Basic Concepts Flashcards
What is a hypothesis?
A testable prediction about the relationship between variables.
Example: “Increasing study time improves test scores.”
What is an independent variable (i.v.)?
The variable that is manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable.
Example: Study time.
What is a dependent variable (d.v.)?
The variable that is measured and is affected by the independent variable.
Example: Test scores.
What is causation?
A relationship where one event causes another.
Example: Exercise causes weight loss.
What is correlation?
A relationship where two variables move together, but one does not necessarily cause the other.
Example: Ice cream sales and temperature.
What is an alternative hypothesis?
The hypothesis that there is an effect or a relationship between variables.
Example: Studying improves test scores.
What is a null hypothesis?
The hypothesis that there is no effect or relationship between variables.
Example: Studying has no effect on test scores.
What is exploratory research?
Research conducted to explore a phenomenon without a specific hypothesis.
Example: Conducting interviews to understand customer preferences.
What is explanatory research?
Research conducted to explain relationships between variables and test hypotheses.
Example: Studying the impact of a new teaching method on student performance.
What is qualitative research?
Research involving non-numerical data to understand concepts and experiences.
Example: Focus groups.
What is quantitative research?
Research involving numerical data to quantify variables and analyze relationships.
Example: Surveys with numerical ratings.
What are mixed methods?
Research combining both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Example: Using both surveys and interviews to study a topic.
What are the levels of measurement?
Different types of data categorization:
- Nominal: Categories without a specific order.
- Ordinal: Categories with a specific order.
- Interval: Ordered categories with equal intervals, no true zero.
- Ratio: Ordered categories with equal intervals and a true zero.
What is true zero?
A point indicating the absence of the variable being measured.
Example: Zero income means no income.
What is categorical data?
Data divided into specific categories.
Example: Types of pets.
What is continuous data?
Data that can take any value within a range.
Example: Height in centimeters.
What are number ranges?
Ordinal scales where numbers represent ranges.
Example: Salary range ($40,000-$50,000).
What is a Likert scale?
A scale measuring attitudes or opinions with a range of responses.
Example: Rating agreement from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).
What are number scales?
Scales used to rate something numerically.
Example: Rating satisfaction on a scale of 1-10.
What are confounding variables?
Variables that may affect the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
Example: Diet affecting the relationship between exercise and weight loss.
What is internal validity?
The extent to which an experiment accurately establishes cause-and-effect.
Example: Ensuring only the independent variable affects the dependent variable.
What is covariance?
The degree to which two variables vary together.
Example: Studying the relationship between study time and test scores.
What is temporal precedence?
Establishing that the cause precedes the effect in time.
Example: Demonstrating that studying occurs before changes in test scores.
What does limiting confounding variables mean?
Controlling for variables that may distort the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
Example: Random assignment in experiments.
What is external validity?
The extent to which research findings can be generalized.
Example: Applying findings from one school to others nationwide.
What is a mediating variable?
A variable that stands between the independent and dependent variables and explains their relationship.
Example: Stress mediating the relationship between workload and job satisfaction.
What is a moderating variable?
A variable that impacts the strength of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
Example: Age moderating the effect of exercise on health outcomes.
