Chapter 2 Flashcards
Positive correlation
Two variables co-vary in the same way
Ex: supply ^ = quantity bought ^
Negative correlation
Two variables co-vary in opposite directions
Ex: gas price ^= down in how much people drive
Strength of correlation
Stronger relationship is the farther away from zero you are
Inferential statistics
Used to interpret data and draw conclusions
Statistical significance
Exists when the probability that the observed findings are due to chance is very low
Sample bias
Exists when a sample isn’t representative of the public/population it came from
Correlation Coefficient
Exists when two variables are related to each other
Descriptive statistics
Used to organize and summarize data
Might create a frequency distribution
Measure of tenancy and maybe histograms or Polygraphs
Operational definition
It describes the plan of how the actions will occur and that will be used to measure or controlled variable
Social desirability bias
A tendency to give socially approved answers to questions about oneself
Self-Report bias
Subject verbal accounts of their behavior
Experimental group
The group that receives special treatment
Control group
The group that is controlled and does not have any special treatment
Scientific method
1) Formulate a testable hypothesis
2) celeste the research method and designed the study
3) collect the data
4) analyze the data and draw conclusions
5) Report the findings in a journal
What is it mean, median, mode, and range?
Mean – the average
Median – the middle
Mode – the most occurrence
Range – the highest data point and lowest data point
Case study
An in-depth investigation of an individual subject
I. E. Interviews, looking at our wards, psychological testing
Survey
Use questionnaires or interviews together information about specific aspects of participants backgrounds, attitudes, beliefs or behaviors
Questionnaire
A series of questions used to gather information about specific aspects of participants background, attitude, beliefs or behavior
Naturalistic observation
Observes people directly and carefully, but does not intervene with the subject itself
Independent variable
The variable that you effect
Dependent variable
The measurement of the outcome
Extraneous variables
I need variable that influences the dependent variable and a specific study
- that is not the independent variable
Variability and standard deviation
Standard deviation is the variance of scores around the mean
Scientists want small standard deviation because it’s more consistent
Experimenter bias
Occurs when a researchers expectations or preferences about the outcome of the study influences the results obtained
Psychological testing
An objective and standardized measure of a sample of behavior
