Week 3 Flashcards
What are the main steps in the research process?
Developing a research question, conducting a literature review, identifying variables, selecting a research design, and testing a hypothesis.
What makes a good research question?
It should be focused, relevant, and realistic.
Why is a literature review important?
It helps assess the validity, generalizability, and relevance of previous research and identifies gaps to explore.
What is an independent variable (IV)?
The variable manipulated by the researcher.
What is a dependent variable (DV)?
The outcome measured, which may change based on the IV.
What are confounding variables?
Variables related to both the IV and DV, which can obscure the true relationship between them.
What are extraneous variables?
Uncontrolled factors that can affect the DV, such as participant characteristics or environmental factors.
What is non-experimental (correlational) research?
Research that observes relationships without manipulating variables; cannot determine cause and effect.
What is a true experimental design?
A design where the researcher controls variables, randomly assigns participants, and may include a control group.
What is a within-subjects design?
A design where each participant experiences both the control and experimental conditions.
What is a between-subjects design?
A design where different groups are assigned to control or experimental conditions, often with random assignment.
What is a quasi-experimental design?
: A study resembling an experiment but lacks full control over participant assignment, limiting causal conclusions.
What is an alternative hypothesis (H1)?
A testable statement predicting a specific relationship or effect between variables.
What is a null hypothesis (H0)?
The assumption that there is no effect or relationship between variables.
What is a one-tailed hypothesis?
A hypothesis that specifies the direction of the expected effect.
What is a two-tailed hypothesis?
A hypothesis that predicts a difference but does not specify the direction.
When are parametric tests used?
For interval or ratio data with normal distribution; they are more powerful when assumptions are met.
When are non-parametric tests used?
For nominal or ordinal data with no distribution assumptions; they are less powerful with small sample sizes.
What is the purpose of hypothesis testing?
To evaluate the likelihood that the observed effects support the hypothesis, often using statistical tests.
