Lecture 1. Why Research Methods Matters (research methods flashcards)

A student wants to determine whether a claim about human behavior is actually true. According to the lecture, what type of approach should be the focus?

An empirical research method, because empirical research methods are the most accurate known method for testing whether information is true.

Someone believes something is true simply because they have a strong feeling that it is true. What method of obtaining an answer does this represent?

Intuition.

A person accepts an answer because an authority figure told them it is correct. What method of obtaining an answer does this represent?

Authority.

Someone believes a claim because of something they personally experienced. What method of obtaining an answer does this represent?

Experience.

A psychology student plans to conduct their own study of human behavior. Are they a producer or consumer of research?

Producer of research, because they intend to conduct research.

A student reads research articles and tries to determine whether the claims being made are convincing. Are they a producer or consumer of research?

Consumer of research, because they intend to obtain information and evaluate claims.

A researcher is preparing to conduct a study and learns about issues involved in producing research. Why is this useful?

Because producers of research benefit from a solid understanding of the issues involved with producing research.

A person reads a research claim online and uses their knowledge of research methods to judge the claim. Why does research-method knowledge help them?

Because consumers of research benefit from knowledge that helps them evaluate claims.

A researcher is deciding between different ways of studying human thought and behavior. What should they recognize about research methods?

Research methods include different types of research and their related practical and ethical concerns.

A person says, "I don't need to understand research methods because I'm not a researcher." What does the lecture suggest?

Everyone can benefit from a deeper understanding of research methods because people can be consumers of research even if they do not produce research.

A researcher wants to determine whether information is true rather than relying only on personal experience. What approach should they focus on?

Empirical research methods.

Someone uses their personal experience to answer a question, while another person uses empirical research. According to the lecture, can both approaches provide answers?

Yes. Many methods can provide answers to questions, but some methods are more accurate than others.

A student is learning about survey, correlational, and experimental research. What broader subject are these examples part of?

Research methods in psychology.

A researcher is planning a study and considers both practical and ethical concerns. Why are these considerations relevant?

Because research methods include different types of research and their related practical and ethical concerns.

A person encounters a claim and wants to decide whether they should believe it. What role are they acting as?

Consumer of research, because consumers obtain information and need knowledge to evaluate claims.

A psychology student designs and conducts a study. What role are they acting as?

Producer of research.

A researcher wants the most accurate known method for testing whether information is true. What should they use?

Empirical research methods.

Someone says, "My personal experience proves this claim is true." What does the lecture suggest about relying on experience?

Experience can provide answers, but the lecture states that some methods are more accurate than others and identifies empirical research as the most accurate known method for testing whether information is true.

Someone says, "An expert said it, so it must be true." What concept from the lecture does this illustrate?

Authority as a way of obtaining an answer.

Someone says, "I just know this is true because it feels right." What concept from the lecture does this illustrate?

Intuition as a way of obtaining an answer.

What are research methods in psychology?

Research methods refers to the procedures involved in the collection of information about human thought and behavior.

What does research methods involve?

Research methods involves procedures used to collect information about human thought and behavior, including different types of research and their practical and ethical concerns.

What are three examples of types of research mentioned in the lecture?

Survey research, correlational research, and experimental research.

What concerns are associated with different types of research?

Different types of research have related practical and ethical concerns that researchers must consider.

What is the purpose of research methods?

The purpose of appropriate research methods is to allow us to effectively discover the truth about reality.

Why are research methods important for discovering truth?

Research methods provide systematic ways of investigating questions and determining whether information is accurate or true.

What are some methods people can use to obtain answers to questions?

People can use intuition, authority, experience, and empirical research methods to obtain answers to questions.

Are all methods of obtaining answers equally accurate?

No. Many methods can provide answers to questions, but some methods are more accurate than others.

What is intuition as a way of answering questions?

Intuition is one method people may use to arrive at answers, although the lecture emphasizes that some methods are more accurate than others.

What is authority as a way of answering questions?

Authority is one method people may use to obtain information or answers to questions.

What is experience as a way of answering questions?

Experience is one method people may use to obtain answers or information about questions.

What are empirical research methods?

Empirical research methods are methods used to test whether information is true and are described in the lecture as the most accurate known method for doing so.

Why are empirical research methods the focus of this course?

Because empirical research methods are the most accurate known method for testing whether information is true.

What does "empirical" mean in the context of research methods?

In this lecture, empirical research refers to research methods used to test whether information is true.

Why is it important to compare different research methods?

Different methods can provide answers, but they do not all have the same level of accuracy. Understanding research methods helps us determine which approaches provide more accurate information.

Who can benefit from understanding research methods?

Everyone can benefit from a deeper understanding of research methods, including producers and consumers of research.

Who are producers of research?

Producers of research are people who intend to conduct research.

How do producers of research benefit from understanding research methods?

They benefit from a solid understanding of the issues involved with producing research.

Why should researchers understand issues involved in producing research?

A solid understanding of research methods helps people who conduct research understand the issues involved in producing research.

Who are consumers of research?

Consumers of research are people who intend to obtain information.

How do consumers of research benefit from understanding research methods?

They gain knowledge that helps them evaluate claims as consumers of research.

Why is understanding research methods important for consumers of research?

It helps consumers evaluate claims and determine how they should assess information they encounter.

What is the difference between a producer and a consumer of research?

A producer of research intends to conduct research, while a consumer of research intends to obtain information and evaluate claims.

What are the two major groups discussed under "Why Research Methods Matters"?

Producers of research and consumers of research.

What does a producer of research need to understand?

A producer needs a solid understanding of the issues involved with producing research.

What does a consumer of research need to understand?

A consumer needs knowledge that helps them evaluate claims.

Why does research methods matter even if you never conduct research?

Everyone can benefit from understanding research methods because consumers of research need to evaluate the claims and information they encounter.

What is the main idea of the lecture "Why Research Methods Matters"?

Research methods provide ways to collect information about human thought and behavior and help us determine what information is true or accurate.

What is the relationship between research methods and human thought and behavior?

Research methods provide procedures for collecting information about human thought and behavior.

What three broad types of research are specifically mentioned in the lecture?

Survey, correlational, and experimental research.

What does the lecture say about practical and ethical concerns in research?

Different types of research have related practical and ethical concerns that must be considered.

What is the key reason appropriate research methods are needed?

They allow us to effectively discover the truth about reality.

What is the key distinction between empirical research and methods such as intuition, authority, and experience?

Although all can provide answers, empirical research methods are described as the most accurate known method for testing whether information is true.

Why should consumers of research understand research methods?

Understanding research methods gives consumers the knowledge needed to evaluate claims.

Why should producers of research understand research methods?

Understanding research methods gives researchers a solid foundation for dealing with the issues involved in producing research.