PSYB70H3 Midterm 2

Empiricism

Empiricism

Systematic observation and data recording method.

External Validity

Generalizability of study results to broader populations.

Basic Research

Theory-driven research to enhance general knowledge.

Applied Research

Practice-driven research for practical solutions.

Translational Research

Integrates basic and applied research for applications.

Frequency Claims

Describes quantity using averages or percentages.

Association Claims

Examines covariance between two or more variables.

Causality Claims

Investigates cause-effect relationships between variables.

Statistical Validity

Honest presentation of research results.

Intuition

Knowledge based on emotions, not rational thought.

Rationalism

Knowledge gained through logical reasoning.

Scientific Method

Systematic evidence collection to answer questions.

Pseudoscience

Claims lacking empirical support or falsifiability.

The Belmont Report

Ethical principles for human research: respect, beneficence, justice.

Informed Consent

Participants understand study benefits and risks.

Research Ethics Boards (REBs)

Review human research for risks and safeguards.

Deception in Research

Allowed if methodologically necessary and debriefing occurs.

3Rs in Animal Research

Replacement, Refinement, Reduction for ethical animal use.

Research Misconduct

Includes data fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.

Peer Review Process

Validates high standards in published research.

Common Sense Limitations

Intuitive beliefs often lead to inaccuracies.

Skepticism

Evaluates evidence, considers alternative explanations.

Tolerance for Uncertainty

Accepts unknowns as opportunities for discovery.

Privacy Protection

Ensures confidentiality of participant data.

Equitable Treatment

Fair recruitment practices to avoid discrimination.

Research Integrity

Strive for accuracy and honesty in research.

Nuremberg Code

Ethical standards established post-Nazi medical experiments.

Tuskegee Syphilis Study

Unethical study observing untreated syphilis cases.

HeLa Cells

Cells taken without consent from Henrietta Lacks.

John/Joan Case

Gender reassignment study exploring gender identity.

MMR Vaccine Study

1998 study with conflict of interest issues.

Diederik Stapel

Researcher who fabricated data in 2011.

Michael LaCour

Fabricated results without ethical approval in 2015.

APA Ethics Code

Guidelines ensuring integrity and participant welfare.

TCPS2

Canadian guidelines emphasizing respect and justice.

Transparency

Disclosure of conflicts and funding sources.

Methodological Rigor

Collecting accurate and unbiased data.

Participant Welfare

Prioritizing well-being and avoiding risks.

Data Integrity

Honest and transparent data reporting.

Research Question

Initial inquiry guiding the research process.

Empirical Study

Systematic observation or experimentation for data.

Analyze Data

Using statistics to interpret collected data.

Publish Findings

Sharing results with the scientific community.

Theory

Broad explanation of phenomena in psychology.

Hypothesis

Specific prediction derived from a theory.

Hypothetico-Deductive Method

Cycle of theory, hypothesis, and empirical testing.

Variables

Quantitative and categorical distinctions in research.

Population vs. Sample

Sample represents a larger population in research.

Experimental Research

Manipulates variables to establish cause-and-effect.

Non-Experimental Research

Observational studies without implying causation.

Internal Validity

Clarity of causal relationships within a study.

Construct Validity

Accurate measurement of variables in research.

Causal Claims

Statements suggesting cause-and-effect relationships.

Margin of Error

Estimated error around a population parameter.

Confidence Interval

Range of values for true population parameter.

Statistical Significance

Effect detectable despite margin of error.

Effect Size

Magnitude of effect measured in research.

Statistical Power

Probability of detecting an effect if it exists.

Type I Error

Rejecting null hypothesis when it is true.

Type II Error

Retaining null hypothesis when it is false.

Direct Replication

Repeating a study with independent samples.

Descriptive Statistics

Summarizes and organizes sample data.

Inferential Statistics

Makes inferences about the population from samples.

Null Hypothesis (H0)

No relationship exists; results are due to chance.

Alternative Hypothesis (H1)

A relationship exists in the population.

p-value

Probability of observing results if H0 is true.

Operational Definition

Specifies how a variable is measured.

Qualitative Research

Analyzes behaviors for detailed descriptions.

Quantitative Research

Measures variables numerically to test theories.

Self-Report

Participants' own thoughts and feelings.

Behavioral Observation

Recording participants' behaviors in natural settings.

Physiological Measures

Monitoring bodily processes like heart rate.

Reliability

Consistency of measurements across time or items.

Validity

Accuracy of measurements in representing constructs.

Nominal Scale

Categorical data without order.

Ordinal Scale

Rank-ordered data without equal intervals.

Interval Scale

Ordered data with equal intervals, no true zero.

Ratio Scale

Ordered data with equal intervals and a true zero.

Interrater Reliability

Consistency across different observers.

Test-Retest Reliability

Consistency of results over time.

Internal Reliability

Consistency across items within a test.

Validation Study

Empirical study assessing measurement tool reliability.

Independent Variable (IV)

Variable manipulated by researchers in experiments.

Dependent Variable (DV)

Outcome variable that is measured.

Extraneous Variables

Variables other than IV and DV affecting results.

Confounding Variables

Systematically vary with IV, complicating results.

Treatment

Interventions aimed at changing behavior (e.g., therapy).

Control Condition

Participants do not receive the treatment, providing a baseline for comparison.

Placebo Effects

Non-active treatments that can still lead to perceived improvements based on expectations.

Between-Subjects Experiments

Each participant experiences only one condition.

Within-Subjects Experiments

Each participant experiences all conditions.

Random Assignment

A method to assign participants to conditions randomly, ensuring each participant has an equal chance of being in any condition.

Carryover Effects

When previous conditions affect participants' behavior in later conditions.

Practice Effect

Improved performance due to practice.

Fatigue Effect

Decreased performance due to tiredness.

Context Effect

Changes in perception based on prior conditions.

Counterbalancing

A technique used to control for order effects by varying the order of conditions across participants.

Complete Counterbalancing

Every possible order is tested.

Latin Square Design

Ensures each condition appears in every position and precedes and follows every other condition once.

Random Counterbalancing

Randomly assigns order of conditions for each participant.