Section 1 - The Scientific Method
MAIN IDEA QUESTIONS
What is the scientific method?
What role do theories and hypotheses play in psychological research?
VOCABULARY
scientific method - The approach through which psychologists systematically acquire knowledge and understanding about behavior and other phenomena of interest
theories - Broad explanations and predictions concerning phenomena of interest
hypothesis - A prediction, stemming from a theory, stated in a way that allows it to be tested
operational definition - The translation of a hypothesis into specific, testable procedures that can be measured and observed
THEORIES: SPECIFYING BROAD EXPLANATIONS
HYPOTHESIS: CRAFTING TESTABLE PREDICTIONS
Section 2 - Conducting Psychological Research
MAIN IDEA QUESTIONS
What research methods do psychologists use?
How do psychologists establish cause-and-effect relationships in research studies?
VOCABULARY
archival research - Research in which existing data, such as census documents, college records, and newspaper clippings, are examined to test a hypothesis
naturalistic observation - Research in which an investigator simply observes some naturally occurring behavior and does not make a change in the situation
survey research - Research in which people chosen to represent a larger population are asked a series of questions about their behavior, thoughts, or attitudes
case study - An in-depth, intensive investigation of an individual or small group of people
variables - Behaviors, events, or other characteristics that can change, or vary, in some way
correlational research - Research in which the relationship between two sets of variables is examined to determine whether they are associated, or "correlated"
experiment - The investigation of the relationship between two (or more) variables by deliberately producing a change in one variable in a situation and observing the effects of that change on other aspects of the situation
experimental manipulation - The change that an experimenter deliberately produces in a situation
treatment - The manipulation implemented by the experimenter
experimental group - Any group participating in an experiment that receives no treatment
control group - A group participating in an experiment that receives no treatment
independent variable - The variable that is manipulated by an experimenter
dependent variable - The variable that is measured and is expected to change as a result of changes caused by the experimenter's manipulation of the independent variable
random assignment to condition - A procedure in which participants are assigned to different experimental groups or "conditions" on the basis of chance and chance alone
significant outcome - Meaningful results that make it possible for researchers to feel confident that they have confirmed their hypotheses
ARCHIVAL RESEARCH
NATURALISTIC OBSERVATION
SURVEY RESEARCH
THE CASE STUDY
CORRELATIONAL RESEARCH
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Experimental Groups And Control Groups
Independent And Dependent Variables
Random Assignment Of Participants
Were Latane And Darley Right?
Moving Beyond The Study
Section 3 - Critical Research Issues
MAIN IDEA QUESTION
What issues confront psychologists conducting research?
VOCABULARY
informed consent - A document signed by participants affirming that they have been told the basic outlines of the study and are aware of what their participation will involve
experimental bias - Factors that distort how the independent variable affects the dependent variable in an experiment
placebo - A false treatment, such as a pill, "drug," or other substance, without any significant chemical properties or active ingredient
THE ETHICS OF RESEARCH
SHOULD ANIMALS BE USED IN RESEARCH?
THREATS TO EXPERIMENTAL VALIDITY: AVOIDING EXPERIMENTAL BIAS