research methods-variables

• What is the focus of the introduction to research methods in psychology?

  Basics of research methods in psychology
• Why is it important to understand research methods in psychology?

  They are crucial for scientific understanding
• What is the definition of psychology mentioned in the text?

  The scientific study of mind and behavior
• What distinguishes scientific knowledge from mere opinion in psychology?

  Evidence supports scientific knowledge
• What is the experimental method in research?

  A specific type of research method
• What is a lab experiment characterized by?

  Good control over the environment
• How does a lab experiment in psychology relate to chemistry experiments?

  Both require controlled conditions
• What is the dependent variable in the daisy experiment?

  The height of the daisies
• What is the independent variable in the daisy experiment?

  The type of soil used
• What does operationalization mean in research?

  Defining your variables clearly
• How might alertness be operationalized in a study?

  Using reaction time measurements
• What are confounding variables?

  Variables that affect the dependent variable
• Why is it important to control confounding variables?

  To ensure accurate measurement of the DV
• What is experimental control?

  Managing variables to reduce confounding
• How does good experimental control benefit research?

  It allows for clear cause-and-effect conclusions
• What is the relationship between independent and dependent variables?

  The IV affects the DV
• What is the significance of replication in experiments?

  It confirms the reliability of results
• What are the key components of the experimental method?

  • Independent Variable (IV)
  • Dependent Variable (DV)
  • Operationalization of variables
  • Control of confounding variables
  • Experimental control
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of lab experiments?

  Strengths:

  • High control over variables
  • Clear cause-and-effect relationships
  • Replicability of results

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Artificial environment
  • Limited ecological validity
  • Potential for participant bias
• How can researchers ensure good experimental control?

  • Keep conditions consistent
  • Control extraneous variables
  • Randomize participant assignment
• What is the purpose of controlling food intake in the psychology experiment?

  To ensure consistent conditions for testing
• What does good experimental control allow in a lab experiment?

  It allows for cause-and-effect relationships
• What does IV stand for in an experiment?

  Independent Variable
• What is the relationship between the IV and DV?

  The IV causes an effect on the DV
• What is replication in scientific research?

  Repeating experiments to verify results
• Why is objectivity important in the experimental method?

  It ensures results are factual and observable
• What is the difference between objective and subjective data?

  Objective data is factual; subjective is opinion
• What is mundane realism in psychology experiments?

  How realistic the experimental environment is
• What is a potential issue with lab experiments regarding realism?

  They may create artificial environments
• What are demand characteristics in psychological research?

  When participants alter behavior due to awareness
• What is the aim of a psychology experiment?

  To identify what is being investigated
• How does a hypothesis differ from an aim?

  A hypothesis is a specific prediction
• What is a null hypothesis?

  It states no effect will occur
• What is a non-directional hypothesis?

  It predicts a difference without direction
• What is a directional hypothesis?

  It predicts a specific direction of results
• What influences the choice between directional and non-directional hypotheses?

  Past research findings in the area
• Why is it difficult to prove hypotheses in psychology?

  Certainty is hard to achieve in research
• What is the goal of rejecting a null hypothesis?

  To support the experimental hypothesis
• What is the significance of learning research methods in psychology?

  It helps in understanding psychological language
• What are the key terms related to hypotheses in psychology research?

  • Aim: General purpose of the study
  • Hypothesis: Specific prediction of outcomes
  • Null Hypothesis: No effect will occur
  • Non-Directional Hypothesis: Predicts a difference without direction
  • Directional Hypothesis: Predicts a specific direction of results