Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology

Research

Gathering information for knowledge acquisition.

Scientific Research

Collecting and analyzing data systematically.

Scientific Method

Process for conducting scientific investigations.

Theory

General statement on variable relationships.

Hypothesis

Testable prediction based on theory.

Conduct Study

Gather data to test hypotheses.

Analyze Data

Evaluate data to support or refute hypotheses.

Report Findings

Disseminate results of research studies.

Research Producer

Engages in research for academic or professional purposes.

Research Consumer

Utilizes research findings in various contexts.

Metaphysical Systems

Explains behavior through supernatural beliefs.

Animism

Attributing life-like qualities to inanimate objects.

Mythology & Religion

Explains behavior as influenced by divine entities.

Astrology

Behavior attributed to celestial bodies.

Philosophy

Critical thinking about human behavior.

Empiricism

Knowledge through systematic observation and experience.

Experimental Psychology

Study of behavior through controlled experiments.

Wundt

Founder of psychology; established first lab in 1879.

Theory-Data Cycle

Process of testing theories with empirical data.

Falsifiable Theory

Can generate testable hypotheses and be disproven.

Parsimonious Theory

Simple explanation requiring few assumptions.

Statistically Significant

Results unlikely due to chance; p < .05.

Not Statistically Significant

Results likely due to chance; p > .05.

Cupboard Theory

Attachment based on food provision by caregiver.

Weight of Evidence

Consideration of all data supporting a theory.

Data

Set of observations collected during research.

Good Theory

Supported by data, simple, and testable.

Research Design

Plan for how to conduct research study.

Contact comfort theory

Attachment due to nurturing, not just food.

Basic Research

Expands knowledge without immediate practical application.

Applied Research

Solves practical problems in real-world contexts.

Peer review

Evaluation of research by experts before publication.

Literature review

Summary of existing research on a topic.

Hypothesis

Testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

Naturalistic observation

Observing subjects in their natural environment.

Variables of interest

Key factors being studied in research.

Traffic crossing behaviors

Actions pedestrians take while crossing roads.

Summative conclusions

Final insights drawn from research findings.

Methodology

Systematic approach used to conduct research.

Gender differences in depression

Women exhibit higher depression rates than men.

Stress and academic behavior

Higher stress correlates with increased cheating.

Data collection

Gathering information for analysis in research.

Risky behavior hypothesis

Texters engage in more dangerous actions.

Length of observation

Duration of data collection, e.g., 20 minutes.

Traffic intersection

Area where different traffic types converge.

Citing references

Properly acknowledging sources in research writing.

Conflicting literature

Research findings that oppose each other.

Pedestrian Traffic

Foot traffic in areas where people walk.

Skateboard Traffic

Movement of skateboarders in designated lanes.

Automobile Traffic

Vehicles moving in designated roadways.

Tallying behaviors

Counting occurrences of specific actions observed.

Recognized problem

Identified issue requiring further investigation.

Theoretical implications

Consequences of research findings for existing theories.

Study purpose

Objective behind conducting a specific research study.

Scientific Journal

Publication for scholarly research and findings.

Journalism

Profession targeting the general public audience.

Misinformation

False information presented to attract attention.

Independent Variable

Variable manipulated to observe effects on dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

Outcome measured in an experiment.

Virtual Environment

Simulated setting for conducting experiments.

Distracted Pedestrians

Individuals using devices while walking.

Control Group

Group not exposed to experimental treatment.

Experimental Group

Group exposed to the treatment in an experiment.

Confound

Variable that influences dependent variable, complicating results.

Extraneous Variable

Personal factors affecting participants' behavior.

Probabilistic Research

Research that does not apply universally.

Confirmation Bias

Tendency to favor information confirming existing beliefs.

Availability Heuristic

Judging likelihood based on readily available memories.

Bias Blind Spot

Unawareness of one's own biases.

Credibility of Sources

Assessment of reliability and trustworthiness of information.

Secondhand Information

Information obtained indirectly from others.

Firsthand Information

Directly experienced or observed information.

Data Collection

Process of gathering information for analysis.

Methods Section

Part of research detailing procedures and participants.

Texting Impact

Effect of texting on pedestrian safety.

Social Interaction Confound

Socializing effects complicating exercise study results.

Research and Intuition

Balancing empirical evidence with personal insights.

Trusting Authorities

Reliance on experts for information validation.

Finding Research

Locating and reviewing scientific studies.

Journal Articles

Key sources for psychological research evidence.

Good Story Bias

Being influenced by compelling narratives.

Empirical journal article

Presents original data for the first time.

Review journal articles

Summarizes existing research on a topic.

Quantitative review article

Analyzes numerical data from multiple studies.

Meta-analysis

Statistical technique combining results from studies.

Qualitative review article

Describes and interprets non-numerical data.

Abstract

Concise summary of the study's purpose and findings.

Introduction

Outlines topic, background, hypothesis, and study purpose.

Methods

Details participants and procedures used in research.

Results

Presents data, often with charts and tables.

Discussion

Interprets results, discusses implications and limitations.

References

List of sources cited in the research.

PsycINFO

Database for psychology-related scholarly articles.

Google Scholar

Search engine for scholarly literature.

Statistically significant

Indicates a result unlikely due to chance.

Non-significant chi-square

Suggests no meaningful relationship in data.

Variable

Anything that can vary or change.

Constant

Stays the same throughout the study.

Manipulated Variable

Controlled by the researcher in experiments.

Measured Variable

Non-manipulated variables in research.