Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Psychology Year 12 > Chapter 9 Scientific Research Methods > Flashcards

Chapter 9 Scientific Research Methods Flashcards

1
Q

Hypothesis

A

A testable prediction of the relationship between two variables

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Variable

A

Any event, condition or characteristic that changes (varies) or can be made to change

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Participants

A

The people or animals whose behaviour, characteristics or responses are investigated and measured as part of an experiment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Data

A

The observed facts that constitute the results of an experiment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Raw data

A

The actual data collected from a study, before it is sorted or analysed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Conclusion

A

A decision or judgement about the meaningfulness of the results of a study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Inferential statistics

A

Statistics that allow an experimenter to make inferences and conclusions about data; they are often used to interpret results of a study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Experimental method

A

A scientific research method that uses participants in a formal trial to confirm or disconfirm a hypothesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Experiment

A

A research method that involves gathering data under controlled conditions to test a hypothesis by exposing participants to a treatment and observing and measuring its effect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Experimental group

A

In a controlled experiment, the group of participants exposed to the independent variable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Independent variable (IV)

A

The condition that an experimenter systemically manipulates (changes or varies) in order to gauge its effect on another variable (the dependent variable)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Dependent variable (DV)

A

The condition in an experiment or aspect of the participant’s behaviour that is affected by changes in the independent variable (IV); it is used as a measure of the IV’s effect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Control group

A

In a controlled experiment, the group of participants exposed to all conditions or variables except the independent variable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Experimental hypothesis

A

A broad and general prediction about the direction of the relationship between variables in an experiment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Research hypothesis

A

A hypothesis that operationalises the variables by precisely defining and describing how each variable is measured, and predicts the exact effect the IV is expected to have on the behaviour of the population from which the sample has been selected

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Population

A

The larger group of research interest from which a sample ina research study has been drawn

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Sample

A

The group of participants in a research study selected from, and representative of, a population of research interest

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Operational variable

A

A variable defined or described in terms of the procedure used to observe and measure it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Extraneous variable

A

In an experiment, a variable other than the IV that might cause unwanted changes in the DV

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Controlled variable

A

Ian extraneous variable whose influence has been eliminated from an experiment so that it cannot affect results; it has been controlled

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Uncontrolled variable

A

An extraneous variable whose influence has not been eliminated from an experiment because the experimenter was not aware of it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Confounding variable

A

An uncontrolled variable that has had an unwanted effect on the DV and might be confused with the effect of the IV

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Standardisation

A

Establishing standards for administering a test and interpreting scores

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Participant variables

A

Individual differences in the personal characteristics of research participants that, if not controlled, can confound the results of the experiment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Order effect
Where priori knowledge of a task or situation influences a participant's performance, which in turn influences the results of the experiment; also known as the practice effect
26
Counterbalancing
A method used to control order effect, where half the participants in an experiment are exposed to the control condition first and the other half are exposed to the experimental condition first; that is then reversed in the second instance
27
Experimenter effect
Changes in participants' behaviour that are caused by the unintended influence of the experimenter rather than the IV
28
Self-fulfilling prophecy
A prediction that prompts people to act in a way that makes the prediction come true
29
Double-blind procedure
An experimental procedure where neither the experimenter nor the participants know which experimental condition the participants have been allocated to
30
Placebo
A fake treatment that had no active effect, such as a fake pill or injection
31
Placebo effect
Changes in behaviour caused by the belief that one has been exposed to a treatment that will affect the in some way
32
Single-blind procedure
An experimental procedure where participants do not know which experimental condition they have been assigned to, but the experimenter does
33
Independent-groups design
An experimental design where participants are randomly allocated to either the experimental group or control group
34
Matched-participants design
An experimental design where participants are paired on the basis of similar characteristics that can influence the DV, with one of the pair being allocated to the experimental group and the other to the control group
35
Repeated-measure design
An experimental design method where the same group of participants makes up both the experimental and control group
36
Random sampling
A sampling technique ensuring that every member of the population of interest has an equal chance of being selected for the sample being used in a study
37
Strathfield sampling
A sampling technique that ensures the sample contains the same proportions of participants that are found in the population
38
Random-Stratified sampling
A form of stratified sampling involving random samples of each stratum being selected
39
Convenience sampling
A smashing technique involving the selection of participants because they are readily available to the researcher
40
Random allocation
A procedure for assigning participants to either the experimental group or control group in an expeirment, ensuring that all participants have an equal chance of being allocated to either group
41
Qualitative data
Data that describes the changes in the quality of a behaviour; often accounts of personal attitudes or experiences, or descriptions of feelings
42
Quantitative data
Data collected through systematic and controlled methodology and presented in numerical form
43
Case study
An in-depth, detailed study of all aspects of a single participant, group or event, usually undertaken to gain insight into a particular psychological phenomenon
44
Observational studies
A method of data-collection that involves watching and recording the behaviour of another person(s) or animal(s) within a specific environment and drawing conclusions based on the recorded observations
45
Observer effect
Changes in the behaviour of a person being observed caused by their awareness of the presence of an observer
46
Observer bias
Bias in results of an observational study that occurs when an observer see what he or she expects to see, or records only selected details of an observed behaviour
47
Self-report
A data-collection technique in which individuals are asked to freely express their attitudes (verbally or in writing) by answering questions
48
Questionnaire
A written set of standardised questions that can be administered face-to-face, by mail, by telephone or via the internet
49
Interview
A form of qualitative data-collection where individuals are asked to comment on their attitude towards a particular issue
50
Descriptive statistics
Statistics used to describe, summarise, organise and analyse data
51
Measure of central tendency
A measure of the tendency for a majority of scores to fall in the mid-range of possible values
52
Mean
A measure of central tendency found by adding up all the values and dividing the total by the number of values
53
Median
A measure of central tendency found by arranging scores from the highest to the lowest, and selecting the score that falls in the middle
54
Mode
A measure of central tendency found by selecting the most frequently occurring score in a group of scores
55
Statistical significance
A number obtained from inferential statistics that provides an estimate of how often experimental results could have occurred by chance alone
56
Generalisation
A decision or judgement about whether results obtained from a sample are representative of the relevant population
57
Ethics
Moral principles and codes of behaviour
58
Participants' rights
The individual rights of all participants that must be respected by the researcher, as outlined in ethical guidelines relating to psychological research
59
Confidentiality
A participant's rights to privacy in terms of access, storage and disposal of information related to a research study in which they participated
60
Voluntary participation
Participation whereby participants agree to take part in an experiment free from pressure or fear of negative consequences
61
Withdrawal rights
A participant's right to withdraw from a study or research at any time without experiencing any negative consequences
62
Informed consent
Where a participant gives their written consent to participate in s study after being fully informed of the true nature and purpose of the expeirment, any foreseeable risks and their rights before an experiment commences
63
Deception
When information about the true purpose of a study is not given to participants before a study begins
64
Debriefing
Informing participants of the true purpose of an experiment once it has ended; correcting mistaken attitudes or beliefs; providing the opportunity to gain information about the study; providing information about services to help with distress resulting from participation
65
Scientific method
A data-gathering method that involves testing a hypothesis by means of careful measurement and controlled observation

Psychology Year 12 (9 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions