Key Words Flashcards
Extraneous variable
A variable in a study that you haven’t planned for, which could impact results
Confounding variables
Variables that vary systematically with the independent variable so we cannot be sure what caused the change in the dependent variable
Demand characteristics
cues that might indicate the study aims to participants and allow them to behave in a way they think the researcher wants them to
Randomization
The use of chance to reduce the effects of the researchers unconscious biases when designing an investigation
Standardization
Making sure all the participants are subject to the same instructions and experience
Independent variable
Aspect of the research situation that is manipulated by the researcher or that changes naturally
Dependent variable
Variable in the experimental situation that is measured by the researcher
Hypothesis
A testable and predictive statement, often generated from a theory
Situational variables
Variables to do with the environment the study was conducted in
Participant variables
Anything to do with the people used in the study
Investigator effects
When the investigator may bias the final outcome of the study (unwanted influence)
Counterbalancing
A method to control order effects
Most common technique is ABBA
Target population
The group of people from whom the sample is drawn
Participant effects
When participants may behave in ways that might bias the validity of the research findings, when following the procedure of research
Participant reactivity
Responses/behaviors of participants that are affected by their awareness that they are part of a study
Evaluation apprehension
When participants are affected by the worry that they are being evaluated
Social desirability bias
When participants change to keep in line with social norms
The Hawthorne effect
When participants are effected by an awareness that they are being observed
Single blind design
When the participants are unaware of which condition they are in or the research aims to
Deception
Lying about the aims of the study and/or using distracting questions
Order effects
A confounding variable arising from the order in which conditions are presented
Eg. practice effect or boredom effect
Order effects
A confounding variable arising from the order in which conditions are presented
Eg. practice effect or boredom effect
Internal validity
Is it measuring what it’s supposed to?
Internal validity
Is it measuring what it’s supposed to?
External validity
Is it true for everyone? / can it be generalized?
External validity
Is it true for everyone? / can it be generalized?
Meta-analysis
Where a researcher looks at the findings from a number of different studies and produces a statistic to represent the overall effect
