PYC3704 -
exam prep.Detailed working, solutions, memo, notes & explanations.PYC3704 – Psychological Research
Topic 1
Inferential Statistics – concerned with inferring numerical properties of statistical populations from
sample data
Theory:
Accounts for facts and suggest how they are r...
Inferential Statistics – concerned with inferring numerical properties of statistical populations from
sample data
Theory:
Accounts for facts and suggest how they are related to each other. A framework of ideas that
provides an explanation of something
The theory – if true – implies what we should observe under certain specific circumstances
Psychological research:
Testing theories of human behaviour / testing of theories against observations
Purpose is to gather and organise data
Build theories and test them empirically, through observation
Theory: A network of postulated relations between constructs / concepts / variables
Constructs:
building blocks of theory
theoretical in nature
deliberately created / proposed to explain certain observations
often refer to a hypothetical aspect of a person / situation
cannot be observed, has to be inferred from behaviour
i.e. anxiety = sweat, empty sensation in stomach, heart palpitations are all symptoms caused
by unseen underlying process
Anxiety = LATENT variable - hidden / intervening
Behaviour instances of sweating / palpitations = MANIFEST variables
Variable aka indicators / referents / observable consequences / implications
Based on the observable behaviour of an abstract construct / concept – we can derive an
anxiety score
To arrive at a score – we must provide a measured operational definition of the construct; a
measurement model for each construct
By identifying observable behavioural instances of a construct – one can measure it
DEPENDENT VARIABLE - Variable that is influenced – the EFFECT
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE – Variable that influences – the CAUSE
OPERATIONAL DEFINITION : Specifying observable instances of a construct
2 KINDS
1. THEORETICAL definition of a construct – where a construct is defined in terms of other
constructs
2. OPERATIONAL definition of psychological constructs – constructs defined in terms of
observable instances (necessary for measurement) - allows us to bridge the gap between
theoretical constructs and observations by spelling out what must be done to measure the
construct
OPERATIONALISING OF CONSTRUCTS – process followed to make abstract concepts
empirically observable – making them measurable – transforming theoretical constructs into
empirical constructs
INDICATOR – an observable measure of a construct
, Intelligence = construct
Vocab and numerical competence = indicators of the construct intelligence
Based on indicators one can specify behaviours associated with the constructs
NOMINAL LEVELS OF MEASUREMENT
Labels – just a name
Can’t measure the difference
Discrete – distinct & separate
Mutually exclusive - choosing one automatically excludes the other
Exhaustive – makes provision for all possible variables
ORDINAL LEVELS
When data needs to be ranked in an order of importance
Least to most / always to never
The degree of difference cannot be measured
INTERVAL
Same characteristics of nominal and ordinal BUT – can measure the difference or intervals
between 2 points
Numbers have a value but no absolute zero point
RATIO
Highest level of measurement
Length / weight / time
The HYPOTHESIS
A statement of relation (or absence thereof) between 2 / more constructs or variables
Y = exam performance – dependent variable
X = Independent variables (cause for performance)
U = unknown causes
There are multiple influences on Y
The hypothesis
- will give a rule that associates values of one construct with those of another construct
- will suggest the population for which the relation holds
Operational forms of the hypothesis
Operational hypothesis: using observations of measurable forms of the construct
A = General hypothesis: “Anxiety influences performance negatively”
B = “test anxiety influences exam performance negatively”
C = Operational hypothesis: “the higher i-pat anxiety scores, the poorer PYC3704 students’
performance”
In C, construct anxiety has been operationally defined as i-pat and performance
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller Excellentstudyresources001. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $2.70. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
