Unit 2- Research Methods And Statistics 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. Rather, it examines assumptions, assesses the source, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses 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 research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental processes (the dependent variable). By random assignment of participants, the experimenter aims to control other relevant variables
Experiment
Scientific study that aims to solve practical problems
Applied research
Pure science that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base
Basic research
The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied
Independent variable
The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable
Dependent variable
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
Operational definition
Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic findings extends to other participants and circumstances
Replication
In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable
Experimental group
A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample
Sampling bias
In an experiment, the group NOT exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment
Control group
The extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to
Validity
The extent to which a test yields consistent results, as assessed by the consistency of scores on two halves of the test, on alternate forms of the test, or on retesting
Reliability
A small part or quantity intended to show what the whole is like
Sample
All those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn
Population
A small quantity of something that accurately reflects the larger entity
Representative sample
A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion
Random sample
A sample that is drawn from a number of separate strata of the population, rather than at random from the whole population
Stratified sample
An experiment conducted under highly controlled conditions
Laboratory experiment
Applies the scientific method to experimentally examine an intervention in the real world (or as many experimentalists like to say, naturally occurring environments) rather than in the laboratory.
Field experiment
A factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment
Confounding variable
Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing pre existing differences between the different groups
Random assignment
A group or individual used as a standard of comparison for checking the results of a survey or experiment
Control