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PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

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Chapter 2Chapter 2

Conducting Research (general info)

Psychology is an experimental science Assumptions must be supported by evidence Procedures consists of five steps:

1) Forming a research question2) Forming a hypothesis3) Testing the hypothesis 4) Analyzing the results5) Drawing conclusions

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

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Replication Findings may represent a random occurrence For a study to be confirmed it must be

replicated (repeated) to show the same results If the results are repeated and obtain different

results, the findings of the first study are questioned

It is important to study both males and females if the goal is to make generalizations about all members of the species.

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

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New Questions Whether the findings of the research study

support or contradict the hypothesis, they are likely to lead to new research questions.

Once new questions are asked, the process begins all over again.

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

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Question: Why are proper sampling techniques important?

Surveys are taken to find out about people’s attitudes and behaviors directly.Two survey methods—written questionnaires and interviewingThe findings of interviews and questionnaires are not completely accurate.

People may not answer honestly about their attitudes or behavior

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

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Chapter 2Chapter 2

Populations and Samples

Must decide what group or groups of people they wish to examine and how they will be selected.

Target population—is the whole group you want to study or describe.

Researchers study a sample of the target population

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

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Selecting Samples

Samples must be selected scientifically to ensure that the samples accurately represent the populations they are supposed to represent.

Random Sample—individuals are selected by chance from the target population

Stratified sample—subgroups in the population are represented proportionally in the sample.

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

A random sample of 1,000 to 1,500 people will usually represent the general American population reasonably well.

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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

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Chapter 2Chapter 2

Generalizing Results Researchers do not use a sample that represents an

entire population Researchers want to know about only one group

within the population Researchers are cautious about generalizing their

findings to groups other than those from which their samples were drawn

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PPSYCHOLOGYSYCHOLOGY PRINCIPLES IN PRACTICE

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Chapter 2Chapter 2

Volunteer Bias Researchers have little control over who responds to

surveys or participates in research studies. They cannot force people to complete the

questionnaires. Bias—a predisposition to a certain point of view. People who volunteer to participate in studies often

bring with them a volunteer bias.