Skill Terms Flashcards
Experimental methodologies
involves the use of independent variable(s) and random assignment to groups
Non-experimental methodologies
includes case study, correlation, meta-analysis, and naturalistic observations
case study
a non-experimental technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles
correlation
a measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other
meta-analysis
a statistical procedure for analyzing the results of multiple studies to reach an overall conclusion
naturalistic observation
a non-experimental technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation
hypothesis
a testable prediction, often implied by a theory
operational definitions
a carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study
replication
repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding can be reproduced
independent variable(s)
in an experiment, the factor that is manipulated; the variable that is being studied
dependent variable(s)
in an experiment, the outcome that is measured; the variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated
confounding variable(s)
in an experiment, a factor other than the factor being studied that might influence a study’s results
sample
a subset of a population of interest that is selected for study with the aim of making inferences to the population. It is important to ensure that a sample is representative of the larger population
population
all those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn
representative sample
the selection of study units (e.g., participants, homes, schools) from a larger group (population) in an unbiased way, such that the sample obtained accurately reflects the total population
random sampling
a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion
convenience sampling
any process for selecting a sample of individuals or cases that is neither random nor systematic but rather is governed by chance or ready availability
sampling bias
a flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample
generalization
the process of deriving a concept, judgment, principle, or theory from a limited number of specific cases and applying it more widely, often to an entire class of objects, events, or people
experimental group
in an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable
control group
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
placebo
results caused by expectations alone
single blind procedure
an experimental procedure in which the research participants are ignorant about whether they have received the treatment or a placebo
double blind procedures
an experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo
confounding variables
in an experiment, a factor other than the factor being studied that might influence a study’s results
qualitative measures
a research method that relies on in-depth, narrative data that are not translated into numbers
quantitative measures
a research method that relies on quantifiable, numerical data
peer review
the evaluation of scientific or academic work, such as research or articles submitted to journals for publication, by other qualified professionals practicing in the same field
variables
anything that can vary and is feasible and ethical to measure
correlational study
a measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other
survey
a non experimental technique for obtaining the self reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group
self report bias
bias when people report their behavior inaccurately
social desirability bias
bias from people’s responding in ways they presume a researcher expects or wishes
ethical procedures
Informed consent, confidentiality, right to withdraw, no deception or if used must be debriefed, protection from harm or discomfort
institutional review boards
a committee named by an agency or institution to review research proposals originating within that agency for ethical acceptability and compliance with the organization’s codes of conduct. IRBs help protect research participants and are mandatory at any U.S. institution receiving federal funds for research.
informed consent
giving potential participants enough information about a study to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate
protect participants from harm
ensures the safety and well-being of people involved in psychological research or interventions
confidentiality
protection is given to research participants and survey respondents against unauthorized access to information they reveal in confidence
deception
any distortion of or withholding of fact with the purpose of misleading others
confederates
in an experimental situation, an aide of the experimenter who poses as a participant but whose behavior is rehearsed prior to the experiment
debriefing
the postexperimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants
measures of central tendency
a summary measure that attempts to describe a whole set of data with a single value that represents the middle or centre of its distribution
variation
the degree of variance or dispersion of values that is obtained for a specific variable
mean
the arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores
median
the middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it
mode
the most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution
range
the difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution
standard deviation
a computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score
normal curve
a symmetrical, bell shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean and fewer and fewer scores lie near the extremes
skewness
a representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value
regression toward the mean
the tendency for extreme or unusual scores or events to fall back toward the average
scatterplot
A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation
correlation coefficient
a statistical index of the relationship between two things
statistical significance
a statistical statement of how likely it is that a result occurred by chance, assuming there is no difference between the populations being studied
