Research Methods Standard 2

Question 1

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

Answer 1

dependent variable

Question 2

a statement of the procedures (operations) used to define research variables. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures.

Answer 2

operational definition

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Replication

Question 4

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

Answer 4

independent variable

Question 5

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

Answer 5

confounding variable

Question 6

A variable that is kept constant during a controlled experiment.

Answer 6

control variable

Question 7

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

Answer 7

population

Question 8

the study of the naturally occurring relationships among variables

Answer 8

correlational research

Question 9

A problem that occurs when a sample is not representative of the population from which it is drawn.

Answer 9

sampling bias

Question 10

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

Answer 10

random sample

Question 11

assigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups

Answer 11

random assignment

Question 12

refers to how sample members (study participants) are selected from the population for inclusion in the study

Answer 12

random selection

Question 13

the group that does not receive the experimental treatment.

Answer 13

control group

Question 14

the group in an experiment that receives the variable being tested

Answer 14

experimental group

Question 15

an experimental procedure in which both 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 drug-evaluation studies.

Answer 15

double-blind procedure

Question 16

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

Answer 16

placebo effect