chapter 2: psychological research methods and statistics Flashcards
Sample
the small group of participants our the total number available, that a researcher studies
Naturalistic Observation
research method in which the psychologist observes the subject in a natural setting without interfering
Case Study
research method that involves an intensive investigation of one or more participants
Survey
research method in which information is obtained by asking many individuals a fixed set of questions
Longitudinal Study
research method in which data is collected about a group of participants over a number of years to assess how certain characteristics change or remain the same during development
Cross-sectional Study
research method in which data is collected from groups of participants of different ages and compared so that conclusions can be drawn about differences due to age (non-random)
Correlation
measure of a relationship between two variables or sets of data
Hypothesis
educated guess about the relationship between two variables
Variable
any factor that is capable of change
Experimental Group
the group to which an independent variable is applied
Control Group
the group that is treated in the same way as the experimental group except that the experimental treatment (the independent variable) is applied
Self-fulfilling Prophecy
Situation in which a researcher’s expectations influence that person’s own behavior, and thereby influence the participant’s behavior
Single-Blind experiment
the participants are unaware of which participants received treatment
Double-Blind Experiment
neither the experimenter nor the participants know which participants received which treatment
Placebo Effect
a change in a participant’s illness or behavior that results from a belief that the treatment will have an effect, rather than the actual treatment
