Psychological Research Methods

Flashcards covering key concepts in psychological research methods.

__ is the definition of research.

A systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data using the scientific method.

In research, being __ means that results can be repeated under the same conditions.

Results can be repeated under the same conditions.

In research, being __ means that hypotheses can be disproven.

Hypotheses can be disproven.

In research, being __ means that measurements and observations are accurate.

Measurements and observations are accurate.

In research, being __ means that explanations are simple and avoid unnecessary complexity.

Explanations are simple and avoid unnecessary complexity.

__ research focuses on numerical data and objectivity and involves hypothesis testing.

Focuses on numerical data and objectivity; involves hypothesis testing.

__ research observes and describes phenomena.

Observes and describes phenomena.

__ research examines relationships between variables.

Examines relationships between variables.

__ research manipulates variables to establish causation.

Manipulates variables to establish causation.

__ research is similar to experimental but lacks random allocation.

Similar to experimental but lacks random allocation.

__ research studies participants over time.

Studies participants over time.

__ research studies participants at a single point in time.

Studies participants at a single point in time.

__ research focuses on non-numerical data to understand behaviors and experiences.

Focuses on non-numerical data to understand behaviors and experiences.

Core ethical principles in research include __.

Respect for autonomy and dignity, scientific integrity, social responsibility, maximizing benefits and minimizing harm.

A __ guides the investigation and must be clear, concise, and complex.

Guides the investigation and must be clear, concise, and complex.

The __ states that there is no effect or difference.

No effect or difference.

The __ suggests an effect or difference.

Suggests an effect or difference.

Examples of __ include simple random, stratified, cluster, and systematic.

Simple random, stratified, cluster, systematic.

Examples of __ include convenience, purposive, snowball, and quota.

Convenience, purposive, snowball, quota.

__ summarize data using measures like mean, median, mode, range, and standard deviation.

Summarize data using measures like mean, median, mode, range, and standard deviation.

__ draw conclusions about populations based on samples.

Draw conclusions about populations based on samples.

The __ states that large samples result in normal distribution.

Large samples result in normal distribution.

A __ is a false positive (rejecting a true null hypothesis).

False positive (rejecting a true null hypothesis).

A __ is a false negative (failing to reject a false null hypothesis).

False negative (failing to reject a false null hypothesis).

A __ compares means of two related groups.

Compares means of two related groups.

The __ is a non-parametric alternative for paired data.

Non-parametric alternative for paired data.

An __ compares means across two independent groups.

Compares means across two independent groups.

The __ is a non-parametric alternative to the independent t-test.

Non-parametric alternative to independent t-test.

A __ observes relationships between variables without implying causation.

Observes relationships between variables without implying causation.

An __ manipulates variables to observe effects, allowing causal inferences.

Manipulates variables to observe effects, allowing causal inferences.

A __ is similar to experimental but lacks random allocation.

Similar to experimental but lacks random allocation.

The typical structure of a research report includes ___.

Title, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, References, Appendices.

In qualitative research, __ refers to the nature of reality.

Nature of reality (Positivism vs. Social Constructivism).

In qualitative research, __ refers to how we gain knowledge.

How we gain knowledge (Positivism vs. Social Constructivism).

Steps in __ include familiarization, coding, theme development, refinement, and writing.

Familiarization, coding, theme development, refinement, and writing.

The __ level of measurement involves categories without hierarchy (e.g., gender).

Categories without hierarchy (e.g., gender).

The __ level of measurement involves ordered categories (e.g., rankings).

Ordered categories (e.g., rankings).

The __ level of measurement involves equal intervals but no true zero (e.g., temperature in °C).

Equal intervals but no true zero (e.g., temperature in °C).

The __ level of measurement involves equal intervals with a true zero (e.g., reaction times).

Equal intervals with a true zero (e.g., reaction times).