Chapter 2 Flashcards
Steps in the scientific method
- Observe some phenomenon
- Formulate hypotheses and predictions
- Test through empirical research
- Draw conclusions
- Evaluate theory
Theory
A broad idea or set of closely related ideas that attempts to explain observations and to make predictions about future observations
Hypothesis
An educated guess that derives logically from a theory; a prediction that can be tested
Prediction
A statement about the specific expectation for the outcome of a study
Variable
Anything that can change
Operational definition
A definition that provides an objective description of how a variable is going to be measured and observed in a particular study
Replication
Repeating a study in a new sample to see if the results are the same as in previous work. A direct replication employs the very same methods as the original study. A conceptual replication employs different methods to test the same prediction
Meta-analysis
A statistical procedure that summarizes a large body of evidence from the research literature on a particular topic, allowing the researcher to assess the strength of the relationship between the variables
Descriptive research
Research that determines the basic dimensions of a phenomenon - defining what is, how often it occurs, and so on
Case study/history
An in-depth look at a single individual
Correlational research
Research that examines the relationship between variables in order to find out whether and how two variables change together
Third variable problem
The circumstance in which a variable that has not been measured accounts for the relationship between two other variables. Also known as confounds
Cross-sectional design
A type of correlational study in which variables are measured at a single point in time
Longitudinal design
A special kind of systematic observation, used by correlational researchers, that involves obtaining measures of the variables of interest in multiple waves over time
Big Data
Extremely large datasets provided by public records or naturally occurring sources of information that can be analyzed to describe and understand human behavior
Experiment
A carefully regulated procedure in which the researcher manipulates one or more variables believed to influence some other variables
Random assignment
The assignment of participants to experimental groups by chance, to reduce the likelihood that a study’s results will be due to preexisting differences between groups
Independent variable
A manipulated experimental factor; the variable that the experimenter changes to see what its effects are
Dependent variable
The outcome; the variable that may change in an experiment in response to changes in the independent variable
Confederate
A person who is given a role to play in an experiment so that the social context can be manipulated
Experimental group
The participants in an experiment who receive the drug or other treatment under study; those who are exposed to the change that the independent variable represents
Control group
The participants in an experiment who are as much like the experimental group as possible and who are treated in every way like the experimental group except for a manipulated factor, the independent variable
External validity
The degree to which an experimental design actually reflects the real-world issues it is supposed to address
Internal validity
The degree to which changes in the dependent variable are due to the manipulation of the independent variable
