Multivariate Correlational Research Methods in Psychology

What does a multivariate design involve?

More than two measured variables.

What is the purpose of longitudinal designs?

To collect data over periods of time and help address temporal precedence.

What is a cross-sectional correlation?

A study that collects data at one singular timepoint.

What is a cross-lag correlation?

A type of analysis that examines the relationships between variables over time.

What is multiple regression used for?

To test for third variables and assess the relationship between multiple predictors and a singular outcome.

What does it mean to 'control for' a variable?

To account for the influence of a variable when analyzing the relationship between others.

What is a criterion variable?

The dependent variable in a regression analysis.

What is a predictor variable?

The independent variable in a regression analysis.

What is parsimony in scientific theory?

The principle that a theory should provide the simplest explanation of a phenomenon.

What is a mediator in research?

A variable that explains the mechanism or 'why' behind the relationship between predictor and criterion variables.

What is the third-variable problem?

The issue of ruling out confounding variables that may affect the relationship between two variables.

Why might experiments not always be possible?

Participants cannot be randomly assigned, preferences cannot be assigned, or it may be unethical.

What is the difference between simple regression and multiple regression?

Simple regression involves one predictor variable, while multiple regression involves multiple predictors.

What does the beta value in regression indicate?

It indicates the strength and direction of the association between variables.

What is the significance of temporal precedence in research?

It establishes the order of events to support causal claims.

What is the role of moderators in research?

They are third variables that affect the strength or direction of a relationship.

What does it mean to have internal validity?

The extent to which a study accurately establishes a causal relationship.

What is an example of a longitudinal study?

How Americans' trust in information from news organizations has changed over time.

What is the importance of hypothesis testing in multivariate designs?

It allows researchers to assess complex relationships between multiple variables.

What does Occam's razor refer to?

The principle that the simplest explanation is usually the best.

What are the three ethical principles outlined in the Belmont Report?

Respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.

What are the five ethical principles of the American Psychological Association (APA)?

Fidelity and Responsibility, Integrity, Justice, Respect for People's Rights and Dignity, and Beneficence and Nonmaleficence.

What ethical violations were present in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study?

Participants were not treated respectfully, were harmed by being denied treatment, and were a targeted disadvantaged social group.

What was the primary ethical concern in the Milgram obedience studies?

The stress and potential harm inflicted on participants during the experiment.

What is informed consent in research?

The obligation of researchers to explain the study to participants and allow them to decide whether to participate.

When might informed consent not be required?

In cases of naturalistic observation in low-risk public settings or when self-reporting non-intrusive questions.

What does the principle of respect for persons entail?

Informed consent and special protection for groups with limited autonomy, such as children and prisoners.

What is the principle of beneficence?

Assessing potential harm to participants and potential benefits to society while protecting participant privacy.

What does the principle of justice address in research?

Who bears the burden of research participation and ensuring fairness in research practices.

What is the role of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

To interpret ethical principles and ensure that research involving human participants is conducted ethically.

What are the THREE Rs in animal research ethics?

Replacement, Refinement, and Reduction.

What does 'Replacement' mean in the context of animal research?

Researchers should find alternatives to using animals whenever possible.

What does 'Refinement' entail in animal research?

Modifying procedures to minimize animal distress.

What does 'Reduction' refer to in animal research?

Designing studies that require the fewest animal subjects possible.

What constitutes research misconduct?

Plagiarism, data fabrication, and data falsification.

What is plagiarism in research?

Representing the ideas or words of others as one's own.

What is the significance of debriefing in research ethics?

To inform participants about the true nature of the study and address any potential misconceptions or distress.

How does ethical decision-making in research require balancing priorities?

It involves weighing the potential harm to participants against the societal benefits of the knowledge gained.

What was the purpose of the Nuremberg Code established in 1947?

To set ethical standards for conducting research involving human subjects.

What is the APA Standard 8 regarding research ethics?

It outlines ethical standards for research, including informed consent, deception, debriefing, and research misconduct.

What is the ethical concern regarding deception in research?

Participants may be misled about the nature of the study, which raises ethical questions about informed consent.

What is the importance of confidentiality in psychological research?

To protect participants' privacy and ensure their data is handled securely.

What is a common cause of unintentional plagiarism among students?

Poor paraphrasing skills and poor citations.

How should direct quotations be cited?

Using quotation marks.

What must be included when paraphrasing?

The author's name and year.

What constitutes plagiarism in paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing that is too close to the original text, even if cited.

What is the 'rat race' culture in academic publishing?

A culture where the pressure to publish leads researchers to take shortcuts.

What are questionable research practices (QRPs)?

Decisions in design, analysis, and reporting that increase the likelihood of false positive results.

What is P-Hacking?

Systematic manipulation of a project to produce statistically significant results.

What is the purpose of the Center for Open Science?

To increase openness, integrity, and reproducibility of scientific research.

What is the difference between reproducibility and replicability?

Reproducibility means a study can be duplicated, while replicability means similar results are produced from previous studies.

What are direct replications?

Studies that replicate the exact procedures of the original study.

What are conceptual replications?

Studies that replicate hypotheses but may deviate in measures or manipulations.

What is a replication + extension study?

A study that replicates original findings and examines additional hypotheses or variables.

What was the outcome of the Reproducibility Project (2015)?

Only about 1/3 of the studies replicated successfully.

What is the file drawer problem?

The tendency for null results and opposite results to rarely be published.

What should researchers do to improve research credibility?

Increase disclosure in methods, pre-register hypotheses, and share data.

What is meta-analysis?

A method that synthesizes and summarizes a large body of research.

What is a weakness of meta-analysis?

It can produce unreliable results if the input studies are flawed ('garbage in, garbage out').

What is the importance of understanding research methods?

It helps in conducting reliable studies and interpreting research findings.

What are some skills important for conducting real studies?

Improving research and writing skills, understanding the research process, and getting involved in lab experiments.

What are some career pathways for psychology graduates?

Research-oriented roles, graduate programs, and various careers in psychology.

What is the significance of historical and ethical aspects in psychological research?

They inform modern implications and guide responsible research practices.

What should researchers be aware of regarding controversial studies?

Their modern implications and how they apply to real-world issues.