Research Methods Study Guide
Exam 1
This is the study guide for your first research methods exam. The
exam will be based entirely on the lectures. Nothing will be on the
exam that we didn't cover in the lectures. The format of the exam
will be twelve definitions and three essay questions of which you will
pick two. Each definition will be worth 5 points. Each essay
question will be worth 20 points. Below I list the terms and topics
you should be familiar with for the exam.
Attitudes of Science
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Epistemology
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Knowledge
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Science
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Tenacity
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Authority
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A Priori
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Empiricism
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Belief Perseverance
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Need for Cognitive Closure
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Contingent Facts
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Necessary Facts
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Anecdotal Evidence
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Availability Heuristic
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Confirmation Bias
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Determinism
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Objectivity
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Systematically Empirical
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Openness to Disconfirmation
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Comparison
Hypothetico-Deductive Model of Science
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Argument
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Premise
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Claim
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Deductive
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Inductive
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Modus Ponens
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Modus Tolens
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Affirming the Consequent
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Denying the Antecedant
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Theory
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Hypothesis
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Parsimony
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Predictor Variables
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Independent variable
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Individual differences variable
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Dependent Variable
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Nuisance Variable
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Confounding Variable
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Non-Confounding Nuisance Variable
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Internal Validity
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Extrenal Validity
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Constrcut Validity
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Construct
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Operational Definition
Statistics
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Descriptive Statistics
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Inferential Statistics
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Population
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Sample
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Parameter
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Statistic
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Central Tendency
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Mean
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Median
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Mode
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Variability
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Range
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Variance
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Standard Deviation
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Mean Squared Error
Field Studies
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Naturalistic Observation
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Participant Observation
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Undisguised Participant Observation
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Disguised Participant Observation
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Field Experiments
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Reactance
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Hawthorne Effect
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Demand Characteristics
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Evaluation Apprehension
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Bad Subject Effect (Screw You Effect)
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Unobtrusive Measures
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Habitiuation
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Desensitization
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Observer Biases
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Expectancy Effects
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Double-Blind Studies
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Inter-rater Reliability
Archival and Physical Trace Research
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Unobtrusive Measurement
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Naturalistic Measurement
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Physical Traces
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Archival Research
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Natural Use Trace
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Controlled Use Trace
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Accretion
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Erosion
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Product Trace
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Selective Deposit
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Selective Survival
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Running Records
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Media Records
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Data Reduction Problem
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Quantitative Content Analysis
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Qualitative Content Analysis
Research Ethics
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Tuskegee Syphillis Experiments
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Nuremburg Code
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Belmont Report
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American Psychological Association Code of Ethics
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Benificence
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Informed consent
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Debriefing
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Risk and Benefit Ratio
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Risk
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Minimal Risk
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IRB
Some Possible Essay Questions
Describe the "Habits of Thought" that were identified by Charles Sanders
Peirce and give an example of each one. How does the scientific approach
different from these approaches?
Describe the hypothetico deductive model of science. Be sure to
include how it is related to the principles of deductive and inductive
reasoning.
What are the main elements that are included when describing a statistical
test in a journal article and what information is conveyed by each of those
elements (include an example of each element)?
Describe the major sections of a research paper are and the purposes
served by each section.
Describe the four reasons why psychologists sometimes conduct research
in naturalistic settings rather than in the laboratory, and give an example
of each of the four reasons in action.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of archival and physical trace
research.
Describe some of the eggregious ethical violations that have occurred
in biomedical and psychological research and how formal professional ethical
codes are meant to prevent those violations.