PSY 2174 Lecture Notes - Research Methodology

A set of vocabulary flashcards from the PSY 2174 lecture covering key concepts in research methodology.

Basic Research

Exploratory research aimed at understanding fundamental principles without targeting a specific problem.

Applied Research

Research conducted to address specific practical problems, often leading to applications that explain behaviors or phenomena.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts used in forming and maintaining beliefs, which can lead to errors in reasoning.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to focus on evidence that confirms existing beliefs while disregarding evidence that contradicts them.

Skepticism

The practice of pausing to consider alternative explanations and seeking evidence before accepting claims.

Empirical Research

Research based on observations and measurements of reality.

Nomothetic

Pertaining to the general case, as opposed to individual cases, often used in social research.

Causal Relationship

A relationship where one variable directly affects another, though conditions must be met to establish this.

Correlation

A statistical measure that describes the extent to which two variables change together, but does not imply causation.

Longitudinal Study

Research that collects data at least twice over a period to observe changes over time.

Independent Variable

The variable manipulated by the researcher to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured to see how it is affected by changes in the independent variable.

Hypothesis

A specific statement predicting the relationship between variables in research.

Null Hypothesis

A statement positing that no relationship exists between the variables being studied.

Alternative Hypothesis

The hypothesis that there is a relationship between the variables, which is investigated in hypothesis testing.

Unit of Analysis

The major entity being analyzed in a study, which determines the level at which data is collected.

Qualitative Data

Non-numeric data that describes qualities or characteristics.

Quantitative Data

Numeric data that can be quantified and subjected to statistical analysis.