research and methods Flashcards
experiments
random selection of subjects, manipulation of IV, can draw cause and effect conclusions
ex post facto (correlation)
use of experimental design without random assignment to groups because IV has already occurred
field research
study subjects behaving in their natural surroundings. can manipulate IV and measure DV
observation
subjects are observed in a defined environment, behavior is rated
survey
written or oral questions given to measure attitudes, opinions, motives, or preferences - random selection of subjects
interview
in-depth questioning of individuals or small groups
case study
detailed profile of an individual derived from several sources (not including family, school, individual)
hindsight bias
Upon hearing research findings, the tendency to believe that you knew it all along
applied research
Has clear, practical applications
hypothesis
Expresses a relationship between two variables
variables
The dependent variable depends on the independent variable
theory
to explain a phenomenon - Allows researchers to generate testable hypotheses with the hope of collecting data that support the theory
Operational Definitions
Explanations of how variables will be measured
Validity and Reliability
-it measures what the researcher set out to measure
-it is accurate
-reliability, replicated
Random Selection
-Every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected
-Increases the likelihood of a representative sample
-Allows researchers to generalize about their results
Stratified Sampling
Allows a researcher to ensure that the sample represents the population on some criteria (ex. race)
confounding variables
Any difference between the experimental and control conditions that could affect the dependent variable
random assignment
Each participant has an equal chance of being placed into any group
Group Matching
Divide the sample into groups based on some criterion and assign half of each group to each condition
Situation-Relevant Confounding Variable
time of day, weather, presence of others
Experimenter Bias
A situation-relevant confounding variable
Double-Blind Procedure
Neither the participants nor the researcher are able to affect the outcome of the research
Single Blind
Only the subjects don’t know to which group they’ve been assigned
Hawthorne Effect
Selecting a group of people on whom to experiment affects the performance of that group, regardless of what is done to them
Placebo Effect
giving the control group an inert drug
Counterbalancing
Using participants as their own control group
positive correlation
causation
negative correlation
no causation
