Class notes
Research methods
- Course
- Introduce (PSYCH1Z03)
- Institution
- McMaster University (mcmasteru)
Lecture notes of 3 pages for the course Introduce at mcmasteru (Class notes)
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1X03 Research Questions:scientific method (what it is, why its used) :scientists use this approach to reduce error &
bias;
consists of 7 steps:
1.construct theory 2.generate hypothesis 3.choose research method 4.collect data
5.analyze data 6.report findings 7.revise existing theories
theory:general set of ideas about the way the world works
hypothesis :testable statements guided by theories making specific predictions about
the relationship between variables
research method :how a hypothesis is tested
collect data :take measurements of test outcomes
analyze data :analyze & understand data to detect trends & relationships between
variables
report findings :publish articles in scholarly journals (rigorous review process + time
consuming)
revise theories :incorporate new information to our understanding of the world; theories
are always changing
paradon shift :big change in the way we think
anecdotal evidence :insufficient evidence, based on small personal accounts (i.e. single
experience, personal experience)
experiment :scientific tool used to measure the effect of one variable on another
independent variable :variable manipulated by the scientist
dependent variable :variable being observed by the scientist
control group :group not given treatment tested by experiment; something to compare
experimental group to
differences between control group and experimental group... :... should be minimal
within-subjects design :manipulating the independent variable within each participant to
minimize the effect of external variables on the dependent measure (no difference
between control & experimental group); prone to practice effects
practice effects :improved performance over the course of an experiment due to
becoming more experienced
cons of within-subjects design :prone to practice effects, time consuming, costly,
independent variable could change between trials
between subjects design :compares independent variable's effect on two groups (a
control group and an experimental group)
confounding variable :a variable other than the independent variable that has an effect
on results
how & why must participants be carefully selected for experiments? :can't be extremely
specific because you can't make a general statement about the independent variable's
effects; still have to minimize differences between groups as much as possible to
minimize effect of confounding variables
random sampling :reduces bias; choosing a sample at random to accurately represent
population of interest
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