Chapter 2: Doing Social Psychology Research Flashcards
Hypothesis
A testable prediction about the conditions under which an event will occur
Theory
An organised set of principles used to explain observed phenomena
Basic Research
Research whose goal is to increase the understanding of human behavior, often by testing hypotheses based on a theory
Applied Research
Research whose goal is to make applications to the world and contribute to the solution of social problems
Operational Definition
The specific procedures for manipulating or measuring a conceptual variable
Construct Validity
The extent to which the measures used in a study measure the variables they were designed to measure and the manipulations in an experiment manipulate the variables they were designed to manipulate
Bogus Pipeline Technique
A procedure in which research participants are (falsely) led to believe that their responses will be verified by an infallible lie detector
Interrater Reliability
The degree to which different observers agree on their observations
Descriptive Research
To describe people and their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
Archival Studies
Involves examining existing records of past events and behaviors, such as newspaper articles, medical records, diaries, sports statistics, personal ads, crime statistics, or hits on a website
Survey
A voluntary questionnaire
Observational Studies
Studying behaviors in a natural environment
Random Sampling
A method of selecting participants for a study so that everyone in a population has an equal chance of being in the study
Correlational Research
Research designed to measure the association between variables that are not manipulated by the researcher
Correlational Coefficient
A statistical measure of the strength and direction of the association between two variables
Experiment
A form of research that can demonstrate causal relationships because (1) the experimenter has control over the events that occur and (2) participants are randomly assigned to conditions
Random Assignment
A method of assigning participants to the various conditions of an experiment so that each participant in the experiment has an equal chance of being in any of the conditions
Independent Variable
In an experiment, a factor that experimenters manipulate to see if it affects the dependent variable.
Dependent Variable
In an experiment, a factor that experimenters measure to see if it is affected by the independent variable
Subject Variable
A variable that characterizes preexisting differences among the participants in a study
Internal Validity
The degree to which there can be reasonable certainty that the independent variables in an experiment caused the effects obtained on the dependent variables
Confound
A factor other than the independent variable that varies between the conditions of an experiment, thereby calling into question what caused any effects on the dependent variable
Experimenter Expectancy Effects
The effects produced when an experimenter’s expectations about the results of an experiment affect his or her behavior toward a participant and thereby influence the participant’s responses
External Validity
The degree to which there can be reasonable confidence that the results of a study would be obtained for other people in other situations
