Ch.2 Research methods

Question 1

Measure

Answer 1

Method of describing a variable’s quantity

Question 2

Validity

Answer 2

Quality of a measure that leads to correct conclusions

Question 3

Control group

Answer 3

Experiences all experimental procedures except exposure to the independent variable

Question 4

Meta-analysis

Answer 4

Statistical review of many previous experiments on a single topic

Question 5

Cross sectional study

Answer 5

Assessing age related changes w/ the data simultaneously from people of differing ages.

Question 6

Theory

Answer 6

Set of facts and relationships b/w facts that can explain and predict related phenomena

Question 7

Experiment

Answer 7

Research method that tests hypotheses and allows researchers to make conclusions about causality

Question 8

Dependent variable

Answer 8

Measure demonstrates re effects of the control, the result part of the hypothesis

Question 9

Survey

Answer 9

Descriptive Method where participants are asked the same questions

Question 10

Random Assignment

Answer 10

Each participant has an equal chance of being placed in any group in an experiment.

Question 11

Publication bias

Answer 11

Possibility that studies are not representative of all work done on a particular phenomenon.

Question 12

Statistical Significance

Answer 12

Standard for deciding whether an observed result is because of chance

Question 13

Reliability

Answer 13

Consistency of a measure including: test-retest, interested, intermethod, and internal consistency

Question 14

Normal distribution

Answer 14

Symmetrical probability function

Question 15

Placebo

Answer 15

Inactive substance or treatment that cannot be distinguished from a real active, substance or treatment

Question 16

Case Study

Answer 16

In depth analysis of the behaviour of one person or a small # of people

Question 17

Inferential Statistics

Answer 17

Method that allows experimenters to extend conclusions from samples to larger populations

Question 18

Longitudinal Study

Answer 18

Assessing age related changes w/ data from the same individuals over a long period

Question 19

Standard Deviation

Answer 19

Measure of how tightly clustered around the mean a group of scores is

Question 20

Descriptive Statistics

Answer 20

Methods that organize data into meaningful patterns and summaries, like finding the average value

Question 21

Variable

Answer 21

Factor that has a range of values

Question 22

Experimental group

Answer 22

Participants who are exposed to the independent variable

Question 23

Correlation

Answer 23

Measure of the direction and strength of the relationship b/w two variables

Question 24

Operationalization

Answer 24

Defining variables in ways that allow them to be measured.

Question 25

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 25

In depth study of a phenomenon in its environment

Question 26

Confounding variable

Answer 26

Is irrelevant to the hypothesis being tested but can alter a researchers conclusions

Question 27

Third variable

Answer 27

Variable that is responsible for a correlation observed between two other variables of interest

Question 28

Confirmation bias

Answer 28

Noticing and remembering instances that support your beliefs more than instances that contradict them

Question 29

Null Hypothesis

Answer 29

States the default position that there is no real difference between two measures

Question 30

Double blind procedure

Answer 30

Design where the participant and experimenter both don’t know who’s been assigned the placebo

Question 31

Descriptive method

Answer 31

Research methods designed for making careful, systematic observations

Question 32

Independent variable

Answer 32

Controlled and manipulated by the experimenter, the if A happens part of the hypothesis

Question 33

Mixed longitudinal design

Answer 33

Method for assessing age related changes where a cross section of participants are observed over a shorter period