PSYCH 610 Research methods in Psychology Assignment- University of Phoenix
PART 1-
Consider the following scenario: 60 children, ages 3-5, are selected to participate in a program for developing non-verbal communication skills. The children were selected on the basis of extremely low scores on a test of non-verbal communication. After participating in the program, the children are re-tested. An average improvement of 59% is observed in the quality of non-verbal communications. What threat to internal validity is present in this situation? How can this confound be eliminated?
PART 2- Exercise
Answer the following questions covering material from Ch. 1-5 of Methods in Behavioral Research:
1. A researcher is interested in studying the effects of different levels of distraction-none, low, and high-on scores on a test of visual memory. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three conditions: no distraction, low distraction, or high distraction. All participants engage in a test of visual memory. What is the independent variable? What is the dependent variable? What is the purpose of random assignment to groups? What is the purpose of random assignment to groups?
2. Define theory and explain its function. How does theory relate to the practice of psychology?
3. Define hypothesis and provide an example.
4. Describe the content that should appear in a well-written informed consent form for a research study. Why is it important to obtain informed consent? What are the three principles outlined by the Belmont Report? What additional concerns do you have (if any) when obtaining consent from a minor?
5. What is the function of an institutional review board?
6. What is an operational definition of a variable? How might the variable sense of humor be defined operationally? (2 points)
7. Complete Table 4.1 on p. 72 of the text. For each of the eight examples listed, determine whether a positive, negative, or curvilinear relationship exists.
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Positive
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Negative
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Curvilinear
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Example 1
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Example 2
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Example 3
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Example 4
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Example 5
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Example 6
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Example 7
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Example 8
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8. Define reliability as it relates to measurement of behavior.
9. Define and describe scales of measurement.
10. What is the difference between construct validity, internal validity, and external validity?
11. What is the difference between correlation and causation? How are third variables controlled for?
PART 3- Analysis of Ethical Dilemma
Read the following scenario:
• A well-known researcher at a major university has two graduate student assistants. He conducts three studies in his laboratory, all of which involve very labor-intensive procedures. The graduate research assistants complete all of the data collection. They also assist in writing the Discussion section of the final article, adding their thoughts and suggestions to the various drafts. The article is accepted into a leading journal for publication. The primary researcher lists only himself as author of the article, claiming that he wrote at least 75% of the paper.
Write a 350- to 700-word discussion of the following:
• Describe the ethical consideration(s) involved with the scenario.
• Has the primary researcher committed an ethical violation?
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.