Unit 2- Research Methods (8-10%)

Question 1

Validity

Answer 1

Refers to how well a test measures what it is purported to measure.

Question 2

Case Study

Answer 2

An observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Question 3

Illusory Correlation

Answer 3

The perception of a relationship where none exists.

Question 4

Placebo Effect

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Scatterplot

Answer 5

A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation. (Little scatter indicates high correlation)

Question 6

Correlation Coefficient

Answer 6

A statistic index of the relationship between two things. (From -1 to +1). The closer the value is to 1, the stronger the correlation.

Question 7

Reliability

Answer 7

The degree to which an assessment tool produces stable and consistent results.

Question 8

Median

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Mode

Answer 9

The most frequently occurring scores in a distribution

Question 10

Range

Answer 10

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution

Question 11

Standard deviation

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Normal curve

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Mean

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Normal Distribution (Normal Curve)

Answer 14

A bell shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean (68% fall within one standard deviation of it, and fewer near the extremes).

Question 15

Inferential Statistics

Answer 15

Used to make generalizations from a sample population.

Question 16

Informed Consent

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Debriefing

Answer 17

The post-experimental explanation of a study.

Question 18

Institutional Review Board

Answer 18

Committee designated to review, monitor, and approve behavioral research involving humans.

Question 19

Statistical Significance

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Confounding variables

Answer 20

Outside variables that can alter the result of the experiment.

Question 21

Dependent Variable

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Scientific method

Answer 22

A self correcting recess for asking questions and observing natures answers

Question 23

Theory

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Replication

Answer 24

Repeating the essence of a research study.usually with different participants in in different situations to see whether the basic findings extend to different participants and circumstances.

Question 25

Operational Definition

Answer 25

Statement of the procedures (operations) used to define research variables. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures

Question 26

Population

Answer 26

All the cases in a group being studied, from school samples may be drawn

Question 27

Random Sample

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Random Assignment

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Experimental Group

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Control Group

Answer 30

In an experiment, the group that isn’t exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment

Question 31

Correlation Research

Answer 31

A study to show how closely two things vary to each other.

Question 32

Double-Blind Procedure

Answer 32

During an experiment where both the experimenter and participants are blind about if they receive a placebo or not. and the

Question 33

Survey

Answer 33

Used to estimate the behaviors of a whole population from a group of people.

Question 34

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 34

Watches behavior and describes it.

Question 35

Experimenter Bias

Answer 35

A process where the scientists performing the research influence the results, in order to portray a certain outcome.

Question 36

Single-blind Procedure

Answer 36

An experiment where the experimenter knows what is the placebo and what isn’t but the participants do not.

Question 37

Hindsight Bias

Answer 37

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

Question 38

Hypothesis

Answer 38

a testable prediction, often implied by a theory.

Question 39

Null hypothesis

Answer 39

a statistical hypothesis that is tested for possible rejection under the assumption that it is true (usually that observations are the result of chance).

Question 40

Independent variable

Answer 40

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