Module 2 Flashcards
hindsight bias
the tendency to believe that one would have foreseen something after learning the outcome
theory
an explanation using an integrated set of principles that organize observations and predicts behaviours or events
hypothesis
a testable prediction often implied by a theory
operational definition
a carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study
replication
repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding can be reproduced
case study
a descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles
naturalistic observation
a descriptive technique of observing and recording behaviour in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation
survey
a descriptive technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviours of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative random sample for the group
random sample
a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion
population
all those in a group being studied, from which random samples may be drawn
correlation
a measure of the extent to which two factors vary together and thus of how well either factor predicts the other
correlational coefficient
a statistical index of the relationship between two things from negative one to positive one
variable
anything that can vary and is feasible and ethical to measure
scatterplot
a graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables
regression towards the mean
the tendency for extreme or unusual scores or events to fall back towards the average
experiment
a research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors to observe the effect on some behaviour or mental process
experimental group
in an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is to one version of the independent variable
control group
the group not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment
random assignment
assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimising preexisting differences between the different groups
double-blind procedure
an experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are blind about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. commonly used in drug trials
placebo effect
experimental results caused by expectations alone, any effect on behaviour caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent
independent variable
the factor that is manipulated, the variable whose effect is being studied
confounding variable
a factor other than the factor being studied that might influence a study’s results
dependent variable
the outcome that is measured; the variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated
informed consent
giving potential participants enough information about a study to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate
debriefing
the post experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions to its participants
