Unit 2: Scientific practices Flashcards
What is hindsight bias?
The “I knew it all along phenomena”
The tendency to believe or successfully predict the outcome of something after the fact.
Ex.: Saying “I knew they would win the game!” after the game is over.
What is critical thinking?
Do not blindly accept arguments and conclusions.
What is a theory?
Explains behaviors or events by offering ideas that organize what we have observed
What is a hypotheses?
A testable prediction often implied by a theory
What are operational definitions?
Exactly defined variables or procedures used in a research study
These definitions will allow others to replicate the research.
What is a case study?
One individual or group is studied in hope of revealing a truth relevant to all of us.
What is naturalistic observation?
Observing and recording behavior in a naturally occurring environment without trying to manipulate and control the situation.
What is a survey?
Able to test a large amount of people, researchers do surveys when they want an estimate, random sample of people
What is sampling bias?
A flawed sampling process that produces and unrepresentative sample
Ex.: Asking a group of 9th graders what they think the speed limit should be on a highway
What is a population?
All those in a group being studied, which samples can be drawn.
What is a random sample?
A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance at inclusion/participating.
What is a correlation coefficient?
A statistical measure that helps us conclude how closely two things vary together and how well either one predicts the other.
Measured from -1.0 to +1.0
What is an illusory correlation?
The perception of a relationship where none exists
Ex.: A person who was robbed on the west side of town assumes all people from the west side of town are thieves
What is an experiment?
Allow researchers to manipulate or isolate the effects of variable and control, or hold constant, other variables.
Random assignment of participants
What is the experimental group?
The group exposed to the treatment