hypothesis

2. Operationalise variables

3. Standardise procedure

4. Select & randomly assign participants

5. Apply statistical analysis

6. Draw conclusions

What is an experimental group?

Receives the IV (e.g., THC dose).

What is a control group?

Does not receive the IV (e.g., placebo).

What are demand characteristics?

Participants alter behaviour based on perceived expectations, biasing results.

What is a double-blind study?

Both participants and researchers are unaware of group allocation; prevents bias and placebo effects.

What is descriptive research?

Describes behaviour without manipulating variables.

What are advantages of descriptive research?

Real‑world relevance, useful for generating hypotheses.

What are limitations of descriptive research?

Cannot determine causation; observer bias possible.

What is an independent variable?

Manipulated variable (e.g., THC dose).

What is a dependent variable?

Measured response (e.g., food consumed).

What is a case study?

In‑depth study of one/small group; rich detail but low generalisability.

What is naturalistic observation?

Observing behaviour in natural settings; high realism but no causation.

What is survey research?

Questionnaires/interviews; large samples but self‑report bias.

What is correlational research?

Examines relationships between variables without manipulation.

What are advantages of correlational research?

Reveals naturally occurring relationships; useful when experiments are impossible.

What are limitations of correlational research?

Cannot infer causation.

What is a positive correlation?

Variables increase together.

What is a negative correlation?

One increases as the other decreases.

Why doesn’t correlation imply causation?

No manipulation; third variables may explain the relationship.

What methods examine mental-neural relationships?

EEG, CAT scans, MRI, PET, fMRI.

What are qualitative strategies of inquiry?

Grounded theory, phenomenology, ethnography, case study, action research.

How has the internet impacted psychological research?

Faster data collection, larger samples, low cost; but issues with validity, sampling, ethics, and researcher control.

What is statistical significance?

Likelihood that results are not due to chance.

What is practical/clinical significance?

Whether results are meaningful or impactful in real‑world settings.

What is the APS Code of Ethics?

Guidelines ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, welfare, voluntary participation, avoidance of harm, and ethical treatment of animals.

What is informed consent?

Participants must understand the study and agree voluntarily before participating.

When is deception acceptable?

Only when necessary, minimal risk, cannot be done otherwise, participants can withdraw, and full debriefing occurs.

Why are animals used in research?

To study biological processes, learning, and behaviour not ethically testable in humans.

How are animals and humans protected?

Ethics committees, humane treatment, minimisation of harm, strict guidelines.

What questions evaluate a study?

Framework, sample, measures, data, conclusions, meaning, ethics.

What are key principles of critical thinking?

Scepticism, objectivity, open‑mindedness.

What is a straw man fallacy?

Misrepresenting an argument to attack it.

What is an appeal to popularity?

Assuming something is true because many believe it.

What is an appeal to authority?

Accepting a claim because an authority said it.

What is an ad hominem argument?

Attacking the person instead of their argument.