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
Experimental Group
The group in the experiment that receives the independent variable or manipulation
Control Group
The group that receives NO manipulation (remains normal)
Independent Variable
The variable that is manipulated by the experimenter
Dependent Variable
The variable that is being measured (the result of the experiment)
Confounding Variable
An additional variable that might alter or change the results (gender, time of day, etc.)
Replication
The ability to repeat an experiment and get the same results
Correlation
A measure of how closely related two variables are
- range from -1 to 1
- Strong correlations are closer to 1 or -1, Weaker correlations are closer to 0
CORRELATION IS NOT CAUSATION!!!!!
Statistical Significance
The likelihood a result occurred by chance
- p value < .05
- used to determine cause and effect
Debriefing
If an experiment deceives a participant (tells them one thing but really studied another) then the researcher must explain the true purpose of the experiment after it is over
Confidentiality
A person’s personal information must be held private in any study
Informed Consent
Must get agreement from all participants prior to a study
- For children, you must get consent from the parent/guardian
