Unit 2: Research Methods Flashcards
Hindsight Bias
the tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it
Over confidence
we tend to think we know more than we do. Combined with hindsight bias, we often overestimate our intuition.
Scientific attitude
curiosity + skepticism + humility
Critical thinking
thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence and assesses conclusions
Theory
an explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events
hypothesis
a testable prediction, often implied by a theory
Operational definitions
statements of the procedures (operations) used to define research variables.
Replicate
repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations
Case study
an observational technique in which one person is studied in depth, in the hope of revealing universal principles
Survey
a technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviours of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative random sample of the group,
Naturalistic observation
observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation
Population
all the cases in a group being studied
Random Sampling
a sample where each member has a chance at being selected
Correlation
a measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factors predicts the other
Correlation coefficient
a statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)
Scatter plots
a graphed cluster of dots, each of which represent the values of two variables
Illusory correlation
the perception of a relationship where none exists
Experiment
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)
Random Assignment
assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups.
Double-blind procedure
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
The placebo effect
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
Experimental group
in an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment ( to one version of the independent variable )
Control group
in an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment ( serves as a comparison for evaluating the effort of the treatment )
Independent variable
the experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable where effect is being studied
Confounding variables
a factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment
Dependent variable
the outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable
Descriptive method
to observe and record behavior through case studies, surveys or naturalistic observations. They can be done quickly and inexpensively, but single cases can mislead.
Experimental method
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.
Mean
the arithmetic average of a distirbution
Median
the middle score in a distribution
Mode
the most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution
Skewed distribution
when a distribution is lopsided
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
also called normal distribution
an asymmetrical, bell shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data
How much is one standard deviation
34%
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 be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate
Debriefing
the post experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants
