Unit 2 Research Methods Flashcards
The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it
Hindsight bias
Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions
Critical thinking
An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events
Theory
A testable prediction, often implied by a theory
Hypothesis
A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study
Operational definition
Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in discrete terms situations
Replication
A descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles
Case study
Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation
Naturalistic observation
A technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group
Survey
A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample
Sampling bias
All those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn
Population
A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion
Random sample
A measure of the extent to which two variables change together, and thus of how well either variable predicts the other
Correlation
A statistical index of he relationship between two variables
Correlation coefficient
A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables.
Scatter plot
The perception of a relationship where none exists
Illusory correlation
A research method In which an investigator manipulates one or more factors to observers the effect on some behavior or mental process
Experiment
In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable
Experimental group
Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the different groups
Random assignment
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
Double-blind procedure
Effect 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
Placebo effect
The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable who’s effect is being studied
Independent variable
A factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment
Confounding variable
The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable
Dependent variable
The extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to
Validity
Numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups
Descriptive statistics
The most frequently occurring score in a distribution
Mode
The arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores
Mean
The middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it
Median
A representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value
Skewed distribution
The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution
Range
A compotes measure of how much scores vary around the mean score
Standard deviation
A symmetrical, bell shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean
Normal curve
Numerical data that allow one to generalize to infer from sample data the probability of something being true of a population
Inferential statistics
A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance
Statistical significance
The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next
Culture
An ethical principle that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate
Informed consent
The post experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants
Debriefing
