Module #2 Vocab

Question 1

Hindsight bias

Answer 1

the tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it

Question 2

Peer reviewers

Answer 2

scientific experts who evaluate a research article’s theory, originality, and accuracy

Question 3

Theory

Answer 3

scientific experts who evaluate a research article’s theory, originality, and accuracy

Question 4

Hypothesis

Answer 4

a testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Question 5

Operational definition

Answer 5

a testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Question 6

Replication

Answer 6

repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding can be reproduced

Question 7

Preregistration

Answer 7

publicly communicating planned study design, hypotheses, data collection, and analyses

Question 8

Case study

Answer 8

publicly communicating planned study design, hypotheses, data collection, and analyses

Question 9

Naturalistic observation

Answer 9

a descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without changing or controlling the situation

Question 10

Survey

Answer 10

a descriptive technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group

Question 11

Random sample

Answer 11

a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

Question 12

Population

Answer 12

all those in a group being studied, from which random samples may be drawn

Question 13

Correlation

Answer 13

a measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor (variable) predicts the other

Question 14

Correlation coefficient

Answer 14

a statistical index of the direction and strength of the relationship between two things (from −1.00 to +1.00)

Question 15

Variable

Answer 15

anything that can vary and is practical and ethical to measure

Question 16

Scatterplot

Answer 16

a graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables

Question 17

Illusory correlation

Answer 17

perceiving a relationship where none exists, or perceiving a stronger-than-actual relationship

Question 18

Regression toward the mean

Answer 18

the tendency for extreme or unusual scores or events to fall back (regress) toward the average

Question 19

Experiment

Answer 19

a research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more variables (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable)

Question 20

Experimental group

Answer 20

in an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable

Question 21

Control group

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Random assignment

Answer 22

assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the different groups

Question 23

Double-blind procedure

Answer 23

an experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are uninformed (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo

Question 24

Placebo effect

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Independent variables

Answer 25

in an experiment, the variable that is MANIPULATED; the variable whose effect is being studied (X-AXIS)

Question 26

Confounding variable

Answer 26

in an experiment, a variable other than the variable being studied that might influence a study’s results

Question 27

Dependent variable

Answer 27

in an experiment, the variable that is measured; the variable that may CHANGE

Question 28

Informed consent

Answer 28

giving potential participants enough information about a study to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate

Question 29

Debrief

Answer 29

the post experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants