Unit 2A: Research Methods Flashcards
Single-Blind Design
When the participants of the study are unaware of which group they are in (they do not know they are receiving the independent variable)
Double-Blind Design
When both the participant and the researcher are unaware of which independent variable they received -
- used to eliminate confounding variables and expectation effects
- used mostly in medical trials
Placebo Effect
When a person’s expectations alone create the desired results (if you think it will work, it works)
Case Study
When researchers study a single person or phenomena in depth.
- Used to study rare phenomena or things that cannot be safely replicated
Survey
A quick way of asking a person a lot of questions (can be written or verbal).
- Error prone because wording and social context can affect results.
Longitudinal Study
When researchers follow the same group of individuals for long periods of time (5+ years)
- Really expensive and participant loss can cause problems
Cross-Sectional Study
When researchers compare groups of people of different ages
- cheaper alternative to longitudinal studies
- more prone to confounding variables
Naturalistic Observation
When a researcher observes participants in their natural environment without interfering
- can be difficult to explain behaviors as an outsider
Experiment
When researchers control variables and manipulate them in order to create an outcome
- ONLY study method that can prove cause and effect
- Very expensive
Representative Sample
a group of people who are similar or represent a larger group of people
Hypothesis
a prediction about what might happen in a study
- written as an if…then…statement
Operational Definition
a SPECIFIC definition of terminology in a study
- Describes how you plan to measure or determine your variables
Population
The group of people you are studying
Random Selection
When each member of a population has an equal chance of being selected for a study
- used to make sure groups are a representative sample
Random Assignment
When groups are randomly divided into the control or Experimental groups
- done to even chances
- makes sure each group is as equal as possible
- reduces confounding variables
