rd&a exam 1 review

Empirical research paper

A research report that presents original research findings based on observation or experimentation.

Abstract

A brief summary of a research article, typically outlining the main objectives and results.

Introduction

The section of a research article that provides background information and states the research question.

Method

The section of a research article that describes how the research was conducted.

Results

The section of a research article that presents the findings of the study.

Discussion

The section of a research article that interprets the results and discusses their implications.

Research question

A specific question that guides the research process and is intended to be answered through study.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.

Variable

Any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types in research.

Meta-analysis

A statistical technique that combines the results of multiple studies to identify patterns or overall effects.

Operational definition

A definition that specifies the exact procedures used to measure a variable.

Impact factor

A measure reflecting the yearly average number of citations to recent articles published in a journal.

Peer review

A process by which a scholarly work is evaluated by experts in the field before publication.

Predatory publisher

A publisher that exploits the open-access model by charging authors fees without providing proper editorial services.

PsycInfo

A database that provides access to psychological literature, including journal articles, books, and dissertations.

Common Sense

A source of research ideas based on everyday reasoning and understanding.

Practical Problems

Real-world issues that can inspire research questions and studies.

Observations of the World Around Us

Insights gained from observing phenomena in everyday life that can lead to research ideas.

Theories

Well-substantiated explanations of some aspect of the natural world that can be tested through research.

Good research question

A question that is narrow/specific enough that we could answer it (at least in part) with a study or series of studies.

Research hypothesis

A tentative explanation for the phenomena to be tested, often stated in the form of a prediction together with an explanation for the predicted outcome.

Example hypothesis

The effects of violent media may be stronger for video games than for passive television viewing because players are actively engaged in aggressive actions, thus increasing their aggressive tendencies.

Alternative hypothesis

The effects of video games might be less strong because players have opportunity to release their aggressive impulses that passive viewers do not.

Good hypotheses characteristics

Good hypotheses can be causal or correlational and must be testable.

Untestable hypothesis

A hypothesis is not testable when its constructs are not adequately defined, when it's circular, or when it appeals to ideas that are not recognized by science.

Scientific method

A systematic approach that includes designing the method, gathering and analyzing data, to determine support for hypotheses.

Impact Factor A

The number of times the journal's articles were cited within a two-year period.

Impact Factor B

The total number of research and review articles published in the journal from those same two years.

Variation in impact factor calculation

Impact factors can be calculated over different time periods (2, 5, or 10 years) and can vary based on what is counted as a citation.

Good impact factor

Varies by field and is somewhat open to interpretation.

Importance of impact factors

Impact factors are relevant for obtaining grant funding and promotion for research professors.

Perception of publications

A single publication in a highly reputable journal may be viewed as more favorable than many publications in less reputable journals.

Sections of empirical research article

Often divided into sections such as introduction, method, results, and discussion.

Theory article

Describes a theory and summarizes and integrates research to provide a new framework for understanding a phenomenon.

Appendix

A section where details pertaining to the method may be included, sometimes online versus in the printed version of the article.

Experimental design

A type of research design where variables are manipulated to observe effects.

Correlational design

A type of research design that examines the relationship between two or more variables without manipulation.

Observational design

A type of research design that involves observing subjects in their natural environment without interference.

Key words

Terms that help identify the type of article and its content.

Citations

References to other works that are included in an article, often more in literature reviews and meta-analyses.

Word length restrictions

Limitations on the number of words that can be used in a journal article, affecting the presentation sections.

Succinct sections

Shortened versions of the introduction and discussion sections in shorter articles.

Blurry line

The ambiguous distinction between literature reviews and meta-analyses.

Empirical articles

Articles that report on studies conducted by the authors, typically having fewer citations.

Empiricism

An approach that emphasizes observation and experience as the primary sources of knowledge.

Confirmation/Ethnocentric bias

The tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs and to view other cultures from the perspective of one's own.

Illusory correlation

The perception of a relationship between two variables when none exists.

Basic/applied research

Basic research aims to increase understanding of fundamental principles, while applied research seeks to solve practical problems.

Causes of behavior/causation

Factors that lead to specific behaviors in individuals.

Covariation

The degree to which two variables change together.

Temporal precedence/order

The principle that the cause must occur before the effect.

Alternative explanations/confounds

Other factors that could explain the observed relationship between variables.

Intuition/Skepticism

Intuition refers to understanding without conscious reasoning, while skepticism involves questioning the validity of claims.

Pseudoscience

Claims or beliefs that are presented as scientific but lack empirical support and cannot be tested.

Falsifiability

The ability of a theory to be proven wrong through evidence.

Goals of behavioral science

The objectives of behavioral science include description, prediction, determination of causes, and explanation of behavior.

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

ethical principles

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

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

To review research proposals to ensure ethical standards are met, particularly regarding participant safety.

categories of research review by an IRB

Exempt, Minimal Risk, and Greater than Minimal Risk.

Informed Consent

A process ensuring participants are fully aware of the research and agree to participate voluntarily.

principle of beneficence

The obligation to minimize harm and maximize benefits to participants.

deception

The act of misleading participants about the true nature of the study, which must be justified and followed by debriefing.

debriefing

provides participants with information about the study's purpose and addresses any misconceptions caused by deception.

potential risks in behavioral research

Physical harm, stress and distress, and breaches of confidentiality and privacy.

the Belmont Report

A foundational document outlining ethical principles and guidelines for research involving human subjects.

minimal risk research

involves risks that are no greater than those encountered in daily life

research fraud

The intentional misrepresentation of research findings or data.

plagiarism

Using someone else's work or ideas without proper attribution

social conformity (Asch Experiment)

The tendency of individuals to conform to group norms, even when they conflict with personal beliefs.

Milgram's obedience experiment

To study how far individuals would go in obeying authority figures, even when it involved harming others.

confederate

An actor or accomplice who participates in a study to manipulate the social situation without the participant's knowledge.

the implications of the Tuskegee Experiment

It highlighted the ethical violations in research, particularly regarding informed consent and the treatment of vulnerable populations.

risk-benefit analysis

A systematic approach to evaluating the potential risks and benefits of a study to ensure participant safety.

confidentiality

Ensuring that participants' personal information is protected and not disclosed without their consent.

types of IRB reviews

Exempt Review, Expedited Review, Limited Review, and Full Review.

role of the Cayuse platform

It is an online system used for submitting research proposals for IRB review.

misrepresentation

It involves presenting false information or data, which undermines the integrity of the research process.

What is the difference between independent and dependent variables?

Independent variables are manipulated to observe their effect, while dependent variables are measured to assess the impact of the independent variables.

positive linear relationship

A relationship where an increase in one variable leads to an increase in another variable.

curvilinear relationship

A relationship where the effect of one variable on another is not constant and changes direction at some point.

the third-variable problem

The issue that arises when an extraneous variable influences both the independent and dependent variables, potentially confounding the results.

the purpose of randomization

To eliminate bias by ensuring that each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any group, enhancing internal validity.

nonexperimental research methods

observe relationships without manipulation

experimental research methods

involve manipulation of variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships

limitation of laboratory experiments

Laboratory experiments may lack external validity because they are conducted in controlled settings that do not reflect real-world conditions.

correlation coefficient

A numerical measure that describes the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables.

Anscombe's Quartet

It illustrates how datasets with the same statistical properties can have very different distributions and relationships.

Multimethod Research

Using multiple research methods to study a phenomenon to enhance the validity and reliability of the findings.Recognizes that any one measure of behavior will be flawed/incomplete.

participant variables

Characteristics of participants that may influence the outcome of the research, such as age, gender, or personality traits.

extraneous variable

Any variable other than the independent variable that may affect the dependent variable, potentially confounding the results.

the role of operational definitions in research?

To clearly define how variables are measured or manipulated, ensuring clarity and consistency in research.

spurious relationship

A relationship between two variables that appears to be causal but is actually influenced by a third variable.

What is the importance of reading journal articles before class?

To prepare for discussions and to understand how to apply course concepts to the research presented.

field experiment

conducted in real-world settings with less control

What is internal validity?

The ability of researchers to make causal inferences, requiring temporal precedence, covariation, and elimination of alternatives.

How do researchers establish internal validity?

By using experimental designs to manipulate independent variables and observe changes in dependent variables.

What is external validity?

The extent to which findings from a study can be generalized to other samples, populations, or environments.

What is construct validity?

How well a study manipulates or measures the variable of interest, ensuring it accurately reflects the concept being studied.

What is statistical validity?

An indicator of how well the statistical conclusions capture research findings, influenced by sample size and appropriateness of statistical tests.