Module 2: Research Strategies (Vocabulary) Flashcards
Hindsight bias
The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have forseen it. “I -knew-it-all-along”.
Theory
an explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events.
Hypothesis
a testable prediction, often implied by a theory
Operational definition
a carefully worded statement of the exact procedures (operations) used in a research study. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures.
Replication
repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants on different situations, to see whether the basic finding can be reproduced.
Preregistration
publicly communicating planned study design, hypotheses, data collection, and analyses
Meta-analysis
a statistical procedure for analyzing the results of multiple studies to reach an overall conclusion.
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 behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.
Survey
a descriptive technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a respresentative, random sample of 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.
Correlation coefficient
a statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1.00 to +1.00)
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. The slope of the points suggest the direction of the relationship between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strenghth of the correlation.
Illusory correlation
Perceiving a relationship where none exists, or perceiving a stronger than-actual relationship.
Regression toward the mean
The tendency for extreme or unusual scores of events to fall back (regress) toward the average.
Experiment
A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (IV) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (DV). By random assignment of participants, the experimenter aims to control other relevant factors.
Experimental group
In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.
Control group
In an experiment, 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
Double-blind procedure
Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the different groups.
Placebo effect
experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent.
