Research Methods
for the digitally inclined
by
Stephen R. Schmidt

Learning Objectives for Test 2

I. Key terms (From Chapters 8, 12, 13, 14)

II. One question from each of the following groups will appear on the test. (Relevant readings are listed in parentheses. Also look at the on line notes.)

1. Research Reporting: The APA style paper. (Ch 15)

What is the five-part format of the scientific article?
What is the objective of the abstract? What essential information must be provided in this section? Describe the abstract with respect to its length and the amount of detail that is required.
What is the purpose of the introduction? How is it organized? What five tasks does the introduction perform?
What is the goal of the method section? Describe the three subsections. Is it appropriate to include the operational definition of your independent and dependent variables in this section?

2. Quasi-Experimental & Correlational Studies ( Ch 12)

We discussed three methods used to increase our ability to make causal inferences from correlational research: cross-lagged-panel correlations, partial correlations, and multiple correlations. Describe each of these methods, and discuss how they increase our information regarding causation in correlational studies.
How do quasi-experimental designs differ from true experimental designs and under what conditions would you use a quasi-experimental design? (From Ray Campanion Site)
Describe three problems that are associated with retrospective research.
Describe two potential problems with respect to naturalistic observation.
Can a correlation be useful for testing causal hypotheses? Explain.

3. Small N Designs (Ch 13)

Design a small n experiment to determine which of two different exercise programs (yoga versus stationary bicycling) is more effective as a means of losing weight. Imagine you have only one research participant to compare the two systems. Choose a design that rules out as many threats to validity as you can. Describe the design, provide some hypothetical results, and discuss the strengths and weakness of the design with respect to internal and external validity.
Imagine that you have three children, all of which you think could be doing better in school. You decide to run an experiment to compare reward/punishment systems (for example, monetary rewards for good grades versus punishment for poor performance) on school grades. Design the experiment, and choose a design that rules out as many threats to validity as you can. Describe the design, provide some hypothetical results, and discuss the strengths and weakness of the design with respect to internal and external validity.
In the one-shot case study design, what does the "one-shot" refer to? What conclusions can you draw from this design?
What are the advantages of the case study design? In your judgment where in psychology would it be especially useful?
Describe the differences in the goals of researchers employing a single subject versus an experimental design.

4. Survey Research (Ch 14)

For this question I will give you a survey that has a number of problems. Your job will be to fix the survey.
Describe convenience sampling and its relationship to the question of generalizability. (From Ray Campanion Site)
What are the five main methods of administering a survey? Describe their advantages and disadvantages.
Define the two main types of sampling. Give a specific example of each.
Compare and contrast the characteristics of open-ended, and fixed alternative questions. Identify the advantages and limitations of each.

5. Experimental Control (Ch 8)

Imagine you are conducting a between groups experiment, and wish to equate the groups on gender, age, and GPA. There are a number of different ways to equate the groups on these attributes. Choose a different method for each of these variables, describe your equating method, and defend your choice of method for each attribute.
What is the objective of random selection? How is it performed?
Design an experiment to compare the effects of two reading programs (A versus B) on learning to read in the first grade. Decide whether it is better to use a within- or a between-subjects design and describe why you think this is the appropriate choice of experimental design. Describe your selection of research participants, and the assignment of participants to conditions.
In the pretest-posttest control group design, which threats to internal validity are controlled and which are not?
Distinguish between equating, counterbalancing, and randomization as methods of participant assignment. (From Ray Campanion Site)

Last Modified 9/02/2008