PSYC1001: Inquiry

What is psychology?

A scientific study of human behavior and the human mind.

What are the core features of science?

Empiricism, objectivity, falsifiability, systematic reliability, replicability, and tentativeness.

What does empirical research in psychology rely on?

Direct observation, experimentation, and data rather than opinion.

What is the scientific method?

A process that includes procedures, guidelines, assumptions, and attitudes for conducting science.

What is the definition of psychological literacy?

The intentional application of psychological science to meet personal, professional, and societal goals.

What does the scientist-practitioner model of psychology emphasize?

The interaction between research and practice, where scientific findings inform practice and vice versa.

What does WEIRD stand for in psychology research?

Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic.

What is the significance of WEIRD samples in psychological research?

They represent only 12% of the world's population, leading to questions about the generalizability of findings.

What is the self-serving bias?

The tendency for individuals to view themselves positively, often seen as psychologically healthy.

How do non-Western samples differ in self-perception compared to Western samples?

Non-Western samples may not display the same degree of self-serving bias, with some showing self-effacing bias.

What is replication in psychological research?

The reproducibility of research findings across multiple studies with different participant samples.

What are methods in psychological research?

Specific tools used to collect data, categorized into quantitative and qualitative approaches.

What is methodology in psychological research?

The theoretical and philosophical framework that justifies the choice of methods.

What is the importance of reflexivity in psychology?

It involves recognizing how personal assumptions and backgrounds can shape psychological knowledge.

What does the term 'scientific skepticism' entail?

Keeping an open mind, accepting claims with adequate evidence, and being willing to change one's mind.

What is the role of Indigenous knowledges in psychology?

They provide alternative perspectives on knowledge acquisition, community interconnection, and engagement with the world.

What is the definition of a scientific theory?

A holistic explanation of a collection of phenomena grounded in evidence, explaining how or why something occurs.

What is the challenge of observing human behavior in psychology?

It is impossible to be wholly objective when observing human behavior, as researchers are also human.

What is the impact of cognitive biases on scientific thinking?

Cognitive biases can limit scientific thinking and affect scientists' evaluations and conclusions.

What does it mean for scientific knowledge to be tentative?

Scientific knowledge is constantly updated with new data and theories.

What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative methods?

Quantitative methods collect numeric data, while qualitative methods collect non-numeric (descriptive) data.

What is the significance of the 2008 and 2018 studies regarding WEIRD samples?

96% of research published in top psychology journals used WEIRD samples in 2008, and 95% in 2018.

What does the term 'falsifiable' mean in scientific research?

The ability of a theory or hypothesis to be proven wrong through evidence.

What is the importance of systematic reliability in scientific research?

It ensures that methods follow systematic processes that can be replicated to achieve reliable results.

How does psychological knowledge historically reflect Western assumptions?

Psychological knowledge, methods, and methodologies have been shaped by Western philosophies and practices.

What are the implications of assuming knowledge from a small subset of the population applies broadly?

It can lead to incorrect generalizations and misunderstandings of human behavior.

What is Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB)?

An approach to research that recognizes cultural differences and the impact of upbringing on understanding.

What is the significance of the Australian Psychological Society's apology in 2017?

It acknowledged the historical racism and exclusion within the field of Psychology towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Define cultural competence.

The ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from different cultures, recognizing diversity and adapting behaviors.

What does cultural humility entail?

Recognizing that no one can fully understand all aspects of any cultural group and committing to self-reflection and learning.

What is reflexivity in research?

Reflecting on one's own background, experiences, and biases and how they impact research work.

What are the two main categories of research methods in psychology?

Quantitative and qualitative methods.

What is the difference between methods and methodology in psychology?

Methods refer to the specific techniques used for data collection, while methodology refers to the theoretical framework and justification for using those methods.

What is an independent variable?

A variable that is manipulated to observe its effect on a dependent variable.

What is a dependent variable?

A variable that is measured to see how it is affected by changes in the independent variable.

What are categorical variables?

Variables that represent distinct categories or groups.

What are numeric variables?

Variables that represent measurable quantities and can take on numeric values.

What is covariance in research?

The degree to which two variables change together, indicating a relationship.

What is temporal precedence?

The principle that the cause must occur before the effect in a causal relationship.

What is the purpose of experimental methods in research?

To establish cause and effect by controlling for alternative explanations.

What is the difference between cross-sectional and longitudinal studies?

Cross-sectional studies collect data at one point in time, while longitudinal studies collect data over an extended period.

Define research aims.

Broad overviews of what a study intends to achieve.

What is a research question?

A specific question that the study aims to answer.

What is a research hypothesis?

A testable prediction of what the study expects to find, specific to quantitative research.

What is the difference between a population and a sample?

A population is the entire group of interest, while a sample is a subset of that population from which data is collected.

What is operationalization in research?

The process of defining how variables will be measured and assessed in a study.

What is the importance of triangulating information in research?

It provides a more holistic understanding of psychological phenomena by combining findings from different studies and methods.

What is the role of existing research literature in operationalization?

It informs decisions based on what has been done before and the current understanding of the topic.

What is the significance of self-report methods?

They allow participants to provide their own perspectives and experiences, but may be subject to bias.

What are observational/behavioral methods?

Research methods that involve observing participants' behaviors rather than relying on self-reports.

What is the goal of qualitative research?

To gather in-depth, descriptive data about participants' experiences and perspectives.

What is the goal of quantitative research?

To collect numeric data that can be statistically analyzed to identify patterns and relationships.

What are the four levels of measurement in research?

Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, and Ratio.

What is the primary focus of psychological research?

Understanding and studying people on a large scale.

What does correlation measure?

The strength of the relationship between two variables.

What is a positive correlation?

Higher scores on one variable are associated with higher scores on another variable.

What is a negative correlation?

Higher scores on one variable are associated with lower scores on another variable.

How do we typically compare two groups in research?

By comparing their average (mean) scores.

What is statistical significance?

A process to determine if a pattern or association observed in a sample likely exists in the population.

What does a small p-value indicate?

A low probability that the observed pattern does not exist in the population, suggesting statistical significance.

What is the difference between statistical significance and effect size?

Statistical significance indicates whether an effect exists, while effect size measures the strength or size of that effect.

What is qualitative research in psychology?

Research that emphasizes understanding, exploring, and contextualizing human experiences.

What are common qualitative data collection methods?

Interviews, focus groups, observations, and document analysis.

What is the purpose of interviews in qualitative research?

To elicit participants' experiences through structured, semi-structured, or unstructured conversations.

What is reflexivity in qualitative research?

The process of self-reflecting on the researcher's perspectives and how they impact the research.

What is internal validity?

The degree to which a study accurately demonstrates cause-and-effect relationships.

What is external validity?

The degree to which study findings can be generalized beyond the specific sample or context.

What is the role of effect sizes in research?

To emphasize the size or strength of an effect, providing practical significance.

What is the significance of qualitative data in psychology?

It provides rich, detailed insights into participants' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

What are participatory methods in qualitative research?

Methods where participants act as co-researchers, contributing to the research process.

What is yarning in qualitative research?

A storytelling methodology that involves sharing stories to develop knowledge.

What are the key stages of qualitative data analysis?

Data is analyzed for themes and meaning through multiple stages of analysis.

What does the term 'operational definition' refer to?

A clear definition of how a variable will be measured in a study.

What is the importance of understanding group differences?

It helps in comparing and interpreting average scores across different groups.

What is the significance of open-ended questions in qualitative interviews?

They allow participants to express their thoughts and experiences in their own words.

Why is methodological rigor important in qualitative research?

It ensures the reliability and validity of the research findings.

What is the aim of qualitative research?

To explore and understand the complexity of human experiences and social phenomena.

How do qualitative methods differ from quantitative methods?

Qualitative methods focus on understanding context and meaning, while quantitative methods emphasize measurement and statistical analysis.

What is the primary focus of internal validity in research?

To ensure controlled, consistent conditions and environments, allowing for determination of causation.

What is the primary focus of external validity in research?

To ensure that findings can be generalized to real-world settings with diverse participants, times, and contexts.

Which type of research methods typically have higher external validity?

Qualitative research methods.

Which type of research methods typically have higher internal validity?

Quantitative research methods.

What is a primary empirical research study?

A study where a researcher designs the study and collects new empirical data to answer a research question.

What is research synthesis?

A review of existing data on a topic to summarize evidence across multiple primary studies.

What are the four core values of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research?

Research merit and integrity, Justice, Beneficence, and Respect.

What does the principle of 'Justice' in research ethics entail?

Fair selection of participants and no exploitation of participants.

What does the principle of 'Beneficence' in research ethics require?

That risks of harm must be outweighed by benefits and minimized.

What is the significance of the Nuremberg Code?

It established 10 ethical principles for human research following medical experimentation abuses during WWII.

What did the Declaration of Helsinki expand upon?

It expanded the ethical principles established by the Nuremberg Code for medical research on humans.

What is the purpose of Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs)?

To review and approve research conducted within universities and government bodies to ensure ethical standards are met.

What is the AIATSIS Code of Ethics focused on?

Research ethics concerning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, emphasizing self-determination and leadership.

What does Indigenous self-determination mean in research ethics?

Recognition and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' right to make their own decisions and set priorities.

What is the role of Indigenous leadership in research according to AIATSIS?

Research should be led by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, ensuring genuine decision-making.

What does the principle of 'Impact and value' entail in Indigenous research ethics?

Research must aim to benefit Indigenous peoples.

What does 'Sustainability and accountability' mean in the context of research ethics?

Researchers must be accountable for their actions long-term and ensure research meets present and future needs.

What is emotional contagion as described in the Facebook Study?

The unconscious transfer of emotional states between people.

What was a key ethical issue in the Facebook Study (Kramer et al., 2014)?

Consent was not conscious, which was consistent with Facebook's Data Policy.

What is the historical significance of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research?

It serves as the ethics framework governing Australian research from 2007 to 2025.

What is the relationship between primary research and research synthesis?

Primary research collects new data, while research synthesis summarizes existing data to identify broader trends.

What must researchers ensure regarding risks in research according to ethical principles?

Risks must always be lower than the potential benefits, and if risks outweigh benefits, the research must be stopped.