AICE Exam Review - Research Methods

Flashcards about general psychology research methods to prepare for the AICE Exam.

Quantitative Data

Numerical data that is easy to statistically analyze and objective, but may miss the 'why' and has a limited amount of information.

Qualitative Data

Descriptions and responses to open-ended questions and interviews, rich in detail, helping to understand the 'why,' but can be subjective and harder to analyze.

Correlation

A technique to measure the link between two measured variables.

Positive Correlation

Two variables that either increase together or decrease together.

Negative Correlation

One variable increases as another one decreases.

Correlation Coefficient

Measures the strength of a relationship, where +1 is a perfect positive correlation and +.70 is a strong correlation.

One-tailed (directional) hypothesis

Gives a specified direction of the expected effect.

Two-tailed (nondirectional) hypothesis

Predicts there will be an effect, but not specifying the direction.

Null Hypothesis

States that there is no effect between the variables.

Mean

The average of a data set; takes every score into account but can be affected by outliers.

Median

The middle score in a data set; less affected by outliers but can’t be used for discrete data.

Mode

The most common score in a data set; can be used with both numerical and categorical data and is not affected by outliers, but doesn’t take into account all scores.

Range

Subtract the smallest number in a data set from the largest value; Doesn't reflect outliers.

Standard Deviation

The average distance from each score in the set and the mean; reflects all the scores and a larger value implies the more spread out the scores are.

Independent Variable

The factor under investigation that is manipulated to create two or more conditions or levels to see its effect on or changes in.

Dependent Variable

The variable which is measured.

Experimental Condition/Group

Gets the manipulation of the IV or one or more conditions of the IV and is compared to a control group

Control Condition/Group

A level of the IV where the IV is absent and is compared to one or more experimental conditions.

Closed Questions

Choice of responses (ex. True/false); (used for quantitative data)

Open Questions

Allow participant to write answers in their own words (used for qualitative data)

Social Desirability Bias

Trying to present oneself as the best to the person who is conducting the research

Structured Interview

Fixed questions in fixed order.

Unstructured Interview

Questions that are not fixed and that depend on the answers given by participants.

Semi-structured Interview

Mix of structured and unstructured, some fixed questions, but can add more.

Case-Studies

Research involving a single unit (one person or one organization)

Controlled Observation

Take place in a controlled setting like a laboratory with a one-way mirror.

Naturalistic Observation

Take place in a person or animal’s natural environment.

Participant observation

Observer becomes part of the community or group being observed.

Non-participant observations

Researcher observes from a distance.

Overt

People know they are being observed

Covert

Participants don’t know they are being observed

Inter-rater reliability

When two observers observe the same behavior independently and the data is compared using a correlation coefficient

Independent Measures

Each participant is in just one condition

Repeated Measures

Where each participant takes part in all conditions of the Independent variable

Matched Pairs/Groups

Where participants are matched on some quality (ex. Bandura, children were matched on levels of preexisting aggression, Baron-Cohen – IQ was matched to group 1)