Convenience Sampling in Psychology Research

When conducting psychology research, rolling out a survey for academic purposes or collecting samples for practical scenarios, there are different approaches to doing this. One of the ways is through convenience sampling. As the term describes, it means collecting samples from those who are the most conveniently accessible.1 This article provides a detailed understanding of convenience sampling, how it … Read more

Confounding Variables in Psychology Research

Real World Examples of Confounding Variables Typical examples of confounding variables often relate to demographics and social and economic outcomes. For instance, people who are relatively low in socioeconomic status during childhood tend to do, on average, worse financially than others do when they reach adulthood, explains Glenn Geher, PhD, professor of psychology at State University … Read more

How Snowball Sampling Used in Psychology Research

Snowball sampling is a recruitment technique in which current research participants are enlisted to help recruit other potential study participants. This involves tapping into each participant’s social network to find more subjects for a study. It allows researchers to find subjects who belong to a specific population who might not otherwise volunteer or seek out … Read more

How Qualitative Data Is Used in Psychology

What Is Qualitative Data? A well-researched article can generate a powerful impact when numbers represent an important fact. For instance, you would feel shocked to find out exactly how much more likely you are to develop mental health issues if you scroll on your phone for more than 3 hours a day. The numbers don’t … Read more

Descriptive Research in Psychology

Descriptive research is one of the key tools needed in any psychology researcher’s toolbox in order to create and lead a project that is both equitable and effective. Because psychology, as a field, loves definitions, let’s start with one. The University of Minnesota’s Introduction to Psychology defines this type of research as one that is “…designed to provide a snapshot … Read more

Diagnosis vs. Prognosis in Mental Health

The terms diagnosis and prognosis are often used in mental health. While they are sometimes confused, they have different meanings. A diagnosis identifies the condition that is associated with a set of symptoms. A prognosis is a prediction about the course that a condition will take.1 At a Glance A diagnosis identifies a person’s current condition, … Read more

8 Psychology Basics You Need to Know

Psychology can be fun and fascinating, but it can also be a little bit daunting if you have no background in the subject. If you want to start studying this social science, it can be helpful to start with the basics. It’s not required (or even offered) in many high schools, so your college Intro … Read more

Spontaneous Recovery in Psychology

Spontaneous recovery is defined as the reappearance of the conditioned response after a rest period or period of lessened response. A behavior is displayed that was thought to be extinct. If the conditioned stimulus and unconditioned stimulus are no longer associated, extinction will occur very rapidly after a spontaneous recovery. This can apply to responses that have been formed through both … Read more