What is the difference between descriptive and experimental research methods? Which method can allow you to make causal inferences?

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PSYC 1000

Spring 2018

Interteach Prep Guide #2

  1. Discuss the importance of having replicable results when conducting research.

  2. What is the difference between descriptive and experimental research methods? Which method can allow you to make causal inferences?

  3. What is a case history (case study)? What are some advantages/disadvantages of using case studies?

  4. Does correlation between variables the same as a causal relationship between variables? Why or why not?

  5. Define mean, median, and mode, and when to use these descriptive statistics.

  6. What is the difference between descriptive and inferential statistics?

  7. A psychologist is interested in seeing if people who are alcoholic are more likely to be depressed. How would you operationally define your variables (i.e., alcoholic, depressed)? How would you design a study to answer this question? What are your independent and dependent variables? What type of study would you use (e.g., experimental, correlational, case study, survey), and why?