Unit 1.3 & 1.4 Flashcards
Dependent Variable
variable that is measured after the manipulation of the independent variable
Experimental Hypothesis
predicts relationship b/w independent and dependent variable
-what we expect will come out of the manipulation of the independent variable
Null Hypothsis
states that independent variable will have no effect on dependent variable, or that any change in the independent variable will be due to chance
Independent Variable
variable that causes a change in the other variable
-researcher deliberately manipulates this variable
Laboratory Experiments
experiment conducted under highly controlled conditions
Field Experiment
experiment takes place in a natural environment, but researchers still manipulate variables
Natural Experiment
experiment where researchers have no control over variables
-they are naturally occurring
Confounding Variables
undesirable variables that influence the relationship between the independent & dependent variables
Demand Characteristics
when the participants act differently simply b/c they know that they are in an experiment.
-may also try to guess aim of study (known as Hawthorne effect)
Researcher bias
observer bias: when the experimenter sees what he or she is looking for
-expectations of the researcher consciously or unconsciously affect the findings of the study
Participant variability
when the characteristics of the sample affect the dependent variable
Positive correlation
when both variables are affected in the same way
-as x increases, y increases
Negative correlation
as one variable increases, the other decreases
Deductive Approach
a hypothesis that is tested against empirical evidence so that it is either accepted or rejected
Inductive Approach
when the variables are not defined in advance, but the researcher first gathers data and sees what it could mean