Scientific Method Flashcards
Continuous
A variable that can be measures on a numerical scale
Categorical
Discrete categories, not continuous
Independent
“the one you change”
Dependent
“the one you measure”
Confounding
“Extra” variables that may influence your independent and dependent variables, confounding the effect of the independent variable
Observational Study
surveys/measures test subjects or samples without trying to affect them
Controlled Experiment
One groups is a control group and the other receives treatments that manipulate the independent variable
Confirmation Bias
The tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one’s prior beliefs or values
Observer Bias
A systematic variation between the true value and the value observed by the observer
Sampling Bias
When research samples over-represent or under-represent certain groups
Publishing Bias
Studies with negative findings are less likely to be submitted and/or published in scientific journals