All Flashcards
How can understanding research methods help in everyday life?
Critically evaluate claims and make informed decisions.
Give an example of how correlational research is used in marketing.
Identifying relationships between customer demographics and product preferences.
How are experiments used in education?
Testing the effectiveness of different teaching methods.
How can naturalistic observation be used to study animal behavior?
Observing animals in their natural habitat to understand social structures.
How are case studies used in clinical psychology?
In-depth analysis of patients with rare disorders to understand symptoms.
How is random assignment used in drug trials?
Ensuring treatment and control groups are similar at the start of the trial.
How can surveys be used to study public opinion?
Gathering data on attitudes and beliefs from a large sample.
How is the concept of operational definition applied when studying sleep?
Defining 'sleep' by specific measurable criteria like brain waves.
How is informed consent applied in a study on stress?
Informing participants about potential stressors and their right to withdraw.
How can debriefing be used after a study involving deception?
Explaining the true purpose of the study and addressing any concerns.
How can understanding confounding variables improve research on exercise?
Controlling for factors like diet to isolate the effect of exercise.
Compare experimental and correlational research.
Experimental: cause-effect; Correlational: relationships; manipulation vs. no manipulation.
Compare naturalistic observation and case study.
Naturalistic: real-world; Case study: in-depth, single subject; general vs. specific.
Compare random sampling and random assignment.
Random sampling: selecting participants; Random assignment: assigning to groups; generalizability vs. causality.
Compare internal and external validity.
Internal: cause-effect relationship; External: generalizability; control vs. realism.
Compare single-blind and double-blind studies.
Single-blind: participant unaware; Double-blind: both participant and researcher unaware; participant bias vs. both biases.
Compare cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.
Cross-sectional: data at one point in time; Longitudinal: data over a period; snapshot vs. development.
Compare qualitative and quantitative research.
Qualitative: descriptive; Quantitative: numerical; understanding vs. measuring.
Compare open-ended and closed-ended questions in surveys.
Open-ended: free response; Closed-ended: fixed choices; detail vs. efficiency.
Compare the use of surveys and interviews in data collection.
Surveys: efficient, large samples; Interviews: in-depth, detailed responses; breadth vs. depth.
Compare the strengths and weaknesses of using deception in research.
Strengths: allows study of natural behavior; Weaknesses: ethical concerns, potential harm; validity vs. ethics.
Compare the use of animals and humans in psychological research.
Animals: simpler systems, more control; Humans: complex behaviors, ethical constraints; control vs. relevance.
Define Research Method.
Systematic way to investigate behavior and mental processes.
What is a Hypothesis?
A testable prediction about the relationship between variables.
Define Independent Variable.
The variable that is manipulated by the researcher.
What is a Dependent Variable?
The variable that is measured to see if it's affected.
Define Control Group.
Group that does not receive the experimental treatment.
What is the Experimental Group?
The group that receives the treatment.
Define Random Assignment.
Assigning participants to groups by chance.
What is a Confounding Variable?
A factor other than the IV that might affect the DV.
Define Operational Definition.
Precise description of how variables will be measured.
What is a Case Study?
In-depth investigation of a single individual or group.
Define Naturalistic Observation.
Observing behavior in its natural setting.