MASTER QUIZLET - PART 1

Scientific Method, Types of Research & Research Articles

Scientific Method - What is scientific research?

A systematic, controlled, empirical, critical, reductive, and replicable investigation of hypothetical relationships among phenomena.

Scientific Method - What does "replicable" mean?

A study can be repeated by other researchers using the same methods and produce similar results.

Scientific Method - Why is replicability important?

It helps verify findings and increases confidence that the results are accurate.

Scientific Method - What is the first step in the research process?

Identify the problem or ask the research question.

Scientific Method - What is the second step in the research process?

State the hypothesis or hypotheses.

Scientific Method - What is the third step in the research process?

Design the study protocol.

Scientific Method - What is the fourth step in the research process?

Collect and analyze the data.

Scientific Method - What is the fifth step in the research process?

Report and interpret the results.

Scientific Method - What should researchers avoid when interpreting results?

Including personal opinions, feelings, values, or self-worth. Conclusions should only be based on the data.

Scientific Method - What is the sixth step in the research process?

Present conclusions based on the results.

Scientific Method - What is the final step in the research process?

Recommend directions for future research.

Scientific Theory - What is a scientific theory?

A statement or set of statements that presents a systematic view of a phenomenon by specifying relationships among variables.

Scientific Theory - What does a scientific theory rely heavily on?

Previous research findings.

Scientific Theory - How does a scientific theory help researchers?

It provides structure for current research, helps explain and predict phenomena, and allows researchers to draw inferences about future events.

Characteristics of Scientific Research - What are the characteristics of scientific research?

• Investigates systematic relationships

• Supports existing theories

• Creates empirical data through observation

• Uses appropriate data collection and analysis procedures

• Assumes researcher expertise

• Strives for logic and objectivity

• Emphasizes measurement

• Requires careful and accurate record keeping

Research Methods - What makes a good experiment or study?

Clearly defined participant characteristics, a representative sample, precise measurements, valid and reliable measures, appropriate controls, and replication.

Variables - What is an independent variable?

The variable that is manipulated or used to form groups (such as exercise or treatment).

Variables - What is a dependent variable?

The outcome variable that is measured (such as mood, VO₂ max, jump height, or another health measure).

Variables - What question does every study ask regarding the variables?

How does the independent variable affect the dependent variable?

Correlation vs. Causation - What is correlation?

A relationship between two or more variables in which no independent variable is manipulated.

Correlation vs. Causation - Can correlational research determine cause and effect?

No. It only identifies relationships and can be used to make predictions.

Correlation vs. Causation - What is causation?

A true experimental relationship where at least one independent variable is manipulated, allowing cause-and-effect conclusions.

Correlational Research - What are the characteristics of a correlational study?

• Usually uses one group

• Looks for relationships between variables

• Variables are not manipulated

• Cannot determine cause and effect

• Can be used for prediction

Experimental Research - What makes an experimental study different from a correlational study?

An experimental study manipulates at least one independent variable to determine cause and effect.

Cross-Sectional vs. Longitudinal - What is a cross-sectional study?

A study that examines different individuals at one point in time (a "snapshot").

Cross-Sectional vs. Longitudinal - What is a longitudinal study?

A study that follows the same participants over months or years.

Independent Groups vs. Repeated Measures - What are independent groups?

Different participants are placed into different groups for comparison.

Independent Groups vs. Repeated Measures - What is a repeated-measures design?

The same participants are tested more than once and serve as their own control.

Repeated Measures - Why are repeated-measures designs beneficial?

They require fewer participants and reduce differences between groups because participants serve as their own controls.

Participant Sample - Why should researchers consider where participants come from?

The sample should be representative of the population being studied.

Selection & Assignment - What is random selection?

Every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the study.

Selection & Assignment - What is random assignment?

Each selected participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any study group.

Control Groups - Why is a control group important?

It provides a comparison group where nothing changes, allowing researchers to determine whether the treatment caused the results.

Placebo - What is a placebo?

A treatment that does not produce a real effect but makes participants believe they are receiving treatment.

Basic vs. Applied Research - What is basic research?

Research that addresses fundamental questions and explores basic principles or relationships.

Basic vs. Applied Research - What is applied research?

Research that attempts to solve practical, real-world problems.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research - What is qualitative research?

Research that relies primarily on observations in natural settings and expresses data as words.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research - What is quantitative research?

Research that relies on experimental control and expresses data as numerical information.

Descriptive vs. Experimental Research - What is descriptive research?

Research that describes and records naturally occurring behaviors or events without manipulating variables.

Descriptive vs. Experimental Research - What is experimental research?

Research that manipulates variables to examine cause-and-effect relationships.

Good Research Design - What characteristics make a study strong?

• Random selection and assignment

• Control group (preferably placebo when possible)

• Large representative sample

• Multiple levels of independent variable manipulation (dose-response)

• Valid and reliable outcome measures

• Replication by other researchers

Capstone Project - What are the five major sections of a capstone research project?

1. Introduction

2. Review of Related Literature

3. Methods

4. Results

5. Discussion

Capstone Project - What is included in the Introduction?

What the study is about and why the topic is important.

Capstone Project - What is included in the Review of Related Literature?

Previous research related to the topic.

Capstone Project - What is included in the Methods section?

Exactly what was done during the study.

Capstone Project - What is included in the Results section?

What the researchers found from the data.

Capstone Project - What is included in the Discussion section?

What the findings mean in the context of previous research.

Research Articles - What is the purpose of an abstract?

To provide a summary of the entire study.

Research Articles - Are abstracts always completely accurate?

No. Your notes indicate they are not always completely accurate.

Research Articles - What are keywords?

Words that help others locate the article but are not necessarily included in the title.

Research Articles - How should an introduction be organized?

Like a funnel—starting broad and gradually narrowing to the specific research problem and purpose.

Research Articles - What questions should the introduction answer?

• What is the problem?

• Why should we care?

• What have previous studies found?

• What is missing?

• What will this study do?

Research Articles - Where is the purpose statement usually located?

In the last one or two sentences of the introduction.

Research Articles - Where are the hypotheses usually found?

Immediately before the purpose statement, often beginning with "We hypothesize..."

Research Articles - What information should the methods section include?

Research design, participants, dependent measures, and statistical analyses.

Research Articles - What information belongs in the statistical analysis portion of the methods?

The statistical test(s) performed on the data.

Research Articles - What should the results section include?

The findings for each dependent measure, p-values, tables, and graphs.

Research Articles - What does a p-value represent?

The probability value obtained from a statistical test.

Research Articles - What is the purpose of the discussion section?

To compare the study's findings with previous research and explain similarities or differences.

Research Articles - How should the discussion section be organized?

Each dependent measure should generally have its own discussion paragraph.

Research Articles - What is the purpose of the limitations section?

To explain factors that limit how broadly the findings can be applied and to suggest directions for future research.