Research Methods Exam 2

Correlation Research Design

-Measures two variables for each individual
>Seen best on a scatter plot
>Correlation does not equal causation

Experimental Research Design

-Answer cause and effect questions about the relationship between two variables

Descriptive Research Design

-Describes individual variables; obtains a snapshot of group characteristics
>Averages/precents

Interval Method of Behavioral Observation

-Dividing observation period into intervals and recording behavior during intervals

Frequency Method of Behavioral Observation

-Counting instances of specific behavior

Content Analysis Research

-Measures the occurrence of specific events in literature, television, or similar media presenting replicas of behavior

Archival Research

-Measures behavior/events that occur in the past

Accessible Population

-The people that the research can realistically involve in the study
>Careful with generalization

Target Population

-The group defined by researchers’ specific interests

Methods Section of a Systematic Review

-Explains how one found, selected, and evaluated the research studies in said review
>Design, search strategy, inclusion criteria, exclusion criteria, study selection process, data extraction, quality assessment

Duration Method of Behavioral Observation

-Fixed time observation

Habituation in Behavioral Observation

-Repeatedly exposing participants to an observer until the observer’s presence is no longer novel

Generalization

-Involves applying results beyond specific participants/conditions

Proportionate Stratified Sampling

-Sample obtained by subdividing the population into strata, then randomly selecting from each stratum a number of participants so that proportions in both the sample and the population correspond

Quota Sampling

-Established for individuals to be selected through convenience from each subgroup to reach the desired sample size
>Can give control over convenience sampling

Law of Large Numbers

-The larger the sample, the more representative it is, smaller = less

Population

-All individuals of interest

Sample

-Specific set of individuals who participate in a research study

Convivence Sampling

-Participants are obtained by selecting those most willing and able
>Biased sample

Probability Sampling

-Every member of the defined population has a known chance of being selected, the exact size of the population must be known

Non-Probability Sampling

-Odds of selecting a particular individual are unknown

External Validity

-The extent to which results of a study can be generalized

Threats to External Validity

-Any characteristics that limit generalization of a study
 -Category 1: Generalizing across participants or subjects
>Selection Bias

• -Category 2: Generalizing across features of a study
  >Fatigue

       -Category 3: Generalizing across features of the measures

Internal Validity

-Factors in research study that raise doubts/questions about interpretations or results

Threats to Internal Validity

-Any factor allowing for an alternative explanation for results
-Extraneous variables: Any variables in a research study other than the specific variables being studied

-Confounding variables are extraneous variables (usually unmonitored)

Volunteer Bias

-Individuals who volunteer are not representative of the population

Participant Observation

-Researchers interact with participants and become one of them

Open-Ended Survey Question

-Introduce a topic and allow participants to respond in their own words

Rating Scale Survey Questions

-Required selection of numerical values on a predetermined scale

Time Sampling Method of Behavioral Observation

-Observing for one interval, then pausing and recording observations