Research Methods

Question 1

Scientific

Answer 1

Psychologists are empiricists, meaning they base beliefs on systematic, objective observation of the world.

Question 2

Scientific Method

Answer 2

Basing one’s confidence in an idea on systematic,
direct observations of the world.

Question 3

Theory Data Cycle

Answer 3

The process of the scientific method, in
which scientists collect data that can either
confirm or disconfirm a theory.

Question 4

Theory

Answer 4

A set of propositions explaining how and why people act, think, or feel.

Question 5

Hypothesis

Answer 5

A specific prediction stating what will happen in a study if the theory is correct.

Question 6

Data

Answer 6

A set of empirical observations that scientists have gathered.

Question 7

Replication

Answer 7

When a study is conducted more than once on a new sample of participants, and obtains the same basic results.

Question 8

Journal

Answer 8

A periodical containing peer-reviewed articles on a specific academic discipline, written for a scholarly audience.

Question 9

Variables

Answer 9

Something of interest that varies from person
to person, or situation to situation. Must have at least two “levels” (can be continuous).

Question 10

Measured Variable

Answer 10

A variable whose values are simply recorded. At least one in every study.

Question 11

Manipulated Variables

Answer 11

A variable whose values the researcher controls. Assign different participants to different
levels of that variable.

Question 12

Operational

Answer 12

The specific way of measuring or manipulating an
abstract variable in a particular study.

Question 13

Descriptive Research

Answer 13

A type of study in which researchers measure one variable at a time. This research Results in a frequency, Frequently in the news, and Typically involves self-report.

Question 14

Sample

Answer 14

People who participated in research; Belong to the population of interest.

Question 15

Population of Interest

Answer 15

Full group of people the researcher is trying to understand,

Question 16

Random Sampling

Answer 16

Involves selecting people to serve in
your sample without bias.

Question 17

Observational Research

Answer 17

Psychologists measure their variable of interest by observing and recording what people (or animals) are doing. Can be naturalistic.

Question 18

Case Study

Answer 18

Researchers study one or two individuals in
depth, often those who have a unique
condition.

Question 19

Correlation Research

Answer 19

A type of study that measures two (or more)
variables in the same sample of people, and then observes the relationship between them.

Question 20

Positive Correlation

Answer 20

As one value of a variable increases or decreases,
so does the value of the other variable.

Question 21

Negative Correlation

Answer 21

As the value of one variable decreases or increases,
the value of the other variable does the opposite.

Question 22

Strength of Correlation

Answer 22

Dots distance from the line.

Question 23

No Correlation

Answer 23

No pattern.

Question 24

Correlation is not Causation

Answer 24

Two variables must be correlate.
One variable must precede the other.
There must be no reasonable alternative explanations for the pattern of correlation

Question 25

Experimental Research

Answer 25

Manipulating a causal variable to observe its effect.

Question 26

Independent Variable

Answer 26

Manipulated variable in an experiment.

Question 27

Dependent Variable

Answer 27

Measured variable in an experiment.

Question 28

Control

Answer 28

Experiments reduce the third-variable problems

Question 29

Random Assignment

Answer 29

A random method is used to decide which
participants will receive each level of the independent variable. An essential element of an experiment.

Question 30

Experimental(or treatment) group

Answer 30

In an experiment, a group or condition in which some proposed cause is present.

Question 31

Control(or comparison) group

Answer 31

In an experiment, a group or condition in which some proposed cause is not present.

Question 32

Placebo Condition

Answer 32

In an experiment, a group or condition in which people expect to receive a treatment but are exposed to only an inert version, such as a sugar pill.