Liberty University PSYC 255
Behavioral research
Chapter 4 and 5 study notes
<Cozby and Bates, Methods of behavioral research=
Chapter 4 <Fundamental Research Issues=
Study Terms:
1) Confounding variable p. 84 - an uncontrolled third variable in operation
- The experimental method provides us with a way of controlling the effects of third
variables.
2) Non-experimental method research p.81 – relationships are studied by making
observations or measurements of the variables of interest.
- This is done by asking people to describe their behavior, directly overserving
behavior, or examining public records.
- <Observed as they occurred naturally=.
A) The non- experimental method is not ideal when asking questions
concerning cause and effect.
B) It is difficult to determine which variable causes the other (direction
problem)
C) Third variable problem – there may be a relationship between two
variables because some other variable causes both.
3) Correlated method – is the examination to whether the variables correlate or very
together.
, C) There is a need to eliminate plausible alternative explanations for the observed
relationship.
- Inferences about causal relationships are stronger when there are fewer
alternative explanations for the observed relationship.
12) Operational definition - is a set of procedures used to measure or manipulate a variable.
- A variable must have an operational definition to be studied empirically
13) Construct validity – refers to the adequacy of the operational definition variables.
14) Four Most Common Relationships Found In Research
1. Positive linear relationship – increases the values of one variable are
accomplished by increasing the values of the second variable.
Example
- Communication credibility
2. Negative linear relationship – increases in the values of one of the variables are
accompanied by decrease in the values of the other variable.
3. Curvilinear relationship - increases in the value of one variable are accompanied
by systematic increases and decreases in the values of the other variable.
- To many extroverts.
4. No relationship – no relationship between variables.
15) Field experiment - The independent variable to be manipulated in a natural setting.
16) Description of Behavior – a major goal of science is to provide an accurate description
of events goal is to describe behavior rather to understand its causes.
__________________________________________________
Chapter 5
Measurement Of Concepts
Behavioral research
Chapter 4 and 5 study notes
<Cozby and Bates, Methods of behavioral research=
Chapter 4 <Fundamental Research Issues=
Study Terms:
1) Confounding variable p. 84 - an uncontrolled third variable in operation
- The experimental method provides us with a way of controlling the effects of third
variables.
2) Non-experimental method research p.81 – relationships are studied by making
observations or measurements of the variables of interest.
- This is done by asking people to describe their behavior, directly overserving
behavior, or examining public records.
- <Observed as they occurred naturally=.
A) The non- experimental method is not ideal when asking questions
concerning cause and effect.
B) It is difficult to determine which variable causes the other (direction
problem)
C) Third variable problem – there may be a relationship between two
variables because some other variable causes both.
3) Correlated method – is the examination to whether the variables correlate or very
together.
, C) There is a need to eliminate plausible alternative explanations for the observed
relationship.
- Inferences about causal relationships are stronger when there are fewer
alternative explanations for the observed relationship.
12) Operational definition - is a set of procedures used to measure or manipulate a variable.
- A variable must have an operational definition to be studied empirically
13) Construct validity – refers to the adequacy of the operational definition variables.
14) Four Most Common Relationships Found In Research
1. Positive linear relationship – increases the values of one variable are
accomplished by increasing the values of the second variable.
Example
- Communication credibility
2. Negative linear relationship – increases in the values of one of the variables are
accompanied by decrease in the values of the other variable.
3. Curvilinear relationship - increases in the value of one variable are accompanied
by systematic increases and decreases in the values of the other variable.
- To many extroverts.
4. No relationship – no relationship between variables.
15) Field experiment - The independent variable to be manipulated in a natural setting.
16) Description of Behavior – a major goal of science is to provide an accurate description
of events goal is to describe behavior rather to understand its causes.
__________________________________________________
Chapter 5
Measurement Of Concepts
