Chapter 1

Question 1

confounded

Answer 1

A research study allows more than one explanation for results and thus reaching an unambiguous conclusion is impossible.

Question 2

construct /

hypothetical construct

Answer 2

Internal, non-measurable attributes or characteristics that cannot be directly observed but are useful for describing and explaining behavior.

Question 3

continuous variable

Answer 3

An infinite number of possible values that fall between any two observed values. A continuous variable is divisible into an infinite number of fractional parts.

Question 4

control condition /

experimental group

Answer 4

Individuals in a control condition do not receive the experimental treatment. Instead, they either receive no treatment or they receive a neutral, placebo treatment. The purpose of a control condition is to provide a baseline for comparison with the experimental condition. The individuals in the control condition are often called the control group. Individuals in the experimental condition do receive the experimental treatment and are often called the experimental group.

Question 5

correlational method

Answer 5

In the correlational method, two different variables are observed to determine whether there is a relationship between them.

Question 6

correlational research strategy

Answer 6

A research study that simply measures two different variables for each individual.

Question 7

data (pl.)

Answer 7

measurements or observations

Question 8

data set

Answer 8

A collection of measurements or observations.

Question 9

datum (sg.)

Answer 9

A single measurement or observation and is commonly called a score or raw score.

Question 10

dependent variable

Answer 10

The dependent variable is the variable that is observed to assess the effect of the treatment.

Question 11

descriptive statistics

Answer 11

Descriptive statistics are statistical procedures used to summarize, organize, and simplify data.

Question 12

discrete variable

Answer 12

A discrete variable consists of separate, indivisible categories. No values can exist between two neighboring categories.

Question 13

experimental method

Answer 13

In the experimental method, one variable is manipulated while another variable is observed and measured. To establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the two variables, an experiment attempts to control all other variables to prevent them from influencing the results.

Question 14

independent variable

Answer 14

The independent variables is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher. In behavioral research, the independent variable usually consists of the two (or more) treatment conditions to which subjects are exposed. The independent variable consists of the antecedent conditions that are manipulated prior to observing the dependent variable.

Question 15

inferential statistics

Answer 15

Inferential statistics consist of techniques that allow us to study samples and then make generalizations about the populations from which they were selected.

Question 16

interval scale

Answer 16

An interval scale consists of ordered categories that are all intervals of exactly the same size. Equal differences between numbers on the scale reflect equal differences in magnitude. However, the zero point on an interval scale is arbitrary and does not indicate zero amount of the variable being measured, e.g. temperatures.

Question 17

lower real limit

Answer 17

The lower boundaries of intervals for scores that are represented on a continuous number line.

Question 18

matching

Answer 18

Matching is used to ensure equivalent groups or equivalent environments in a research study.

Question 19

nominal scale

Answer 19

A nominal scale consists of a set of categories that have different names. Measurements on a nominal scale label and categorize observations, but do not make any quantitative distinctions between observations.

Question 20

nonequivalent groups study

Answer 20

In a nonequivalent groups study, the research has no ability to control the assignment of participants to groups. Because this type of research compares preexisting groups, the researcher cannot control the assignment of participants to groups and cannot ensure equivalent groups.

Question 21

operational definition

Answer 21

An operational definition identifies a measurement procedure (a set of operations) for measuring an external behavior and uses the resulting measurements as a definition and a measurement of an internal construct. It describes a set of operations for measuring a construct. Also, it defines the construct in terms of the resulting measurements, which help to numerically define constructs and make constructs visible.

Question 22

order of operations

Answer 22

1. Any calculation contained within parentheses is done first.
2. Squaring (or raising to other exponents) is done second.
3. Multiplying and/or dividing is done third. A series of multiplication and/or division operations should be done in order from left to right.
4. Summation using the “E” notation is done next.
5. Finally, any other addition and/or subtraction is done.

Question 23

ordinal scale

Answer 23

An ordinal scale consists of a set of categories that are organized in an ordered sequence. Measurements on an ordinal scale rank observations in terms of size or magnitude.

Question 24

parameter

Answer 24

A parameter is a value, usually a numerical value, that describes a population. A parameter is usually derived from measurements of the individuals in the population.

Question 25

population

Answer 25

A population is the entire set of the individuals of interest for a particular research question.

Question 26

pre-post study

Answer 26

The researcher has no control over the passage of time. The “before” scores are always measured earlier than the “after” scores. Although a difference between the two groups of scores may be caused by the treatment, it is always possible that the scores simply change as time goes by.

Question 27

quasi-independent variable

Answer 27

In a nonexperimental study, the “independent” variable that is used to create the different groups of scores is often called the quasi-independent variable.

Question 28

random assignment

Answer 28

Each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to each of the treatment conditions. The goal of random assignment is to distribute the participant characteristics evenly between the two groups so that neither group is noticeable smarter (or older, or faster, etc) than the other.