W1 Ch 1: research vocab Flashcards
scientific method
the approach through which psychologists systematically acquire knowledge and understanding about behavior and other phenomena of interest
theories
broad explanations and predictions concerning phenomena of interest
hypothesis
a prediction, stemming from a theory, stated in a way that allows it to be tested
operational definition
the translation of a hypothesis into specific, testable procedures that can be measured and observed
descriptive research
research designed to systematically investigate a person, group, or patterns of behavior
archival research
research in which existing data, such as census documents, college records, and newspaper clippings, are examined to test a hypothesis
naturalistic observation
research in which an investigator simply observes some naturally occurring behavior and does not make a change in the situation
survey research
research in which people chosen to represent a larger population are asked a series of questions about their behavior, thoughts, or attitudes
case study
an in-depth, intensive investigation of an individual or small group of people
variables
behaviors, events, or other characteristics that can change, or vary, in some way
correlational research
research in which the relationship between two sets of variables is examined to determine whether they are associated, or “correlated”
experiment
the investigation of the relationship between two (or more) variables by deliberately producing a change in one variable in a situation and observing the effects of that change on other aspects of the situation
experimental manipulation
the change that an experimenter deliberately produces in a situation
treatment
the manipulation implemented by the experimenter
experimental group
any group participating in an experiment that receives treatment
control group
a group participating in an experiment that receives no treatment
independent variable
the variable that is manipulated by an experimenter
dependent variable
the variable that is measured and is expected to change as a result of changes caused by the experimenter’s manipulation of the independent variable
random assignment to condition
a procedure in which participants are assigned to different experimental groups or “conditions” on the basis of chance and chance alone
replication
research that is repeated, sometimes using other procedures, settings, and group of participants, to increase confidence in prior findings
informed consent
a document signed by participants affirming that they have been told the basic outlines of the study and are aware of what their participation will involve
experimental bias
factors that distort how the independent variable affects the dependent variable in an experiment
placebo
a false treatment, such as a pill, “drug,” or other substance, without any significant chemical properties or active ingredient
