PSY200-Research Methods Exam 1

Intuition

evidence to draw general conclusions about the world around us.

Authority

A way of knowing something. Specifically, relying on another person with perceived expertise to know something.

Empiricism

Knowledge comes from observations

Falsifiability

Can be either supported or falsified by data

Peer review

Reviewed by other scientists who have the expertise to carefully evaluate the research

Skepticism

Doubt regarding the truth of something

Pseudoscience

The use of seemingly scientific terms and demonstrations to substantiate claims that are not based on scientific research

Temporal precedence

Temporal oder of events in which the cause precedes the effectorariation C

Covariation of cause and effect

When the cause is present, the effect occurs; when the cause is not present, the effect does not occur.

Alternative explanations 

Nothing other than a casual variable could be responsible for the observed effect.

Basic Research

Studies designed to address theoretical issues; cognition, emotion, motivation, learning

Applied Research

Conducted to address issues in which there are practical problems and practical solutions.

Program Evaluation

Assesses the social reforms and innovations that occur in government, education, and health care.

Research Question

First and most general step in designing and conducting a research investigation.

Hypothesis

A tentative answer to a research question

Prediction

Follows directly from hypothesis, is directly testable, and includes specific variables and methodologies.

Theory

Consists of a systematic body of ideas about a particular topic or phenomenon

Literature reviews

Provide summaries of previous research on a particular topic

Meta-analysis

Researchers analyze results of a number of studies using statistical procedures.

Nuremberg Code

A set of 10 rules of research conduct that would help prevent future research atrocities. 

Declaration of Helsinki

More detailed version of the Nuremberg Code; required journal editors to ensure that published research conforms to the principles of the Declaration. 

Belmont Report

Ethical principles and guidelines for the protection of human subjects of research

Principle of Beneficence

Research should confer benefits, and risks must be minimal

Principle of Respect for Persons

Participants are capable of making deliberate decisions about whether to participate in research. 

Principle of Justice

There must be fairness in receiving the benefits of the research as well as

Confidentiality

The collected data is only accessible to people who have direct permission to view them. 

Informed Consent

Participants should be provided with all information that might influence their active decision of whether or not to participate in a study.

Deception

Generally acceptable to withhold information when the research is designated as minimal risk

Debriefing

Occurs after the completion of a study, and includes an explanation of the purposes of the research that is given to participants following their participation.

Minimal risk

The risks of harm to participants are no greater than risks encountered in daily life or in routine psychological tests. 

Exempt review research

Exempt from all the more rigorous review requirements 

Expedited review

Research that is minimal-risk research but does not match the exempt research categories

Fraud

Making up data; data fabrication

Plagiarism

Misrepresenting another’s work as your own

Paraphrasing Plagiarism

Instead of the words being directly copied without attribution, the ideas are copied without attribution

Construct Validity

The extent to which the measurement or manipulation of a variable accurately represents the theoretical variable

Internal Validity

The accuracy of conclusions drawn about cause and effect

External Validity

The extent to which a study’s findings can accurately be generalized to other populations and settings.

Conclusion Validity

The accuracy of the conclusions drawn from the results of research investigation

Variable

Anythings that changes

Operational definition

Set of procedures used when you manipulate the variable

Construct validity

Accuracy of our operational definitions

Correlation Coefficient

A numerical index of the strength of the relationalship between variables.

Nonexperimental method 

Relationships are studied by observing variables of interest

Experimental method

Involves direct manipulation and control of variables