Research Methods

Question 1

Reinforcement

Answer 1

In operant conditioning, any event that strengthens the behaviour it follows.

Question 2

Variables

Answer 2

Used in experiments to determine if changes to one thing results in changes to another. It is something that can be varied or changes, such as a characteristic or value.

Question 3

Control group

Answer 3

In an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.

Question 4

Dependent variable

Answer 4

The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.

Question 5

Experimental group

Answer 5

In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.

Question 6

Independent variable

Answer 6

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.

Question 7

Hindsight bias

Answer 7

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it. ( also known as the I-Knew-it-all-along phenomenon.)

Question 8

Critical thinking

Answer 8

Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, access the source, discerns hidden values, evaluated evidence, and assesses conclusions.

Question 9

Theory

Answer 9

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviours or events.

Question 10

Hypothesis

Answer 10

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.

Question 11

Operational definition

Answer 11

A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures (operations) used in a research study. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures.

Question 12

Case study

Answer 12

A descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Question 13

Replication

Answer 13

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances.

Question 14

Naturalistic observation

Answer 14

Observing and recording behaviour in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.

Question 15

Survey

Answer 15

A technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviours of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group.

Question 16

Mean

Answer 16

The arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores.

Question 17

Skewed distribution

Answer 17

A representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value.

Question 18

Standard deviation

Answer 18

A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score.

Question 19

Inferential statistics

Answer 19

Numerical data that allow one to generalize- to infer from sample data the probability of something being true of a population.

Question 20

Culture

Answer 20

The enduring behaviours, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.

Question 21

Debriefing

Answer 21

The post experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants.

Question 22

Norm group

Answer 22

The sample of test-takers who are representative of the population for whom the test is intended.

Question 23

Sample bias

Answer 23

A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample.

Question 24

Population

Answer 24

All those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn.

Question 25

Random sample

Answer 25

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.

Question 26

Correlation

Answer 26

A measure of the extent to which two variables change together, and thus of how well either variable predicts the other.

Question 27

Correlation coefficient

Answer 27

A statistical index of the relationship between two variables (from -1 to +1).

Question 28

Scatterplot

Answer 28

A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation (little scatter indicates high correlation).

Question 29

Illusory correlation

Answer 29

The perception of a relationship where none exists.

Question 30

Experiment

Answer 30

A research method in which an investigator manipulated one or more factors (independent variable) to observe the factor on some behaviour or mental process (the dependent variable). By random assignment of participants, the experiment aims to control other relevant variables.

Question 31

Confounding variable

Answer 31

A factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.

Question 32

Random assignment

Answer 32

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the different groups.

Question 33

Double blind procedure

Answer 33

An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in a drug-evaluation studies.

Question 34

Placebo

Answer 34

Effect experimental results caused the expectations alone; any effect on behaviour results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behaviour caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumed is an active agent.

Question 35

Validity

Answer 35

The extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to.

Question 36

Descriptive statistics mode

Answer 36

Numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups. Includes measures of central tendency and measures of variation.

Question 37

Range

Answer 37

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution.

Question 38

Normal curve

Answer 38

(Normal distribution) a symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes that distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean (about 68 percent fall within one standard deviation of it) and fewer and fewer near the extremes.

Question 39

Statistical significance

Answer 39

A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance.

Question 40

Informed consent

Answer 40

An ethical principle that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate.