Key Terms Flashcards
Research Methods:
Experimental Method
A controlled scientific procedure involving the manipulation of variable to determine cause and effect.
Research Methods:
Independent Variable
The factor that is manipulated or controlled.
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Dependent Variable
The factor that is measured; Affected by the independent variable.
Research Methods:
Experimental Group
Group that is exposed to the independent variable.
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Control Group
Group exposed to all experimental conditions except for the independent variable.
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Confounding Variable
(aka Extraneous Variables)
Variables that have an unwanted influence on the outcome of the experiement.
Research Methods:
Double-Blind Study
A procedure where neither the researcher, nor the participant, knows what group received the experimental treatment. Reduces experimenter bias.
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Case Study
An in-depth examination of a single research participant.
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Correlation Research
Research Methods:
Correlation Coefficient
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Mean
A measure of central tendency that provides the average score.
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Median
A measure of central tendency that divides a frequency distribution exactly in half.
Research Methods:
Mode
A measure of central tendency that identifies the most frequently occurring score in a distribution.
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Standard Deviation
A measure of variability that indicates the average differences between the scores and their mean.
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Normal Distribution
Bell shaped curve; describes the spread of a characteristic of a population. In normal distribution, half the scores are at or above the mean, and half the scores are at or below.
