Psychology Chapter 1 PP

scientific method

a reliable way of investigating natural world that has 5 steps

5 steps of scientific method

empiricism

hypothesize

experimentation and data analysis

theorize

replication

empiricism

observation

start with observations and assumptions about natural or physical world

hypothesize

create a testable prediction of how we think something works

experimentation and data analysis

collect data and analyze results with statistics

theorize

put experiment results into context of other research findings to create theories

replication

repeat experiment to make sure results are consistent and reliable

empiricism

idea that science begins with observation of natural world through our senses

hypothesis

testable statement of prediction of careful factors of what has been observed

convenience sample

method for collecting research participants where a researcher asks anyone who happens to be near the research location

self-selected sample

method for recruiting research participants where participants often volunteer to receive course credit or financial compensation

random sample

research makes a choice on how to randomly select a sample of the population

may include phone numbers or addresses

WEIRD problem

problem in psych where research participants are not a good representation of whole population

WEIRD participants are

western

educated

industrialized

rich

democratic societies

NCPHS

national commission for the protection of human subjects of biomedical and behavioral research

belmont report 3 rules

respect for person

beneficence- maximize benefit and minimize harm

justice- targeted groups should not be exploited

internal review board IRB

group of people evaluate whether the proposed research will treat participants ethically

animals are used in research because

there is a continuity in the fundamental processes underlying behavior in animals and humans

strict guidelines and oversight protect animals

methods of experimentation

independent variable

dependent variable

between-subject design

within-subject design

independent variable

what is manipulated by researcher

dependent variable

data collected in an experiment that has the potential to reflect changes in independent variable

between-subject design

experimental protocol where different groups experience levels of the independent variables

within-subject design

experimental protocol where same individuals experience different levels of the independent variable

confounding variable

extraneous variable that unintentionally influences results

researchers try to limit confounding variables

placebo effect

behavior changes that are observed when someone thinks they have taken medication or performed a behavior that they believe will reduce symptoms of a physical or psychological disorder

single-blind

experimental design where participants does not know experimental design or level of independent variable they receive

double-blind

experimental protocol where neither participant nor researcher has knowledge of experimental condition experienced by participant

single and double blind methods

help reduce subjectivity and increase objectivity in research

correlational research design

research design where experimenter looks for how data collected about different variables change or do not change together

scatter plots

graph design where single point represents an individual’s response on two variables represented on the x and y axis of the graph

longitudinal research design

experimental design didn’t fall for recording same measurements over a short and long period of time often from same participants

cross-sectional design

experimental design that samples from a diverse population such as different age groups

naturalistic observation

experimental design that takes a hands off approach to data collection such as watching children interact in the classroom

case study

method where research is conducted with one participant who has unique characteristics

archival data

method of conducting research by evaluating data that has already been collected and made available to researcher

meta-analysis

method of research where results from many studies that investigate the same topic are reviewed and summarized

good for looking at larger trends

Likert Scale

often used to get a range score on questions in surveys

mean

aka average

measure of central tendency where scores are summed and divided by number of measurements or participants

median

used to describe middle number in list of numbers where there is an equal number of values above and below median number

standard deviation

statistical term that represents the variability in a data set

null hypothesis

first assumption in statistics that there are no differences between groups or variables

a statistic may allow the researcher to reject null hypothesis

statistics often use

mean or medias as well as measures of variance such as standard deviation

graphs and stats can be

misleading

publication bias

a train where only research that produces results that support their hypothesis is published

might encourage unethical data manipulation

reliability

measure of strength of a research design by degree that same or similar results will be observed if conducted again at a different time

validity

measure of strength of a research design by the degree to which it accurately tests what it was intended to test

internal validity

determines whether changes to dependent variable are due to levels of independent variable and not some other factor

external validity

extent to which results of study can be generalized to other settings or participants

theory

statement of explanation of some aspect of natural world that is well supported by evidence

better evidence better theory

theories adapt with new evidence

some of best theories create new questions

replication

important but often overlooked final step in scientific method where complete or part of experimental theory is conducted again to support results

psych and other sciences often have problems with replication

suggestions for improving replication in psych research

promote and value replication

conduct meta-analysis

publish null results

require submission of raw data

emphasize effect sizes

preregister

researchers submit experimental design, specific hypothesis, and intended participants

journal may choose to publish results based on

preregistration

provide raw data upon completion of experiment

preregistration reduces

publication biases and data manipulation