Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Research Methods
Hypothesis - Expresses relationship between two variables
Variables
- Independent - Whatever is being manipulated
- Dependent - Measured
- Confounding - Anything that manipulates, but is not the independent variable.
- Operational - Explain what your hypothesis means
Definitions - Measured in 'real life' terms
Sampling - Identify population subject; must be representative of population you study
Experimental Method - Prove casual relationships; Cause = Effect
- Hawthorne Effect - Control group can change
Correlational Method - Expresses relationship between two variables; does not show causation
Survey Method - Most common study; measures correlation; cheap and fast
- Needs a good random sample; low response rate
Naturalistic Observation - Watch subjects in their natural environment
Correlation Coefficient - A number that measures strength of a relationship; from -1 to +1; Weaker closer to zero.
Case Study - Detailed picture of one or few subjects
- Great story; no correlational data - just descriptive.
Statistics - Recording results from studies
- Need common language for understanding
- Descriptive Statistics - describes sets of data
- Range - Distance from highest to lowest scores
Standard Deviation - Variance of scores around the mean
- Higher variance = More Distribution Spread
Z scores - Unit that measures the distance of one score from the mean
- + = Above the mean
- - = Below the mean
Ethical Guidelines for Research
Animal Research
- Clear purpose
- Treated in a humane way
- Acquire animals legally
- Least amount of suffering possible
Human Research
- No coercion, must be voluntary
- Informed consent
- Anonymity
- No significant risk
- Must debrief
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