Chapter 5 Flashcards
Creating and testing models that may suggest cause-and-effect relationships among behaviors.
Causal modeling
In a correlational study, an estimate of the amount of variability in scores on one variable that can be explained by the other variable.
Coefficient of determination (r2)
The degree of relationship between two traits, behaviors, or events, represented by r.
Correlation
A study designed to determine the correlation between two traits, behaviors, or events.
Correlational study
A method in which the same set of behaviors or characteristics are measured at two separate points in time (often years apart); six different correlations are computed, and the pattern of correlations is used to infer the causal direction.
Cross-lagged panel design
A method in which different groups of subjects who are at different stages are measured at a single point in time; a method that looks for time-related changes.
Cross-sectional study
A study in which a researcher systematically examines the effects of pre-existing subject characteristics (often called subject variables) by forming groups based on these naturally occurring differences between subjects.
Ex post facto study
A correlation-based method for estimating a score on one measured behavior from a score on the other when two behaviors are strongly related.
Linear regression analysis
A method in which the same group of subjects is followed and measured at different points in time; a method that looks for changes across time.
Longitudinal design
Statistical intercorrelations among three or more behaviors, represented by R.
Multiple correlation
A correlation-based technique (from multiple correlation) that uses a regression equation to predict the score on one behavior from scores on the other related behaviors.
Multiple regression analysis
The relationship existing between two variables such that an increase in one is associated with a decrease in the other.
Negative correlation (inverse relationship)
A design in which the researcher compares the effects of different treatment conditions on pre existing groups of participants.
Nonequivalent groups design
An analysis that allows the statistical influence of one measured variable to be held constant while computing the correlation between the other two measured variables.
Partial correlation
An important correlation-based method in which subjects are measured on several related behaviors; the researcher creates (and tests) models of possible causal sequences using sophisticated correlational techniques.
Path analysis
The relationship between two measures such that an increase in the value of one is associated with an increase in the value of the other.
Positive correlation (direct relationship)
A research design used to assess whether the occurrence of an event alters behavior; scores from measurements made before and after the event (called the pretest and posttest) are compared.
Pretest/posttest design
Often seem like real experiments, but they lack one or more of its essential elements, such as manipulation of antecedents and random assignment to treatment conditions.
Quasi-experimental designs
The line of best fit; represents the equation that best describes the mathematical relationship between two variables measured in a correlational study.
Regression line
A graph of data from a correlational study, created by plotting pairs of scores from each subject; the value of one variable is plotted on the X (horizontal) axis and the other variable on the Y (vertical) axis.
Scatterplot
Relationships between pairs of scores from each subject.
Simple correlations
The characteristics of the subjects in an experiment or quasi-experiment that cannot be manipulated by the researcher; sometimes used to select subjects into groups.
Subject variable
