Chapter 2 -- Studying Child Development

Question 1

Operational Definition

Answer 1

Specification of variables in terms of measurable properties

Question 2

Validity

Answer 2

Degree to which an assessment procedure actually measures the variable under consideration

Question 3

Reliability

Answer 3

Degree to which a measure will yield the same results if administered repeatedly

Question 4

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 4

Study in which observations of naturally occurring behavior are made in real-life settings

Question 5

Participant Reactivity

Answer 5

Tendency of individuals who know they are under observation to alter natural behavior

Question 6

Observer Bias

Answer 6

Tendency of researchers to interpret ongoing events as being consistent with their research hypothesis

Question 7

Structured Observation

Answer 7

Study in which behaviors are corded as they occur within a situation constructed by the experimenter, usually in the laboratory

Question 8

Structured Interview

Answer 8

Standardized set of questions administered orally to participants

Question 9

Meta-Analysis

Answer 9

Statistical examination of a body of research studies to assess the effect of the common central variable

Question 10

Correlational Study

Answer 10

Study that assesses whether changes in one variable are accompanied by systematic changes in another variable

Question 11

Correlational Coeefficient

Answer 11

(R) statistical measure, ranging from +1.00 to -1.00, that summarizes e strength and direction of the relationship between two variables; does not provide information about causation

Question 12

Positive Correlation

Answer 12

Relationship in which changes in one variable are accompanied by systematic changes in another variable in the same direction

Question 13

Negative Correlation

Answer 13

Relationship in which changes in one variable are accompanied by systematic changes in another variable in the opposite direction

Question 14

Regression Analysis

Answer 14

A correlation-based statistical technique that allows researchers to make predictions about outcome variables based on one or more predictor variables

Question 15

Experimental Design

Answer 15

Research method in which one or more independent variables a manipulated to determine the effect on other, dependent variables

Question 16

Independent Variable

Answer 16

Variable manipulated by the experimenter; the suspected cause

Question 17

Dependent Variable

Answer 17

Behavior that is measured; suspected effect of an experimental manipulation

Question 18

Internal Validity

Answer 18

The ability to draw cause and effect conclusions by controlling for extraneous variables in an experimental study

Question 19

Random Assignment

Answer 19

Use of principles of chance to assign participants to treatment and control groups; avoids systematic bias

Question 20

External Validity

Answer 20

The ability to generalize the findings of a study to other situations, contexts, or individuals

Question 21

Field Experiment

Answer 21

Study in which the experimental manipulations are carried out in a natural setting

Question 22

Quasi-Experiment

Answer 22

Study in which researchers investigate the effects of independent variables that they do not manipulate themselves but that occur as a result of participants natural experiences

Question 23

Case Study

Answer 23

In-depth research of psychological characteristics and behaviors of an individual, often in the form of a narrative

Question 24

Single-Case Designs

Answer 24

Study that follows only one or a few participants over a period of time, with an emphasis on systematic collection of data

Question 25

Longitudinal Study

Answer 25

Research in which the same participants are repeatedly tested over a period of time, usually years

Question 26

Cross-Sectional Study

Answer 26

Study in which individuals of different ages are examined at the same point in time.

Question 27

Cohort Effect

Answer 27

All the characteristics shared by individuals growing up in a specific social and historical context

Question 28

Sequential Study

Answer 28

Study that examines groups of individuals of different ages over a period of time; usually shorter than a longitudinal study

Question 29

Microgenetic Study

Answer 29

A research approach in which close observations are made of the individual child’s behavior from one trial to the next

Question 30

Cross-Cultural Study

Answer 30

Study that compares individuals in different cultural contexts

Question 31

Ethnography

Answer 31

Set of methods, including observations and interviews, used by researchers to describe the behaviors and underlying meaning systems within a given culture

Question 32

Informed Consent

Answer 32

Participants formal acknowledgment that he or she understands the purposes, procedures, and risks of a study, and agrees to participate in it.