exam II

Question 1

Variable

Answer 1

An event, situation, behavior, or characteristic that varies. Example: Height, mass, test score.

Question 2

Independent Variable (IV)

Answer 2

The variable that does not depend on others; it is manipulated in an experiment. Example: Hours of sleep in a sleep deprivation study.

Question 3

Dependent Variable (DV)

Answer 3

The outcome variable that is measured in response to changes in the IV. Example: Reaction time in a cognitive task after different hours of sleep.

Question 4

Operational Definition

Answer 4

The specific way a variable is manipulated or measured in a study. Example: Lack of sleep is defined as fewer than 4 hours per night.

Question 5

Third Variable Problem

Answer 5

When an unmeasured variable influences the observed relationship between two variables. Example: Ice cream sales and drowning deaths both increase in summer, but temperature is the third variable.

Question 6

Confounding Variable

Answer 6

A third variable that systematically varies with the IV, making it difficult to determine cause and effect. Example: If caffeine consumption differs between sleep study groups, it may confound the effect of sleep on reaction time.

Question 7

Experimental Research

Answer 7

Research where variables are manipulated and controlled to establish cause and effect. Example: Randomly assigning participants to high or low sleep conditions and measuring reaction time.

Question 8

Non-Experimental Research

Answer 8

Research that examines relationships without direct manipulation (e.g., surveys, observations). Example: Observing how students’ stress levels correlate with their exam scores.

Question 9

External Validity

Answer 9

The extent to which results can be generalized to other populations and settings.

Question 10

Internal Validity

Answer 10

The extent to which a study can accurately determine causal relationships.

Question 11

Construct Validity

Answer 11

The adequacy of the operational definitions of variables.

Question 12

Correlation Coefficient (r)

Answer 12

A statistical measure of the relationship between two variables, ranging from -1 to +1. Example: r = +0.8 indicates a strong positive correlation.

Question 13

Observational Techniques

Answer 13

Types:
- Naturalistic Observation: Observing subjects in their natural environment.
- Laboratory Observation: Observing subjects in a controlled setting.
- Participant Observation: The researcher interacts with subjects while observing.

Question 14

Survey Research

Answer 14

Asking individuals to report information about themselves. Problems: Social desirability bias, response sets, poorly worded questions.