1.2 research methods used by psychologists

Question 1

descriptive methods

Answer 1

Research methods whose main purpose is to provide objective and detailed descriptions of BEHAVIOR AND MENTAL PROCESS.

Question 2

laboratory observation

Answer 2

A descriptive research method in which the behavior of interest is unobtrusively OBSERVED IN THE LABRATORY.

Question 3

naturalistic observation

Answer 3

A descriptive research method in which the behavior of interest is unobtrusively OBSERVED IN ITS NATURAL SETTING.

Question 4

participant observation

Answer 4

A descriptive research method in which the OBSERVER becomes PART OF THE GROUP BEING OBSERVED.

Question 5

case study

Answer 5

A descriptive research method in which the researcher STUDIES THE INDIVIDUAL IN DEPTH over an extended period of time.

Question 6

survey research

Answer 6

A descriptive research method in which the researcher uses QUESTONARES AND SERVEYS to COLLECT INFO about the BEHAVIOR, BELEIFS, AND ATTITUDES of particular groups of people.

Question 7

population

Answer 7

The ENTIRE GROUP of people that a researcher is studying.

Question 8

sample

Answer 8

The SUBSET OF A POPULATION that actually participates in a research study.

Question 9

random sampling

Answer 9

A sampling technique that obtains a representative sample of a population by ensuring that EACH INDIVIDUAL IN THE POPULATION HAS AN EQUAL CHANCE TO BE IN THE SAMPLE.

Question 10

correlational study

Answer 10

A research study in which 2 VARIABLES ARE MEASURED to determine if they are related (HOW WELL EITHER ONE PREDICTS THE OTHER)

Question 11

variable

Answer 11

Any factor that can take on more than one value.

Question 12

positive correlation

Answer 12

A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP between two variables.

Question 13

correlation coefficient

Answer 13

A statistic that tells us the TYPE OF STRENGTH OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN 2 VARIABLES The sign of the coefficient (+ or −) indicates the type of correlation— positive or negative, respectively. The absolute value of the coefficient (0.0 to 1.0)

Question 14

negative correlation

Answer 14

An INVERSE RELATIONSHIP between two variables.

Question 15

scatterplot

Answer 15

A visual depiction of correlational data in which each data point REPRESENTS THE SCORES on the 2 VARIABLES for each participant

Question 16

third-variable problem

Answer 16

An explanation of a CORRELATION BETWEEN 2 VARIABLES in terms of another (third) variable that could possibly be responsible for the observed relationship between the two variables.

Question 17

spurious correlation

Answer 17

A correlation in which the variables are related through their relationship with one or more other variables but not through a causal mechanism.

Question 18

random assignment

Answer 18

A control measure in which participants are randomly assigned to groups in order to equalize participant characteristics across the various groups in an experiment.

Question 19

independent variable

Answer 19

In an experiment, the variable that is a hypothesized cause and thus is manipulated by the experimenter.

Question 20

dependent variable

Answer 20

In an experiment, the variable that is hypothesized to be affected by the independent variable and thus is measured by the experimenter.

Question 21

experiment

Answer 21

A research method in which the researcher manipulates one or more independent variables and measures their effect on one or more dependent variables while controlling other potentially relevant variables.

Question 22

experimental group

Answer 22

In an experiment, the group exposed to the independent variable.

Question 23

control group

Answer 23

In an experiment, the group not exposed to the independent variable.

Question 24

operational definition

Answer 24

A description of the operations or procedures that a researcher uses to manipulate or measure a variable.

Question 25

placebo effect

Answer 25

Improvement due to the expectation of improving because of receiving treatment.

Question 26

placebo group

Answer 26

A control group of participants who believe they are receiving treatment, but who are only receiving a placebo.

Question 27

double-blind procedure

Answer 27

A control measure in an experiment in which neither the experimenters nor the participants know which participants are in the experimental and control groups.

Question 27

placebo

Answer 27

An inactive pill or a sham treatment that has no known effects.

Question 27

inferential statistical analyses

Answer 27

Statistical analyses that allow researchers to draw conclusions about the results of a study by determining the probability that the results are due to random variation (chance). The results are statistically significant if this probability is .05 or less.

Question 28

meta-analysis

Answer 28

A statistical technique that combines the results of a large number of studies on one experimental question into one analysis to arrive at an overall conclusion.