Unit 0- Research Methods Flashcards
Replication
Repeating the essence of a research study.usually with different participants in in different situations to see whether the basic findings extend to different participants and circumstances.
Dependent Variable
The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable. It is the thing being measured.
Operational Definition
Statement of the procedures (operations) used to define research variables. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures
Population
All the cases in a group being studied, from school samples may be drawn
Random Sample
A sample that fairly represents a population because each member had an equal chance of inclusion
Random Assignment
Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups
Experimental Group
In an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable
Control Group
In an experiment, the group that isn’t exposed to the treatment (independent variable); contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment
Confounding variables
Outside variables that can alter the result of the experiment.
Correlation Research
A study to show how closely two things vary to each other.
Double-Blind Procedure
During an experiment where both the experimenter and participants are blind about if they receive a placebo or not. and the
Naturalistic Observation
Watches behavior and describes it. Does not seek to explain behavior.
Experimenter Bias
A process where the scientists performing the research influence the results, in order to portray a certain outcome.
Single-blind Procedure
An experiment where the experimenter knows what is the placebo and what isn’t but the participants do not.
Statistical Significance
A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance.
Informed Consent
An ethical principle that research participants must be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate.
Debriefing
The post-experimental explanation of a study; an ethical requirement.
Institutional Review Board
Committee designated to review, monitor, and approve behavioral research involving humans.
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 scores 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 or normal distribution
A symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean and fewer and fewer near the extremes.
Case Study
An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.
Placebo Effect
Experimental results caused by expectation alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent.