W1 Ch 1: research vocab

Question 1

scientific method

Answer 1

the approach through which psychologists systematically acquire knowledge and understanding about behavior and other phenomena of interest

Question 2

theories

Answer 2

broad explanations and predictions concerning phenomena of interest

Question 3

hypothesis

Answer 3

a prediction, stemming from a theory, stated in a way that allows it to be tested

Question 4

operational definition

Answer 4

the translation of a hypothesis into specific, testable procedures that can be measured and observed

Question 5

descriptive research

Answer 5

research designed to systematically investigate a person, group, or patterns of behavior

Question 6

archival research

Answer 6

research in which existing data, such as census documents, college records, and newspaper clippings, are examined to test a hypothesis

Question 7

naturalistic observation

Answer 7

research in which an investigator simply observes some naturally occurring behavior and does not make a change in the situation

Question 8

survey research

Answer 8

research in which people chosen to represent a larger population are asked a series of questions about their behavior, thoughts, or attitudes

Question 9

case study

Answer 9

an in-depth, intensive investigation of an individual or small group of people

Question 10

variables

Answer 10

behaviors, events, or other characteristics that can change, or vary, in some way

Question 11

correlational research

Answer 11

research in which the relationship between two sets of variables is examined to determine whether they are associated, or “correlated”

Question 12

experiment

Answer 12

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

Question 13

experimental manipulation

Answer 13

the change that an experimenter deliberately produces in a situation

Question 14

treatment

Answer 14

the manipulation implemented by the experimenter

Question 15

experimental group

Answer 15

any group participating in an experiment that receives treatment

Question 16

control group

Answer 16

a group participating in an experiment that receives no treatment

Question 17

independent variable

Answer 17

the variable that is manipulated by an experimenter

Question 18

dependent variable

Answer 18

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

Question 19

random assignment to condition

Answer 19

a procedure in which participants are assigned to different experimental groups or “conditions” on the basis of chance and chance alone

Question 20

replication

Answer 20

research that is repeated, sometimes using other procedures, settings, and group of participants, to increase confidence in prior findings

Question 21

informed consent

Answer 21

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

Question 22

experimental bias

Answer 22

factors that distort how the independent variable affects the dependent variable in an experiment

Question 23

placebo

Answer 23

a false treatment, such as a pill, “drug,” or other substance, without any significant chemical properties or active ingredient