Chapter 02 - Psychological Research

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