3.9: Exercises

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Find a description of an empirical study in a professional journal or in one of the scientific psychology blogs. Then write a brief description of the research in terms of the cyclical model presented here. One or two sentences for each part of the cycle should suffice.
Watch this TED Ed video, in which David H. Schwartz provides an introduction to two types of empirical studies along with some methods that scientists use to increase the reliability of their results.
Use the techniques discussed in this chapter to find 10 journal articles and book chapters on one of the following research ideas: memory for smells, aggressive driving, the causes of narcissistic personality disorder, the functions of the intraparietal sulcus, or prejudice against the physically handicapped.
Watch this video clip produced by UBCiSchool about how to read an academic paper (without losing your mind).
Generate three research ideas based on each of the following: informal observations, practical problems, and topics discussed in recent issues of professional journals.
Generate an empirical research question about each of the following behaviors or psychological characteristics: long-distance running, getting tattooed, social anxiety, bullying, and memory for early childhood events.
Evaluate each of the research questions you generated in Exercise 6 in terms of its interestingness based on the criteria discussed in this chapter.
Find an issue of a journal that publishes short empirical research reports (e.g., Psychological Science, Psychonomic Bulletin and Review, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin). Pick three studies, and rate each one in terms of how feasible it would be for you to replicate it with the resources available to you right now. Use the following rating scale: (1) You could replicate it essentially as reported. (2) You could replicate it with some simplifications. (3) You could not replicate it. Explain each rating.
Find a recent empirical research report in a professional journal. Read the introduction and highlight in different colors descriptions of theories and hypotheses.
Using the research article you found in a professional journal identify whether the study was experimental or non-experimental. If it was experimental, identify the independent and dependent variables.
Using the research article you found in a professional journal, identify which descriptive statistics were reported.
Describe why theories can be supported but not proved.