Unit 2: Research Methods

Question 1

Hindsight Bias

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Over confidence

Answer 2

we tend to think we know more than we do. Combined with hindsight bias, we often overestimate our intuition.

Question 3

Scientific attitude

Answer 3

curiosity + skepticism + humility

Question 4

Critical thinking

Answer 4

thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence and assesses conclusions

Question 5

Theory

Answer 5

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

Question 6

hypothesis

Answer 6

a testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Question 7

Operational definitions

Answer 7

statements of the procedures (operations) used to define research variables.

Question 8

Replicate

Answer 8

repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations

Question 9

Case study

Answer 9

an observational technique in which one person is studied in depth, in the hope of revealing universal principles

Question 10

Survey

Answer 10

a technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviours of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative random sample of the group,

Question 11

Naturalistic observation

Answer 11

observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

Question 12

Population

Answer 12

all the cases in a group being studied

Question 13

Random Sampling

Answer 13

a sample where each member has a chance at being selected

Question 14

Correlation

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Correlation coefficient

Answer 15

a statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)

Question 16

Scatter plots

Answer 16

a graphed cluster of dots, each of which represent the values of two variables

Question 17

Illusory correlation

Answer 17

the perception of a relationship where none exists

Question 18

Experiment

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Random Assignment

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Double-blind procedure

Answer 20

an experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or the placebo

Question 21

The placebo effect

Answer 21

experimental result 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

Question 22

Experimental group

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Control group

Answer 23

in an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment ( serves as a comparison for evaluating the effort of the treatment )

Question 24

Independent variable

Answer 24

the experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable where effect is being studied

Question 25

Confounding variables

Answer 25

a factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment

Question 26

Dependent variable

Answer 26

the outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable

Question 27

Descriptive method

Answer 27

to observe and record behavior through case studies, surveys or naturalistic observations. They can be done quickly and inexpensively, but single cases can mislead.

Question 28

Experimental method

Answer 28

to explore cause and effect by manipulating one or more factors. Sometimes the results may not generalize to other contexts, and it may not always be ethical.

Question 29

Mean

Answer 29

the arithmetic average of a distirbution

Question 30

Median

Answer 30

the middle score in a distribution

Question 31

Mode

Answer 31

the most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution

Question 32

Skewed distribution

Answer 32

when a distribution is lopsided

Question 33

Range

Answer 33

the difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution

Question 34

Standard deviation

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Normal curve

Answer 35

also called normal distribution
an asymmetrical, bell shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data

Question 36

How much is one standard deviation

Answer 36

34%

Question 37

Statistical significance

Answer 37

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

Question 38

Informed consent

Answer 38

an ethical principle that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate

Question 39

Debriefing

Answer 39

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