Chapter 3: Research Methods Flashcards
Independent Variable
the variable the researcher manipulates
Dependent Variable
the variable that is being measured
Random Assignment
a 50/50 chance being in either condition in an experiment
Operational Definitions
clearly defining what the researcher is measuring
Between-Subjects Design
-you can only have one result of the other
-different groups assigned to an experiment
-exposed to one condition or outcome
Within-Subjects Design
-having control over the outcome of the experiment
-exposed to both conditions or outcomes
-each participant has their own control
rules of thumb that help streamline our thinking
Heuristics
the tendency to presume that someone/ something belongs to a particular group if resembling a typical member ex. Thinking that a engineer is a lawyer just because the look like one
Representative Heuristics
making a judgment based on what we can remember, rather than complete data ex. Watching titanic right before going on a boat, this creates fear within us
Availability Heuristics
Keys to a Successful Experimental Design
random selection, internal validity, external validity, reliability, awareness of leniency effect, problems with self-report measures
Random Selection
incorporating people from across the world
Internal Validity
helps us find cause and effect
-was the study done right?
External Validity
how well does it generalize/relate to the real world?
Reliability
consistency of the test
-do the results stay the same or keep changing?
Awareness of Leniency Effect
tendency of being overally generous
Problems of self-report measures?
tendency to stick around the middle during surveys