Research methods: inferential statistics

• What is the definition of ecological validity in research?


  It refers to whether the task and/or setting are representative of real life.
• What type of data is quantitative data?

  Numerical data that can be turned into numerical and statistical form.
• What type of data is qualitative data?


  Data that is detailed and in-depth in the form of description.
• What is a longitudinal study?


  A study that tracks the same people or group over time to observe the development of behavior.
• What is a snapshot study?


  A study conducted at one point in time that collects one set of data and does not track development in behavior.
• What is a sample in research?


  The participants who are used in research to represent the target population.
• What is the usefulness of research?

  Research enhances our knowledge and understanding and can be applied to real-world situations.
• What is reductionism in psychology?

  Reductionism breaks down behavior into its constituent parts and uses single factors to account for a given behavior.
• What is holism in psychology?

  Holism sees human behavior as too complex to be reduced to a single explanation and considers multiple factors contributing to behavior.
• What does the nature perspective in psychology emphasize?

  It sees biological factors as the explanation for thinking and behavior, such as genetics and brain chemistry.
• What does the nurture perspective in psychology emphasize?

  Nurture sees behavior as learned or acquired through experiences in the environment.
• What is interactionism in psychology?

  Interactionism accepts that both nature and nurture factors are interconnected and that human behavior is a product of both.
• What does the individual perspective in psychology focus on?


  It sees the person as the cause of behavior, specifically their personality or disposition.
• What does the situational perspective in psychology emphasize?

  It believes the situation around individuals, such as group members, impacts behavior.
• What is determinism in psychology?


  Determinism suggests we lack control of our behavior and that it is pre-determined by factors such as our genes and past experiences.
• What does the term "freewill" imply in the context of human behavior?


  It implies that individuals are responsible for the outcomes of their actions.
• What is primary data?

  Data that a researcher has gathered themselves in their own study.
• What is secondary data?


  Data that a researcher has obtained from elsewhere to inform their research.
• How can discrete data be categorized?

  Discrete data can be placed into separate categories.
• What is continuous data?


  Data that cannot be placed into distinct categories but can be presented on a number line.
• What are the measures of central tendency?

  • Mean: The average of all numbers in a data set.
  • Median: The middle value when data is ordered from smallest to largest.
  • Mode: The value that occurs most frequently in a data set.
• How is the mean calculated?

  The mean is calculated by adding all the numbers in the data set together and dividing by the total amount of results.
• What does the median represent in a data set?

  The median is the middle value when the raw data is placed in order from smallest to biggest.
• What is the mode in a data set?


  The mode is the value or event that occurs most frequently.
• What is a research question?


  A research question is what you wish to answer or explore in your research.
• What does a research aim outline?


  A research aim outlines what the research is going to investigate.
• What is a hypothesis?


  A hypothesis is a testable statement that predicts what the researcher expects the study will find.
• What is an alternate experimental hypothesis?

  An alternate experimental hypothesis predicts a specific outcome of the investigation.
• What is an alternate correlational hypothesis?


  An alternate correlational hypothesis predicts a relationship or correlation between two variables.
• What is a one-tailed hypothesis?

  A one-tailed hypothesis predicts a specific direction of results.
• What is a two-tailed hypothesis?


  A two-tailed hypothesis predicts a difference but is non-directional.
• What is a null hypothesis?


  A null hypothesis is a statement of prediction which suggests there will be no difference or relationship found.
• What is informed consent in research?


  It is the process of providing participants with necessary information to understand the study.
• What is an independent variable?


  An independent variable is the variable being manipulated or changed by the researcher.
• What is a dependent variable?


  A dependent variable is the behavior that is being measured.
• Why is the right to withdraw important in research?

  It ensures participants can leave the study at any time without penalty.
• What does operationalizing mean in research?

  Operationalizing means being specific about how variables are manipulated.
• What is a target population?


  A target population is the group of people the psychologists want to study.
• What is opportunity sampling?

  Opportunity sampling is making use of the people who are readily available to you.
• What should participants be informed about before a study?

  Participants should be informed about the nature, purpose, and anticipated consequences of the study.