Bernstein et al., Psychology, 6/e Learning Objectives

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Psychology, Sixth Edition
Douglas A. Bernstein - University of South Florida and University of Southampton
Louis A. Penner - University of South Florida
Alison Clarke-Stewart - University of California, Irvine
Edward J. Roy - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Learning Objectives
Chapter 2: Research in Psychology

Define critical thinking. Be able to think critically about a hypothesis by using the five-step process presented in the text. (see Thinking Critically about Psychology (Or Anything Else))
Define hypothesis, operational definition, and variable. (see Critical Thinking and Scientific Research)
Describe the evolution of a theory. (see The Role of Theories)
Name the four scientific goals of psychology. (see Research Methods in Psychology)
Define sampling, random sample, and biased sample. Discuss the importance of sampling in data collection. (see Selecting Human Participants for Research)
Describe the three basic research methods used to describe and predict a phenomenon and give examples of each. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of each method. (see Research Methods in Psychology)
Define an experiment and give an example of it. (see Experiments: Exploring Cause and Effect)
Explain why an experiment allows investigation of causation. (see Establishing Cause and Effect)
Define and explain the role of independent and dependent variables and of experimental and control groups in an experiment. Define confounding variables. (see The Experimental Method)
Discuss the problems presented by confounding variables in the interpretation of experimental results. Define random variables, random assignment, and placebo. (see Random Variables; see also Participants' Expectations)
Describe the relationship between a double-blind design and experimenter bias. (see Experimenter Bias)
Summarize the use of descriptive and inferential statistics in evaluating research results. (see Statistical Analysis of Research Results)
Discuss the role of measures of central tendency in summarizing and describing research results. (see Measures of Central Tendency)
Discuss the role of measures of variability in summarizing and describing research results. (see Measures of Variability)
Define correlation. Describe how the absolute value and sign of a correlation coefficient are interpreted. (see Correlation and Correlation Coefficients)
Explain why correlations do not imply causation. Describe the role of alternative hypotheses in the interpretation of a correlation. (see Correlation and Correlation Coefficients)
Define statistically significant. Describe the role of statistical significance in thinking critically about scientific research. (see Inferential Statistics)
Describe the ethical guidelines that psychologists must follow. (see Ethical Guidelines for Psychologists)
Define behavioral genetics. (see Linkages: Psychological Research and Behavioral Genetics)
Explain how family, twin, and adoption studies help to establish the relative roles of genetic and environmental variables. (see Linkages: Psychological Research and Behavioral Genetics)





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