SPY321 RESEARCH METHODS AND STATISTICS IN PSYCHOLOGY

Review Questions: Chapter 1

1. Describe two important features of the scientific method.

2. Provide an example of (1) how social and cultural factors can influence  psychologists’ choice of research topics and (2) how psychologists Sociocultural factors may influence the acceptance of the results of the  research by society.

3. Describe how ethnocentric bias can be a problem in research, and  Suggest one way researchers can prevent this bias.

4. Describe two ethical dilemmas that psychologists may face when conducting  Research.

5. What are the three initial steps researchers take when starting a research project?

6. Identify two reasons why it’s important to look in the research literature  psychological feedback at the beginning of the investigation.

Review Questions: Chapter 2

What is the difference between an independent variable and a dependent variable? Provide an example of each that could be used in an experiment.

What is the main advantage of using operational definitions in psychology? What two criticisms have been made of the use of operational definitions?

What is the difference between the validity and reliability of an instrument?

Identify the four goals of the scientific method and briefly describe what each is intended to achieve.

1. What is the difference between the nomothetic approach and the idiographic approach?
2. Identify the three conditions required for a causal inference.
3. What is an intervening variable? Propose an example: a factor that serves as an intervening variable between “insulting” and “aggressive responses” in children. Explain how these variables can be related by proposing a hypothesis that includes the influence of the intervening variable.
4. Note: Include citation and reference .