In-Depth Notes for State Mandated Quiz Review

State Mandated Quiz Overview

• Topics covered by the quiz include:

  • Scientific Method

  • Statistical Applications

  • Measurement Principles

  • Consumers of Research

  • Research Ethics

Scientific Method

• Key Concepts:

  • Understanding the scientific method in psychological research.

  • Formulating testable research hypotheses.

  • Evaluating plausible alternative hypotheses.

  • Importance of replication and distinguishing between science and pseudoscience.

  • Differences between experimental and correlational studies.

• Theoretical Framework:

  • Theory: A broader explanatory framework guiding research.

  • Hypothesis: A specific prediction about the outcomes of a study based on theory.

  • Research design is influenced by the underlying theory; researchers conduct studies and adjust hypotheses based on supporting or nonsupporting data.

• Pseudoscience:

  • Resembles science but lacks rigorous evidence/testing.

  • Science focuses on generating self-correcting evidence and replication for credibility.

• Research Design Types:

  • Correlational Design: Identifies relationships (e.g., hours slept correlating with alertness).

  • Experimental Design: Involves manipulating variables to establish causation (e.g., effects of deeper processing on memory recall).

  • Quasi-experimental Design: Lacks full control (e.g., studying the effects of Greek life on self-perception).

  • Causal Conclusions: Only valid in true experiments with manipulated independent variables and random assignment.

Statistical Applications

• Key Concepts:

  • Knowledge of statistical tests used in psychological research, including:

  • Correlation

  • t-tests

  • Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

• Descriptive Statistics:

  • Central Tendency Measures:

  • Mean: Average value.

  • Median: Middle value (better with skewed data).

  • Mode: Most frequent value.

• Spread/Variability:

  • Standard Deviation: Indicates the average deviation from the mean and helps describe the distribution.

• Statistical Significance:

  • P-value: Probability that results are due to chance.

  • p < 0.05 indicates statistical significance.

• Scales of Measurement:

  • Nominal: Basic categories (e.g., gender).

  • Ordinal: Ranked order (e.g., favorite movies).

  • Interval: Equal distances without absolute zero (e.g., temperature).

  • Ratio: Equal intervals with absolute zero (e.g., count of behaviors).

Measurement Principles

• Key Concepts:

  • Validity and Reliability in measures:

  • Validity: Measures what it’s supposed to measure (e.g., an IQ test accurately reflecting intelligence).

  • Reliability: Consistency of the measure across time or items.

• Assessing Reliability:

  • Test-retest, internal consistency, and interrater reliability.

• Assessing Validity:

  • Face, content, criterion, convergent, and discriminant validity.

Consumers of Research

• Key Concepts:

  • Understanding how to locate and interpret scientific literature effectively (using resources like PsycInfo and APA style).

• APA Style:

  • Sections in an APA paper:

  • Abstract, Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion, References.

Research Ethics

• Ethical Considerations:

  • Participants must be treated autonomously and with respect (Belmont Principles).

  • Obtain informed consent before participation, ensuring clear communication of research procedures and potential risks.

• Approval Committees:

  • Institutional Review Board (IRB) oversight for human research ethics.

  • Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee for animal research considerations.