Flashcards on Foundations of Psychology: A Comprehensive Overview
Foundations of Psychology: Comprehensive Overview for Students
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research methods
47 cards
Card 1
Question: What is science defined as in the context of psychological research?
Answer: A systematic, critical, controlled, reproducible path to knowledge that combines theory and empiricism.
Card 2
Question: What roles do theory and empiricism play in scientific research?
Answer: Theory provides frameworks and predictions; empiricism provides observation and data to test those theories.
Card 3
Question: What are the two main types of scientific reasoning and how do they differ?
Answer: Inductive reasoning builds generalizations from specific observations; deductive reasoning tests specific predictions derived from general theories.
Card 4
Question: Name key ethical considerations in psychological research.
Answer: Informed consent, debriefing, limits on deception, protecting participants, and institutional review board oversight.
Card 5
Question: What is hypothesis testing in the verification of theories?
Answer: Deriving testable predictions from a theory and using empirical data to support, refute, or refine that theory.
Card 6
Question: What is an operational definition and why is it important?
Answer: A precise specification of how a concept is measured or manipulated; it allows replication and empirical testing.
Card 7
Question: List the four types of measurement variables.
Answer: Nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.
Card 8
Question: What is the difference between validity and reliability?
Answer: Validity refers to whether a measure assesses what it intends to; reliability refers to the consistency of measurements.
Card 9
Question: Name some types of reliability and types of validity mentioned.
Answer: Types of reliability and types of validity (general categories listed for consideration).
Card 10
Question: How can researchers assess and improve reliability?
Answer: By standardizing procedures, using clear operational definitions, piloting measures, and calculating reliability coefficients.