Psychology 272: Research Methods and Data Analysis II Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering the core concepts, research methods, and statistical analysis terms from Psychology 272 chapters 1 through 7.

Sources of Knowledge

The seven methods identified in Chapter 1: Superstition, Intuition, Authority, Tenacity, Rationalism, Empiricism, and Science.

Popper’s principle of falsifiability

A core scientific principle discussed in Chapter 1 regarding the ability for a theory to be proven wrong.

Correlation ≠ causation

The 'Golden Rule' of research methods stating that a relationship between two variables does not imply that one causes the other.

Independent Variable

The variable in a study that is manipulated or categorized; often contrasted with the dependent variable.

Random assignment

An experimental technique used to assign participants to different groups (such as control or experimental) to ensure equality.

Journal Article Sections

The standard components of a research paper: Abstract, Lit review, Methodology, Results, and Discussion.

IRB

Institutional Review Boards responsible for reviewing ethical standards and approving research studies.

Informed consent

The ethical requirement to provide participants with information about the study before they agree to participate.

Operational definitions

A specific statement of the procedures used to define research variables, mentioned in Chapter 3.

Properties of measurement

The four attributes used to describe scales: Identity, magnitude, equal unit size, and absolute zero point.

Scales of measurement

The four levels of data: Nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.

Reliability

The consistency of a measure; influenced by method error and trial error.

Validity

The accuracy of a measure; types include face, criterion, concurrent, predictive, content, construct, and consequential.

Expectancy effects / confirmation bias

Factors in observational methods where the researcher's expectations influence the data collection.

Interpretivism & social construction

Concepts within qualitative methods used to understand social reality.

Grounded theory

A specific qualitative research method discussed in Chapter 4.

Socially-desirable responding

A potential problem in survey methods where participants answer in a way they think is expected or preferred.

Probability Sampling

Sampling methods including random, stratified random, and cluster sampling.

Nonprobability Sampling

Sampling methods including convenience and quota sampling.

Central tendency

The measures used to find the center of a distribution: Mean, median, and mode.

Variability

The spread of a distribution, measured via range, average deviation, and standard deviation.

Distributions

The shape of data sets, including normal distributions, skewed distributions, and kurtosis.

z-scores

Standardized scores used in standard normal distributions and probability calculations.

Coefficient of determination

A statistic used in correlation to measure the proportion of variance shared between variables.

Regression

A method synonymous with prediction, involving a formula with a slope and Y-intercept.

Null hypothesis ($H_0$)

The statement about the world that researchers test and seek to conclude about; summarized by the rule: 'If the P is low, then the $H_0$ must go'.

Type I error ($\alpha$)

A false positive or 'sin of commission' occurring when you think there is a difference, but there isn't (e.g., convicting an innocent man).

Type II error ($\beta$)

A false negative or 'sin of omission' occurring when there is a difference, but you missed it (e.g., letting a guilty man go free).

One-sample t-test

A statistical test for a single-group design where $df = N - 1$.