"Unit Zero" - Research Design

Flashcards for reviewing basic research concepts and ethical guidelines.

What is a hypothesis?

A tentative explanation that must be falsifiable.

Define operational definition.

A clear, precise, and quantifiable definition of variables that allows replication and collection of reliable data.

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative data?

Qualitative data is descriptive (e.g., eye color), while quantitative data is numerical and ideal for statistics.

What is a population in research?

Everyone the research could apply to.

What is a sample in research?

The people (or person) specifically chosen for a study.

What is the primary advantage and disadvantage of correlational research?

Advantage: Useful when experiments are unethical. Disadvantage: Correlation does not equal causation.

Describe the directionality problem in correlation.

Uncertainty about which variable causes the other (e.g., does depression cause low self-esteem, or vice versa?).

What is the third variable problem?

A different variable is responsible for the observed relationship (e.g., ice cream sales and murder rates).

What is a positive correlation?

Variables increase and decrease together.

What is a negative correlation?

As one variable increases, the other decreases.

In correlation, what does the strength of the number indicate?

The stronger the number, the stronger the relationship, regardless of the positive or negative sign. Cannot be < or > than 1.

What is the key advantage and disadvantage of experiments?

Advantage: Only type that establishes cause and effect. Disadvantage: Can be unethical or too artificial.

Define independent and dependent variables.

Independent Variable: Purposely altered by researcher. Dependent Variable: Measured variable that is dependent on the independent variable.

What is the experimental group and control group?

Experimental Group: Receives the treatment. Control Group: Receives a placebo or baseline treatment.

What is the placebo effect?

Any observed effect on behavior caused by the placebo itself.

Describe a double-blind experiment.

Neither the participant nor the experimenter knows which condition people are assigned to.

What is a confound in research?

An error or flaw in a study that is accidentally introduced.

What is random assignment and why is it important?

Assigning participants to control or experimental groups at random to increase the chance of equal representation among groups which helps determine Cause / Effect

What is naturalistic observation?

Observing people in their natural settings.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of naturalistic observation?

Advantage: Real-world validity. Disadvantage: No cause and effect.

What is a case study?

Studies ONE person (usually) in great detail

What are the advantages and disadvantages of case studies?

Advantage: collect lots of info. Disadvantage: No cause/effect

What is a meta-analysis?

Combines multiple studies to increase sample size and examine effect sizes

What are descriptive statistics?

Show the shape of the data

What are the measures of central tendency?

Mean: Average. Median: Middle number. Mode: Occurs most often.

What are bimodal distributions typically indicative of?

good/bad scores

How is skewness created?

by outliers

In a negatively skewed distribution, where is the mean located?

to the left (neg side)

What are inferential statistics used for?

Establishes significance (meaningfulness)

What is statistical significance?

Results not due to chance; the experimental manipulation caused the difference in means.

What does p < .05 indicate?

Statistical significance.

What does effect size indicate?

Data has practical significance.

List some ethical guidelines in research.

Confidentiality, informed consent (and assent for minors), debriefing, deception must be warranted, no harm.

What is self-report bias in surveys?

Errors when collecting survey data due to social desirability or wording effects.

What is random sampling (selection)?

Method for choosing participants where everyone has a chance to take part.

What does random Sample allow you to do?

Generalize.

What does random assignment allow you to do?

Determine Cause/Effect

Define representative and convenience samples.

Representative Sample: Mimics the general population. Convenience Sample: Selects participants on availability.

What is sampling bias?

Sample isn't representative, often due to convenience sampling.

How can cultural norms influence research results?

Behaviors of a particular group can influence research results.

What is experimenter/participant bias?

Experimenter/participant expectations influence the outcome.

What is confirmation bias?

Finding info that supports our preexisting beliefs

What is hindsight bias?

"I knew it all along"

What is the Hawthorne effect?

Ppl change behavior when watched