Psychology Research Methods Vocabulary Flashcards

Flashcards covering key research methods terminology and concepts from Chapter 1.

evidence-based treatment

A psychotherapy technique whose effectiveness has been supported by empirical research.

empiricism

The use of verifiable evidence as the basis for conclusions; collecting data systematically and using it to develop, support, or challenge a theory.

quantitative method

A way of collecting empirical data in which information is converted to numbers for future statistical analysis.

qualitative method

A way of collecting empirical data that creates rich, in-depth descriptions of some phenomenon or group of people, often collected via interviews or extended observations.

reflexivity

A process in which researchers reflect on how their own values, biases, and experiences might shape the topics they study and the interpretations they make.

theory

A statement or set of statements that describes general principles about how variables relate to one another.

hypothesis

A statement of the specific result the researcher expects to observe from a particular study, if the theory is accurate.

data

A set of observations representing the values of some variable, collected from one or more research studies.

preregistered

A term referring to a study in which, before collecting any data, the researcher has stated publicly what the study's outcome is expected to be.

replication

The process of conducting a study again to test whether the result is consistent.

weight of the evidence

A conclusion drawn from reviewing scientific literature and considering the proportion of studies that is consistent with a theory.

falsifiability

A feature of a scientific theory, in which it is possible to collect data that will indicate that the theory is wrong.

self-correcting

A process in which scientists make their research available for peer review, replication, and critique, with the goal of identifying and correcting errors in the research.

universalism

One of Merton's four scientific norms, stating that scientific claims are evaluated according to their merit, independent of the researcher's credentials or reputation.

communality

One of Merton's four scientific norms, stating that scientific knowledge is created by a community, and its findings belong to the community.

disinterestedness

One of Merton's four scientific norms, stating that scientists strive to discover the truth, whatever it is, and are not swayed by conviction, idealism, politics, or profit.

organized skepticism

One of Merton's four scientific norms, stating that scientists question everything, including their own theories, widely accepted ideas, and ancient wisdom.

applied research

Research whose goal is to find a solution to a particular real-world problem.

basic research

Research whose goal is to enhance the general body of knowledge, without regard for direct application to practical problems.

journal

A monthly or quarterly periodical containing peer-reviewed articles on a specific academic discipline or subdiscipline, written for a scholarly audience.

journalism

News and commentary published or broadcast in the popular media and produced for a general audience.

cupboard theory

A theory of mother-infant attachment stating that a mother is valuable to a baby mammal because she is a source of food.

contact comfort theory

A theory proposed by Harry Harlow stating that babies are attached to their mothers because of the comfort of warm, fuzzy fur rather than food.