Unit 1: Research Methods Flashcards
a descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles
case study
a factor other than the factor being studied that might influence a study’s results
confounding variable
in an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment
control group
a measure of the extent to which 2 factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other
correlation
a statistical index of the relationship between 2 things (from -1.00 to +1.00)
correlation coefficient
the postexperimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants
debriefing
in an experiment, the outcome that is measured
dependent variable
numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups; includes measure of central tendency and measure of variation
descriptive statistics
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
double-blind procedure
a research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process
experiment
in an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable
experimental group
the tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it
hindsight bias
a bar graph depicting a frequency distribution
histogram
a testable prediction, often implied by a theory
hypothesis
perceiving a relationship where none exists, or perceiving a stronger-than-actual relationship
illusory correlation
in an experiment, the factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied
independent variable
numerical data that allow one to generalize–to infer from sample data the probability of something being true of a population
inferential statistics
giving potential participants enough info about a study to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate
informed consent
the arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores
mean
the middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it
median
the most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution
mode
a descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate or control the situation
naturalistic observation
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
normal curve
a carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study
operational definition
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
placebo effect
all those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn
population
assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the different groups
random assignment
a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion
random sample
the difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution
range
the tendency for extreme or unusual scores or events to fall back toward the average
regression toward the mean
repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding can be reproduced
replication
a flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample
sampling bias
a graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of 2 variables; the slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the 2 variables; the amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation
scatterplot
a representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value
skewed distribution
a computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score
standard deviation
a statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance
statistical significance
a descriptive technique for obtaining the self-imported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group
survey
an explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events
theory
the extent to which a test or experiment measures or predicts what it is supposed to
validity
anything that can vary and is feasible and ethical to measure
variable
