Chapter 9 - Non-Experimental Design I: Survey Methods Flashcards
Survey
A descriptive method in which participants are asked a series of questions or respond to a series of statements about a topic.
Self Selection Problem
In surveys, when the sample is composed of only those who voluntarily choose to respond, the result can be a biased sample.
Open-Ended Questions
A type of question found on surveys that requires a narrative response rather than a yes or no answer.
Closed Questions
A type of question found on surveys that can be answered yes or a no or by marking a point on a scale.
Leading Question
In a survey, a question asked in such a way that the answer desired by the questioner is clear.
DK Alternative
In survey research, when assessing levels of participant knowledge, this is an alternative that means don’t know. Advantage: doesn’t force a choice when the respondent truly does not know. Disadvantage: may be chosen too often.
Demographic Information
Data that classifies or identifies individuals (e.g., gender, age, income). it is best to put it at the end of a survey.
Double-Barreled Question
In a survey, a question or statement that asks or states two different things in a single item.
Interview Survey
A survey method in which the researcher interviews the participant face to face; allows for more in‐depth surveying (e.g., follow‐up questions and clarifications).
Advantages: follow‐up questions, ambiguous questions can be clarified.
Disadvantages: cost, logistics, representativeness. It means that the sample is a good reflection of the wider population; survey results from a representative sample can be generalized to the population.
Social Desirability Bias
A type of response bias in survey research; occurs when people respond to a question by trying to put themselves in a favourable light.
Phone Surveying
A survey method in which the researcher asks questions over the phone.
Mixed Mode = Combining methods of survey delivery, such as sending an email or mailing a letter prior to a phone survey
Online Survey
Survey research conducted over the Internet; can be a survey sent via e‐mail or posted on a website or social media site.
Positive Correlation
A relationship between variables X and Y such that a high score for X is associated with a high score for Y and a low score for X is associated with a low score for Y.
Negative Correlation
A relationship between variables X and Y such that a high score for X is associated with a low score for Y and a low score for X is associated with a high score for Y.
Scatterplot
A graph depicting the relationship shown by a correlation.
Pearson’s R (Coefficient of Correlation)
Measure of the size of a correlation between two variables; ranges from a perfect positive correlation of +1.00 to a perfect negative correlation of −1.00; if r = 0, then no relationship exists between the variables.
Regression Line
Summarizes the points of a scatterplot and provides the means for making predictions.
Criterion Variable
Form of validity in which a psychological measure is able to predict some future behaviour or is meaningfully related to some other measure.
Coefficient of Determination
For two correlated factors, the proportion of variance in one factor that can be attributed to the second factor; found by squaring Pearson’s r.
Predictor Variable
In a regression analysis, the variable used to predict the criterion variable (e.g., SAT scores are used to predict college grades).
Bivariate Analysis
A statistical analysis investigating the relationship between two variables.
Multivariate Analysis
A statistical analysis investigating the relationships among more than two variables.
Multiple Regression
A multivariate analysis that includes a criterion variable and two or more predictor variables; the predictors have different weights.
In simple, linear regression there is one predictor variable, whereas in multiple regression, there is more than one predictor variable; in both, there will be just one criterion variable.
Cross-Lagged Panel Correlation
A type of correlational research designed to deal with the directionality problem; if variables X and Y are measured at two different times and if X precedes Y, then X might cause Y but Y cannot cause X.
Third Variable Problem
The problem of drawing causal conclusions in correlational research; third variables are uncontrolled factors that could underline a correlation between variables X and Y.
Partial Correlation
A multivariate statistical procedure for evaluating the effects of third variables; if the correlation between X and Y remains high, even after some third factor Z has been partial out, then Z can be eliminated as a third variable.
Mediating Variable
A controlled (measured) third variable that explains how or why a relationship exists between two correlated variables.
Moderating Variable
A controlled (measured) third variable that explains under what conditions does the relationship between two variables exists; also called a moderator.
