Chapter 1.4 Flashcards
Naturalistic Observation
Observing behavior in its natural environment with minimal interference.
Archival Studies
Research using existing data, databases, or previous studies.
Case Study
In-depth study of a single individual or organization.
Survey Research
Collects information from a large sample using questionnaires or interviews.
Correlation
Measures the relationship between two variables using a correlation coefficient.
Correlation Coefficient
A statistical index (e.g., +.76) that shows the strength and direction of a relationship between variables.
Positive Correlation
Both variables increase or decrease together (e.g., studying more leads to higher grades).
Negative Correlation
One variable increases while the other decreases (e.g., more screen time leads to lower sleep quality).
Correlation vs. Causation
Correlation shows relationships but does not prove cause-and-effect (e.g., big feet do not cause larger vocabularies).
Independent Variable (IV)
The variable manipulated by the researcher in an experiment.
Dependent Variable (DV)
The outcome measured in response to changes in the independent variable.
Random Assignment
Participants are randomly assigned to experimental or control groups to reduce bias.
Control Group
Does not receive the independent variable; serves as a baseline for comparison.
Strengths of Experimental Research
Controls extraneous variables, increases internal validity, and allows for cause-and-effect conclusions.
Weaknesses of Experimental Research
Can be artificial, have lower external validity, and may be unethical or impractical for some topics.
Research Ethics
APA guidelines include informed consent, debriefing, deception rules, and Institutional Review Board (IRB) oversight.
Informed Consent
Participants must be informed about the study and voluntarily agree to participate.
Debriefing
Explaining the study’s purpose and findings to participants after the experiment.
Experimenter Bias
When a researcher’s expectations unintentionally influence the results.
Participant Bias
When participants alter their behavior based on what they think the researcher expects.
