Scientific Approach Flashcards

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1
Q

Causal Inference

A

Conclusion that a variable or an event influences/changes another variable or event.

Ex.) Fleming’s penicillin experiments

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2
Q

Causal Criteria

A
  • Correlation (Cause -> Effect)
  • Time sequence (Cause happens before effect)
  • All other explanations ruled out based on other factors.

ex.)

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3
Q

Correlation

A

Observed relationship of two variables measured for the same individuals; one variable explains (x) or predicts an outcome of the second variable (y).

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4
Q

Correlation Coefficient

A

Between or equal to 1 and -1, denoted by “r.”

Indicates the magnitude of how accurately two variables are to each other, with 1/-1 being perfect +/- associations, and 0 being no association at all.

Ex.) Job satisfaction and supervisor’s rating of performance, r= +/- .3

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5
Q

External validity

A

Generality of research, i.e. can it be applied across contexts, in different populations, etc.

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6
Q

Field Study

A

Empirical data-collection in a natural setting using only measurement - no manipulated variables, yielding only correlation and no basis for causal inference.

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7
Q

Mediating Variable

A

Factor that conveys the influence of one variable to another in a sequential process.

Ex.) Role conflict and job performance - Stress from role conflict degrades job performance.

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8
Q

Moderator Variable

A

Factor that defines conditions under which the relationship of 2/more other variables differs.

Ex.) Relationship of job satisfaction and quitting varies with the availability of jobs.

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9
Q

Meta-Analysis

A

Statistical summary of accumulated scientific knowledge and on specific hypotheses from multiple, published studies that tested them.

ex.) Rosenthal - 346 studies of teachers’ self-fulfilling prophecies of their students.

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10
Q

Quasi-Experiment

A

Empirical study in a natural setting intended to support causal inference concerning the effects of >/= 1 interventions on >/= 1 variables in 1/more intact groups., no randomization of groups, incorporating repeated measurements and/or multiple comparison groups and/or interventions.

ex.)

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11
Q

Operational Definition

A

Specific procedure used to measure or manipulate a variable under study.

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12
Q

Randomized Experiment

A

Empirical investigation intended to find causal inference, incorporating:

  • An independent (x) variable defining 2/more groups or conditions.
  • Control procedures to make the conditions otherwise comparable, like holding some (extraneous) factors constant.
  • Random assignment of each participant or unit to one condition.
  • Measuring the dependent (y) variable afterwards.

ex.) Matsui et al. (1981) study of goal-setting in in number comaparison task.

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13
Q

Sample

A

Deliberately selected subset of a population intended as a representative of the whole population.

ex.)

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14
Q

Statistical Significance

A

In empirical research, when an observed difference between groups or relationship between variables is unlikely to be random.

p

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15
Q

Self-Report Measure

A

Procedure for assessing a variable through answers to questions posed to people via interview or questionnaire, relying on their recollections or judgements.

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16
Q

Theory

A

Interrelated propositions about the causes of a phenomenon identifying its key variables and their relationships.

ex.)

17
Q

Variable

A

Property or characteristic that can take 2/more values. Can be categorical or quantitative.

ex.)

18
Q

Interaction (among variables)

A

In research involving 3 or more variables, a difference in the relationship of two variables as a function of values of the third variable.