Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to research methods in psychology.

Research Methods

Systematic approaches to acquiring knowledge in psychology, including qualitative and quantitative techniques.

Hypothesis

A specific, testable prediction about the expected outcome of a study.

Quantitative Research

Research methods that involve the collection and analysis of numerical data to identify patterns, averages, or trends.

Qualitative Research

Research methods that focus on understanding phenomena through the collection of non-numerical data such as interviews and observations.

Reliability

The degree to which an assessment tool produces stable and consistent results over time.

Validity

The extent to which an assessment tool measures what it is intended to measure.

Empiricism

The theory that knowledge is gained through direct observation and experience.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one's preconceptions.

Pseudoscience

Claims or beliefs that are presented as scientific but lack the empirical evidence or methods of legitimate scientific study.

Determinism

The philosophical concept that all events, including human actions, are determined by preceding events in accordance with the natural laws.