UNIT 3 & 4 PSYCHOLOGY
SUMMER HOLIDAY HOMEWORK
RESEARCH METHODS:
Research methods is covered throughout Unit 3 & 4 and a strong knowledge of specific concepts is required for each area of study and will be part of both exams. Please retain notes from Unit 1 & 2 as these will be useful.
There will be a test in the first week on research methods.
TASKS:
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1. Read Chapter 1 in Grivas, Down & Carter (4th edition).
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2. Complete the following questions (in full sentences) in order to create a summary for your notes for the year. Try to use appropriate headings.
(due week 1) There will be a test early in Term 1 on this topic.
Research Method Questions – refer to Chap 1
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1. Why is psychology a scientific study?
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2. What is the difference between the terms mental processes and behaviour in psychology? Give examples of each.
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3. How do psychologists define research methods? Describe some specific methods used (see later in chapter) and what is the method that is the most scientifically rigorous?
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4. Define the following: variable, independent variable, dependent variable, confounding variable, extraneous variable
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5. Explain the difference between experimental groups and control groups in terms of variables.
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6. Why is a research hypothesis called an operational hypothesis?
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7. List all the characteristics of an operational hypothesis that is used for experimental research.
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8. Explain what is meant by ‘operational definitions’ and give two examples.
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9. Define and provide an example for the following extraneous and potential confounding variables:
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a. Individual participant variables
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b. Demand characteristics
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c. Placebo effect
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d. Experimenter effects (self-fulfilling prophecy & experimenter bias)
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e. Order effects (practice effects & carry-over effects)
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f. Artificiality
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g. Use of non-standardised instructions and procedures
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10. Define each of the following terms: participants, sampling, sample, population.
11. Why is it important that a sample and the population from which it is drawn share common characteristics?
Ways of minimising extraneous and confounding variables
12. Participant selection: summarise the 4 different types of sampling. Highlight the which sampling procedure would be the most representative.
13. Allocation of participants: Define the following terms: allocation, control group, experimental group. What is random allocation and why is it used in an experiment? (what potential confounding variable is controlled?)
14. Minimising Order Effects: What is counterbalancing? Outline the procedures for the two different types that can be used.
15. Controlling experimenter effects & placebo effects: What are single-blind procedures and placebos?
16. Standardised instructions & procedures: Describe what they are with reference to relevant examples.
17. There are 3 different types of experimental designs that can be used to minimise effects of extraneous variables. Draw up the following table (2/3 page).
Experimental Design: | Description: | Advantage of design: | Limitation of design: | Example: |
Repeated measures | ||||
Matched participants | ||||
Independent groups |
18. Complete the following table (refer to p. 37-45) on the two different types of statistics that are used to analyse the data collected in research studies. (1/2 page)
Descriptive statistics | Inferential statistics | |
Purpose: | ||
Examples: |
19. What is meant by the term ‘statistical significance’? When is a difference said to be ‘statistically significant’? What is meant by the p-value and what does the p stand for?
20. What is meant by the term ‘conclusion’? What are the important considerations in drawing conclusions from results of a study?
21. What is meant by the term ‘generalisation’? What are the important considerations in drawing generalisations from results of a study?
RELIABILITY & VALIDITY IN RESEARCH:
22. Reliability: Explain what this term means and how it relates to replication. What is internal consistency?
23. Validity: explain what this term means and how research data may not be valid. Differentiate between the two different types of validity.
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES:
24. What does the term ‘ethics’ refer to?
25. Create a page that summarises the APS Code of Ethics: Roles and responsibilities of the Researcher; Participant Rights (Confidentiality, voluntary participation, withdrawal rights, informed consent procedures, debriefing, use of deception); Role of ethics committees; Use of animals in research)
I’m wondering if the above graphic of the person sitting on the question mark is copyrighted? I’d like to use it for a project I am working on.
http://psychologyrats.edublogs.org/files/2010/11/questioning-person-u6j2mu.jpg
Please let me know! Thanks so much.