Psychology research methods

What is a hypothesis?

A hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

Difference between qualitative and quantitative research?

Qualitative focuses on descriptive data; quantitative uses numerical data for statistical analysis.

True or false: Correlational research shows cause and effect.

False, because correlation indicates a relationship but not causation.

What is an independent variable?

The independent variable is manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Fill in the blank: A _____ sample includes participants representing the population.

A representative sample includes participants representing the population.

What is the purpose of a control group?

The control group serves as a baseline to compare the effects of the independent variable.

Which method uses surveys to collect data?

Descriptive research often uses surveys for data collection.

True or false: Experiments can establish causal relationships.

True, because experiments manipulate variables to determine causal effects.

What is random assignment?

Random assignment is the process of randomly allocating participants to different groups.

Define case study.

A case study is an in-depth analysis of a single participant or a small group.

Difference between longitudinal and cross-sectional studies?

Longitudinal studies track the same individuals over time; cross-sectional studies analyze different groups at one time.

What is an operational definition?

An operational definition specifies how variables are measured or manipulated in a study.