PSY3A Research Methods - Week 8 Flashcards

Flashcards based on PSY3A Research Methods lecture notes covering methods of acquiring knowledge, the scientific method, the research process, and finding research ideas.

What are the methods of acquiring knowledge discussed in Week 8?

Method of Tenacity, Method of Intuition, Method of Authority, Rational Method, and Empirical Method.

What is the Method of Tenacity?

Sticking to a long-held belief, which may be based on superstition, habit, or folklore.

What is the Method of Intuition?

Knowing something is true based on a 'gut feel' or feeling.

What is the Method of Authority?

Relying on experts' opinions, written texts, or academic scholars; includes the method of faith based on religious leaders/texts.

What is the Rational Method (rationalism)?

Seeking answers based on the use of logical reasoning, involving a premise statement, a logical argument, and a conclusion.

What are the limitations of the rational method?

One might not always argue logically, or one’s premise might not be true.

What is the Empirical Method (empiricism)?

Using sensory observation or personal experience to acquire knowledge.

What is a problem associated with the empirical method?

Observation can be deceiving, and prior knowledge, beliefs, and expectations can lead to bias.

What are the key principles of the scientific method?

Empirical (based on empirical research), public (can be replicated), and objective.

What are the steps in the scientific method?

Observe, hypothesize, generate a testable prediction, evaluate the prediction through systematic observations, and use observations to support, refute, or refine the hypothesis.

What is a hypothesis?

A statement describing how certain variables are related.

What are the steps in the research process?

Finding a research idea, forming a hypothesis and prediction, defining and measuring variables, identifying and selecting participants, selecting a research strategy, selecting a research design, conducting the study, evaluating the data, reporting the results, and refining/reformulating the research idea.

What is involved in Step 1: Finding a research idea?

Selecting a topic, searching the literature, and identifying important unanswered questions/research gaps using inductive reasoning.

What are the characteristics of good hypotheses?

Logical, testable, refutable/falsifiable, and positive.

What are common sources for finding a general research topic?

Personal interests, casual observations, practical problems, reading reports, and behavioral theories.

What topics should be avoided when finding a general research topic?

Uninteresting, too safe, too easy, too difficult, too broad, too narrow, and too under-researched topics.

What is the purpose of a literature search?

To familiarize oneself with a particular area of study, to identify gaps in the literature, and to find articles to support a proposed study.

What is the difference between primary and secondary data?

Primary data comes from the original report of the study, while secondary data is information about a study from another (secondary) source.

Name relevant databases for research.

PsychINFO, PsycArticles, ERIC, Medline, African Journals Online and Sabinet African Journals.

How to convert a research idea into a hypothesis & prediction?

Hypothesis must be based on target sample, specify variables, and measurement techniques.

What are some questions to ask when critically reviewing the Introduction section of a research article?

Is there a literature review? Is there a rationale? Are there hypotheses? Are there predictions?

What are some questions to ask when critically reviewing the Method section of a research article?

Who are the participants? What are the procedures? What measures/instruments are used?

What are some questions to ask when critically reviewing the Results section of a research article?

What statistical analyses were used? Is there statistical significance? What are the effect sizes?

What are some questions to ask when critically reviewing the Discussion section of a research article?

Is there support for hypotheses? Are the conclusions justified? Are there alternative explanations? What are the applications? What are the limitations? What are the implications?