Unit 2: Research Methods

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Hindsight Bias

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Critical Thinking

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Theory

Question 4

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.

Answer 4

Hypothesis

Question 5

A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures (operations) used in a research study. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures.

Answer 5

Operational Definition

Question 6

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances.

Answer 6

Replication

Question 7

A descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Answer 7

Case Study

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Naturalistic Observation

Question 9

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

Answer 9

Survey

Question 10

A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample.

Answer 10

Sampling Bias

Question 11

All those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn.

Answer 11

Population

Question 12

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.

Answer 12

Random Sample

Question 13

A measure of the extent to which two variables change together, and thus of how well either variable predicts the other.

Answer 13

Correlation

Question 14

A statistical index of the relationship between two variables.

Answer 14

Correlation Coefficient

Question 15

A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables.

Answer 15

Scatterplot

Question 16

The perception of a relationship where none exists.

Answer 16

Illusory Correlation

Question 17

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

Answer 17

Experiment

Question 18

In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, one version of the independent variable.

Answer 18

Experimental Group

Question 19

In an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment.

Answer 19

Control Group

Question 20

Assigning participants to experimental and controls groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the different groups.

Answer 20

Random Assignment

Question 21

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 a placebo.

Answer 21

Double-Blind Procedure

Question 22

Experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which recipient assumes is an active agent.

Answer 22

Placebo Effect

Question 23

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.

Answer 23

Independent Variable

Question 24

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

Answer 24

Confounding Variable

Question 25

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

Answer 25

Dependent Variable

Question 26

The extent to which a test or experiment measures or predicts what it is supposed to.

Answer 26

Validity

Question 27

Numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups. Includes measures of central tendency and measures of variation.

Answer 27

Descriptive Statistics

Question 28

A bar graph depicting a frequency distribution.

Answer 28

Histogram

Question 29

The most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution.

Answer 29

Mode

Question 30

The arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores.

Answer 30

Mean

Question 31

The middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it.

Answer 31

Median

Question 32

A representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value.

Answer 32

Skewed Distribution

Question 33

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution.

Answer 33

Range

Question 34

A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score.

Answer 34

Standard Deviation

Question 35

A symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean and fewer and fewer near the extremes.

Answer 35

Normal Curve

Question 36

Numerical data that allow one to generalize - to infer from sample data the probability of something being true of a population.

Answer 36

Inferential Statistics

Question 37

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

Answer 37

Statistical Significance

Question 38

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.

Answer 38

Culture

Question 39

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

Answer 39

Informed Consent

Question 40

The post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants.

Answer 40

Debriefing