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What is the primary aim of psychological research?
To understand human behavior, cognition, and emotion through systematic observation, hypothesis testing, and data analysis.
What is the key principle of the scientific method?
Falsifiability, requiring theories to be structured so they can be examined for accuracy or limitations.
What are variables in psychological research?
Characteristics that can change and be measured for comparisons.
What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative data?
Qualitative data captures non-numerical information like text and speech, while quantitative data includes numerical information for statistical analysis.
Why is replication important in psychological research?
Replication ensures that findings are consistent and trustworthy, confirming results and protecting against fraudulent claims.
What does ethical research require regarding participants?
Informed consent, confidentiality, and minimizing harm to participants.
What is the definition of a population in research?
All members of a defined group that a researcher aims to study.
What sampling method gives every individual in the population a known and equal chance of selection?
Probability sampling.
What is matched-pairs design in experimental research?
Pairs participants based on specific characteristics, assigning each to different groups to reduce variability.
What is the purpose of using a control group in experiments?
To serve as a reference, receiving no treatment or a placebo to help differentiate the effects of the treatment.
What are extraneous variables?
Unanticipated factors that may affect results, such as dietary habits in a memory study.
How can biases from researchers affect a study?
They can distort results, influencing both the collection and interpretation of data.
What is ecological validity?
The extent to which research findings can be generalized to real-world settings.
What does a factorial design allow researchers to do?
Study interactions between multiple independent variables.
What is a key challenge with non-experimental studies?
They can identify relationships but cannot establish causation.
Why is it important to control for participant expectancies?
Participant behavior may change based on their perceptions of what is expected in the study.
What are the core principles of positivism in psychological research?
Prioritizing empirical evidence over personal intuition and focusing on quantifiable measures.
What is the role of operationalization in psychological research?
It involves defining abstract concepts in measurable terms, such as using an IQ test for intelligence.
What is the significance of pre-tests and post-tests in quasi-experimental designs?
They assess changes over time, providing insights into the impacts of an intervention.
What is the definition of research ethics?
Research ethics refers to the moral principles guiding research, ensuring integrity, honesty, and respect for participants.
What is a hypothesis in psychological research?
A hypothesis is a testable statement predicting the relationship between variables.
What are longitudinal studies?
Longitudinal studies involve repeated observations of the same variables over long periods.
What does statistical significance indicate in research findings?
Statistical significance indicates whether results are likely to be genuine and not due to random chance.
What is the importance of a literature review in research?
A literature review evaluates existing studies, providing context and identifying gaps for further research.
What are confounding variables?
Confounding variables are external influences that can affect the outcome of a study and lead to misleading conclusions.
What is qualitative analysis in psychological research?
Qualitative analysis involves examining non-numerical data to understand concepts, thoughts, or experiences.
What is informed consent?
Informed consent is the process of ensuring participants understand the study's risks and benefits before agreeing to take part.
What is a case study?
A case study is an intensive analysis of a single individual or group, providing deep insight into complex issues.
What role does peer review play in psychological research?
Peer review provides a quality check, ensuring research meets academic standards before publication.
What is a null hypothesis?
A null hypothesis states that there is no effect or difference between groups in a study.
What is random sampling?
Random sampling is a technique where each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the study.
What are descriptive statistics?
Descriptive statistics summarize and describe the characteristics of a data set.
What is a variable?
A variable is any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types in research.
What is the purpose of a survey in psychological research?
Surveys collect self-reported data from participants about their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors
