Psychological Research Flashcards
the scientific method
What is a dependent variable (DV)?
Measures the effects of the IV.
What is an independent variable (IV)?
The conditions that are manipulated to measure their effects on the dependent variable.
Define ‘population’ in research.
The entire group of the researcher’s interest from which the sample is taken.
Define ‘sample’ in research.
A smaller group of participants selected for the research from the larger population.
What does the PIDD checklist for hypotheses stand for?
Population, Independent Variable, Dependent Variable, Direction.
What is the experimental group?
The group affected by the IV.
What is the control group?
The group not affected by the IV, used as a comparison.
What is an extraneous variable?
Variables other than the IV that might affect the DV.
What is a confounding variable?
Variables other than the IV that have changed the DV.
What are individual participant differences?
The unique combination of personal characteristics, abilities, and backgrounds each participant brings to an experiment.
What are non-standardised instructions?
When research procedures (including instructions) are not the same for all participants.
What is the placebo effect?
A change in participants’ behaviour due to their belief that they are receiving some kind of experimental treatment and responding accordingly.
What is reliability?
Results should be consistent, dependable, and stable.
What is validity?
The extent to which the experiment measures what it is intended to measure.
What is internal validity?
The extent to which the IV caused the change in the DV, not extraneous variables.