Unit 2 Research Methods Flashcards
Hindsight Bias
The tendency to think that we knew it all along after the fact. Seems obvious.
Critical Thinking
Thought revolved around analyzing facts and evidence to come to a conclusion.
Theory
A well-backed up explanation grounded in evidence, hypotheses , and facts
Hypothesis
An idea that can be tested with experiments that help explain the natural world
Operational Definition
The operations or procedures a scientist uses to observe or measure something.
Replication
Copying an experiment to further prove its results accuracy
Case Study
A case study is a detailed study of a single individual, family, event, or other entity. It gathers multiple types of data and is done to get a grasp of an individual’s behavior, background, and relationships. However the information from a case study tends to be generalized.
Survey
Study in which a group of participants are selected from the targeted population to give information or opinions on a certain topic. This information is collected then analyzed to infer about that targeted population
Population
A theoretically complete group of people, animals, or institutions that are used to obtain samples of information from which is able to generalize about the population.
Random Sampling
Choosing subjects for an experiment from a population with an equal chance of everyone being able to participate.
Naturalistic Observation
The process of collecting data outside of a lab and without the ability to manipulate variables and without being able to test controls. Testing participants in their natural environment
Correlation
Relationship between two variables. Measured by correlation coefficient
Correlation Coefficient
A numerical value indicating the relationship between two variables.
+1 meaning positive. 1 goes up the other goes up.
0 meaning no correlation.
-1 meaning negative. 1 goes down the other goes up.
Scatterplot
A graph where every data point in placed on the graph individual with nothing connecting any of them
Illusory Correlation
The appearance of a correlation between two variables or events. An overestimation of the degree of correlation
Experiment
A series of observations conducted under a controlled environment with the purpose of drawing casual inferences about that relationship
Random Assignment
The assignment of participants to certain conditions in a experiment where they all have an equal chance of being selected to a condition
Double Blind Procedure
A procedure in which the participant and the experimenters are completely unaware of the conditions being tested in an experiment. While the Data analysts are aware of what is being tested.
Placebo Effect
A clinically significant reaction from an inert substance derived from the patient’s expectations of the treatment.
Experimental Group
The group being tested and administered different levels of the IV
Control Group
A comparison group that received no intervention or no IV. This is used to compare how much the IV affected the Experimental Group
Independent Variable
The variable in the experiment that is intentionally manipulated
Confounding Variable
It is a variable that influences both the independent and dependent variable and its degree of correlation cannot be measured. Not desirable
Dependent Variable
The outcome that is observed as a result of manipulating the Independent variable
Mode
The most frequently occurring value in the data set
Mean
Average
Median
The data point that is the middle
Range
The difference between the greatest data point and the lowest data point
Standard Deviation
A measure of the variability of the data set. How much they points deviate from the mean. Z Scores
Normal Curve
The Bell curve. The normal distribution of a data set.
Statistical Significance
The probability that one’s research outcome did not occur by chance
Culture
The characteristics and behaviors of a particular group. ie - profession, social class, or age group.
Informed Consent
A voluntary agreement from the participant of an experiment that states that they are aware of the potential risks, benefits, and alternatives of an experiment.
Debriefing
The process of giving the participant a more full explanation of the process of the experiment that was not possible prior to the experiment.
