Unit 1: Research Methods

Question 1

a descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

Answer 1

case study

Question 2

a factor other than the factor being studied that might influence a study’s results

Answer 2

confounding variable

Question 3

in an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment

Answer 3

control group

Question 4

a measure of the extent to which 2 factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other

Answer 4

correlation

Question 5

a statistical index of the relationship between 2 things (from -1.00 to +1.00)

Answer 5

correlation coefficient

Question 6

the postexperimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants

Answer 6

debriefing

Question 7

in an experiment, the outcome that is measured

Answer 7

dependent variable

Question 8

numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups; includes measure of central tendency and measure of variation

Answer 8

descriptive statistics

Question 9

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

Answer 9

double-blind procedure

Question 10

a research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process

Answer 10

experiment

Question 11

in an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable

Answer 11

experimental group

Question 12

the tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it

Answer 12

hindsight bias

Question 13

a bar graph depicting a frequency distribution

Answer 13

histogram

Question 14

a testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Answer 14

hypothesis

Question 15

perceiving a relationship where none exists, or perceiving a stronger-than-actual relationship

Answer 15

illusory correlation

Question 16

in an experiment, the factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied

Answer 16

independent variable

Question 17

numerical data that allow one to generalize–to infer from sample data the probability of something being true of a population

Answer 17

inferential statistics

Question 18

giving potential participants enough info about a study to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate

Answer 18

informed consent

Question 19

the arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores

Answer 19

mean

Question 20

the middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it

Answer 20

median

Question 21

the most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution

Answer 21

mode

Question 22

a descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate or control the situation

Answer 22

naturalistic observation

Question 23

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

Answer 23

normal curve

Question 24

a carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study

Answer 24

operational definition

Question 25

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

Answer 25

placebo effect

Question 26

all those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn

Answer 26

population

Question 27

assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the different groups

Answer 27

random assignment

Question 28

a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

Answer 28

random sample

Question 29

the difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution

Answer 29

range

Question 30

the tendency for extreme or unusual scores or events to fall back toward the average

Answer 30

regression toward the mean

Question 31

repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding can be reproduced

Answer 31

replication

Question 32

a flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample

Answer 32

sampling bias

Question 33

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

Answer 33

scatterplot

Question 34

a representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value

Answer 34

skewed distribution

Question 35

a computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score

Answer 35

standard deviation

Question 36

a statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance

Answer 36

statistical significance

Question 37

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

Answer 37

survey

Question 38

an explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events

Answer 38

theory

Question 39

the extent to which a test or experiment measures or predicts what it is supposed to

Answer 39

validity

Question 40

anything that can vary and is feasible and ethical to measure

Answer 40

variable