research methods

• scientific method: self- correcting process for evaluating ideas with observation and analysis
• theory: explains behaviors or events by offering ideas that organize what was observed; repeatedly confirmed; can predict new observations
• hypothesis: a testable prediction; often implied by a theory
• operational definitions: a carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study
• replicate: repeating the essence of a study with different participants and situations
• descriptive methods: describe behaviors; use case studies, surveys, or naturalistic observations
• correlational methods: associate different factors or variables (contribute to a result)
• experimental methods: manipulate variables to discover their effects (show causes and effect)
• psychologists describe things through case studies, naturalistic observation, and surveys
• case study: a descriptive technique in which one individual or group in depth with hope or revealing universal principles
• drawback of a case study: can't always generalize the data
• naturalistic observation: observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation
• drawback of naturalistic observation: does not explain behavior, it only describes it
• Hawthorne effect: people respond differently when they are being watched
• survey: the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group; effective and inexpensive
• drawback of surveys: asking questions can be tricky, answers often depend on the way you ask it
• courtesy bias: participants try to please or look good to the researcher
• sampling bias: a flawed sampling process and produces an unrepresentative sample
• population: all those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn
• sample: can take a group of people to represent the population of all the people
• random sample: a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion
• representative/ stratified sample: closely parallels the population and relevant characteristics
• random selection: every member has an equal chance of being selected for a study sample
• confirmation bias: only finding evidence that supports your bias
• scientist need to be: curious, skeptical, and humble
• goals of psychology: describe, explain, predict, and control
• law: a statement of what always occurs under certain conditions
• r = correlation coefficient
• correlation: a measure of the extent to which two variables change together
• correlation coefficient: statistical index of the relationship between two variables (-1 to 1)
• scatter plot: a graphed cluster of dots which represents the value of two variables
• correlation does not equal causation
• a perceived but nonexistent correlation is called an illusory correlation
• null hypothesis: the statement that the independent variable will have NO EFFECT on the dependent variable
• randomization: accounts for individual differences