Reviewer for Research Methods in the Psychology/Psychometrician Licensure Examination.
1
Research Designs
| Design | Feature |
|---|---|
| Experimental | Manipulates IV, shows cause |
| Correlational | Relationship, not cause |
| Descriptive | Observes/describes |
| Qualitative | Meaning, themes |
⚠️ Common Mistake
Correlation does NOT imply causation — only true experiments with control can establish cause.
2
Variables & Validity
The independent variable is manipulated; the dependent variable is measured. Control extraneous variables to protect internal validity.
💡 Exam Hack
Random assignment reduces bias and strengthens causal claims.
3
Statistics & Ethics
Know descriptive (mean, SD) vs inferential (t-test, ANOVA) statistics. Follow ethics: informed consent, confidentiality, and no harm.
4
Stats at a Glance
| Type | Examples | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Descriptive | mean, median, SD | Summarize data |
| Inferential | t-test, ANOVA, correlation | Test hypotheses |
📌 Quick Recap — Master These
Before your exam, make sure you can confidently explain and apply each of the following:
- Research Designs
- Variables & Validity
- Statistics & Ethics
- Stats at a Glance
Re-read any section above where you hesitate.