MODULE 5: Conducting Psychological Research

Question 1

—systematic inquiry aimed at the discovery of new knowledge
—is a central ingredient of the scientific method in psychology

Answer 1

Research

Question 2

existing data, such as census documents, college records, and newspaper clippings, are examined to test a hypothesis.

Answer 2

Archival research

Question 3

which an investigator simply observes some naturally occurring behavior and does not make a change in the situation.

Answer 3

Naturalistic observation

Question 4

a sample of people chosen to represent a larger pop- ulation are asked a series of questions about their behavior, thoughts, or attitudes.

Answer 4

Survey research

Question 5

is an in-depth, intensive inves- tigation of a single individual or a small group.

Answer 5

Case study

Question 6

Behaviors, events, or other characteristics that can change, or vary, in some way.

Answer 6

Variables

Question 7

Research in which the relationship between two sets of variables is examined to deter- mine whether they are associated, or “correlated.”

Answer 7

Correlational research

Question 8

indicates that as the value of one variable increases, we can predict that the value of the other variable will also increase.

Answer 8

Positive correlation

Question 9

tells us that as the value of one variable increases, the value of the other decreases.

Answer 9

Negative correlation

Question 9

The investigation of the relationship between two (or more) variables by deliberately producing a change in one variable in a situation and observing the effects of that change on other aspects of the situation.

Answer 9

Experiment

Question 10

The change that an experimenter deliberately produces in a situation.

Answer 10

Experimental manipulation

Question 11

The manipulation imple- mented by the experimenter.

Answer 11

Treatment

Question 12

Any group participating in an experiment that receives a treatment.

Answer 12

Experimental group

Question 13

A group participating in an experiment that receives no treatment.

Answer 13

Control group

Question 14

The variable that is manipulated by an experimenter.

Answer 14

Independent variable

Question 15

The variable that is measured in an experiment. It is expected to change as a result of the experimenter’s manipulation of the in- dependent variable.

Answer 15

Dependent variable

Question 16

A procedure in which participants are as- signed to different experimental groups or “conditions” on the basis of chance and chance alone.

Answer 16

Random assignment to condition

Question 17

Meaningful re- sults that make it possible for research- ers to feel confident that they have confirmed their hypotheses.

Answer 17

Significant outcome

Question 18

Researcher observes a previously existing situation but does not make a change in the situation.

Answer 18

Descriptive and correlational research

Question 19

Examines existing data to confirm hypothesis.

Answer 19

Archival research

Question 20

A sample is chosen to represent a larger population and asked a series of questions.

Answer 20

Survey research

Question 20

Observation of naturally occurring behavior, without making a change in the situation.

Answer 20

Naturalistic observation

Question 21

Intensive investigation of an individual or small group.

Answer 21

Case study

Question 22

Investigator produces a change in one variable to observe the effects of that change on other variables.

Answer 22

Experimental research

Question 23

Indicates that the findings are statistically meaningful, making it possible for researchers to feel confident that they have confirmed their hypotheses.

Answer 23

Significant outcome

Question 24

Research that is repeated, sometimes using other proce- dures, settings, and groups of partici- pants, to increase confidence in prior findings.

Answer 24

Replicated research