PSYC 2305 Exam 1
Q: Why is it important to understand research methods?
A: It helps evaluate claims, distinguish scientific findings from pseudoscience, and make informed decisions.
Q: What is the difference between the scientific and pseudoscientific approach?
A: Scientific - Systematic, empirical, objective, and replicable. Pseudoscientific - Lacks empirical support, is not falsifiable, relies on anecdotal evidence.
Q: What are the four goals of scientific research?
A: Description, Prediction, Determination of Cause, Explanation
Q: What are the three elements needed to infer causation?
A: Temporal Order, Covariation of Cause and Effect, Elimination of Alternative Explanations
Q: What is the difference between basic and applied research?
A: Basic Research expands knowledge without immediate application; Applied Research solves real-world problems.
Chapter 2: Research Questions, Hypotheses, and Theories
Q: How are research questions, hypotheses, and predictions related?
A: Research questions guide the study, hypotheses predict relationships, and predictions specify expected outcomes.
Q: What are sources of research ideas?
A: Common Sense, Observation, Theories, Past Research, Practical Problems
Q: What are the two functions of a theory?
A: Organizes and explains findings, Generates new knowledge
Chapter 4: Variables and Validity
Q: What are the types of validity?
A: Construct, Internal, External, Statistical
Q: Define variable and operational definition.
A: Variable - Any factor that can change. Operational Definition - How a variable is measured or manipulated.
Q: What are the different types of relationships between variables?
A: Positive, Negative, Curvilinear, No Relationship
Q: What is the difference between non-experimental and experimental methods?
A: Non-experimental - Observational, correlational, no manipulation. Experimental - Manipulates variables to establish causation.
Q: What is the difference between independent and dependent variables?
A: Independent Variable (IV) - Manipulated; Dependent Variable (DV) - Measured.
Chapter 6: Observational Methods
Q: What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative methods?
A: Quantitative - Numerical data, statistical analysis. Qualitative - Descriptive, interpretative data.
Q: What are the types of observation?
A: Naturalistic Observation, Systematic Observation
Q: What are key methodological issues in observation?
A: Participation, Concealment, Equipment, Reactivity, Reliability, Sampling
Q: What are case studies and archival research?
A: Case Study - In-depth single case analysis. Archival Research - Analyzing existing records.
Chapter 8: Experimental Design
Q: What is a confounding variable?
A: An uncontrolled variable affecting results.
Q: What are the types of experimental designs?
A: Posttest-Only, Pretest-Posttest, Matched Pairs
Chapter 9: Experimental Controls & Dependent Variables
Q: What are the types of independent variable manipulations?
A: Straightforward, Staged Manipulations
Q: What are the three types of dependent variables?
A: Self-Report, Behavioral, Physiological
Q: What is the difference between ceiling and floor effects?
A: Ceiling Effect - Task too easy, high scores. Floor Effect - Task too difficult, low scores.
Q: How can participant and experimenter expectations be controlled?
A: Placebos, Blinding, Double-Blind Designs
Q: What are pilot studies and manipulation checks?
A: Pilot Study - Small-scale test before main study. Manipulation Check - Ensures IV was effectively manipulated.