PSY 240 CH 3-5

a testable prediction about the relationship between 2 or more variables

Ways to arrive at a Hypothesis

Improve a study's ___ ___ by using the double-blind technique.

both participants and research assistants are unaware of which treatment is being presented

variables that intensify, weaken, or reverse relationships

Resolve contradictions in a study by looking for ___ ___.

states that there is NO relationship between the variables being tested

Beware of trying to prove the ___ ___.  Just because a relationship has not been found, does not mean that one does not exist.

The ___ for our hypothesis can come from theory. 

a set of principles that explain existing research findings

independent variable - variable that is being manipulated

the dependent variable

By manipulating the ___ variable, we affect the behavior observed in the ___ variable.

If a relationship between variables is too studied, look for a ___ variable

variable that describes what happens neurologically in response to an independent variable

shows the extent to which changes in levels of one variable correspond to changes in another variable

Choosing research articles

The INTRODUCTION is the most important section; because ___

ensures that the manipulation is the only variable that changes between treatment conditions

finds differences when differences DO exist.

More ___ makes a new study superior

The ___ ___ tells us what the researchers DID:

• - basic descriptive STATS
• - results of Manipulation Check
• - how the results RELATE to the Hypothesis

The ___ ___ related the results to the "big" picture

• - Real World
• - Theory
• - Future Research

To test a hypothesis, we need a clear set of ___ regarding how we will measure our variables.

Directions for measuring variables are ___ ___

Because psychology is a ___, we develop ___ observable ways in which to measure ___ variables.

Measuring ___ accurately is a challenge when our hypothesis includes an ___ construct

Behavior that can be measured

We must precisely control behavior during testing (i.e. ___, ___, ___)

2 types of measurement error

errors vary systematically, pushing scores in one direction

unsystematic, not pushing scores in any particular direction

- averages out to zero

To ensure that the testing environment remains constant we must use ___ ___.

when the treatment group changes their behavior - not because of the treatment itself, but because they know they are getting special treatment

participants want to look good, so they present themselves differently, thus creating a ___ ___ bias

Along with validity, our measures must have ___.

A reliable measure produces ___ ___ scores, unaffected by ___ error

To measure reliability, we calculate a measure's test-retest ___ ___.

We can correct for observer error by adding ___ and comparing their ___.

correcting for observer error by adding observers and comparing their ratings

We can add to our measure's ___ ___ by rewording or eliminating unclear questions.

characteristics of the study that suggest to the participant how the researcher wants the participant to behave