psy chapter 2 Flashcards
Scientific Method
the process scientists use to conduct research, which includes a continuing cycle of exploration, critical thinking, and systematic observation
what does the scientific method help do?
minimize errors in human thinking
experiment
a controlled procedure involving scientific observations and/or manipulations by the researcher to influence participants’ thinking, emotions, or behaviors
What are the five steps of the scientific method?
- Develop a question
- Develop a hypothesis
- Design study and collect data
- Analyze the data
- share the findings
operational definition
the precise manner in which a variable of interest is defined and measured
Variables
measurable characteristics that can vary over time or across individuals
population
all members of an identified group about which a researcher is interested
sample
a subset of a population chosen for inclusion in an experiment
random sample
A subsection of a population chosen through a procedure that ensures all members of the population have an equal chance of being selected to participate in the study
representative sample
a group of people with characteristics similar of the population of interest
descriptive research
a type of investigation psychologist use to explore phenomenon
what is a strength to descriptive research?
useful for studying new or unexplored topics
what is a limitation in descriptive research?
cannot reveal cause and effect relationship
what are some types of descriptive research?
- naturalistic observation
- case study
- survey method
naturalistic observation
a type of descriptive research that studies participants in their natural environment through systematic observation
case study
a detailed examination of individual or small group
what is the goal of a case study?
provide a wealth of information from a variety of resources
what is a strength of a case study?
helpful for studying rare or understudied events
what is a limitation of a case study?
cannot provide definitive support for a hypothesis
correlation method
type of research examining relationships among variables
Correlation
An association or relationship between two (or more) variables.
positive correlation
both variables move in the same direction
negative correlation
variables move in opposite directions
correlation coefficient
a statistical measure that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables
what cannot be determined with correlations?
directionality
third variable
some unaccounted for characteristic of the participants or their environment that explains the changes in the two other variables
experimental method
A type of research that manipulates a variable of interest (independent variable) to uncover cause-and-effect relationships.
random assignment
the process of appointing study participants to experimental or control groups, ensuring that every person has an equal chance of being assigned to either
experimental group
the participants in an experiment who are exposed to the treatment variable or manipulation by the researcher; represent the treatment group
control group
the participants in an experiment who are not exposed to the treatment variable; this is the comparison group
independent variable
in the experimental method, the variable manipulated by the researcher to determine its effect on the dependent variable. may be more than one in an experiment
dependent variable
in the experimental method, the characteristic or response that is measured to determine the effect of the researchers manipulation
extraneous variable
a characteristic of participants or the environment that could unexpectedly influence the outcome of a study
cofounding variable
A type of extraneous variable that changes in sync with the independent variable, making it difficult to discern which one is causing changes in the dependent variable.
double-blind
a type of study in which neither the participants nor the researchers administering the independent variable knows which participants is receiving the treatment and which is getting the placebo
placebo
an inert substance given to members of the control group
experimenter bias
researcher expectations that influence the outcome of the study
Reliability
the consistency or stability of a measure
Validity
the degree of accuracy of data collection methods; assessments measure what they intend to measure
