Ap Psych: Research Methods

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Case Study

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A descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

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Control Group

Back 2

In an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment

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Correlation

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A measure of the extent to which two variables change together, and thus of how well either variable predicts the other

Front 4

Correlation Coefficient

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A statistical index of the relationship between two variables(from -1 to +1)

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Critical Thinking

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Thinking that does not blindly accept argument and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, assesses the source, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

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Cross-sectional Study

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A study in which people of different ages are compared with one another.

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Culture

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The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people transmitted from one generation to the next.

Front 8

Data

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Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis

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Debriefing

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The post experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deception, to its participants.

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Dependent Variable

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The outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulation of the independent variable

Front 11

Descriptive Statistics

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Numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups. Includes measures of central tendency and measures of variation

Front 12

Double-blind Study

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An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo.

Front 13

Ethics

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Moral principles that govern a person's or a group's behavior

Front 14

Expectancy Bias

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Results are the effect of the experimenter changing results based on what they think is supposed to happen

Front 15

Experiment

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A scientific study undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact

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Experimental Group

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In an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable

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Extraneous(confounding) Variable

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A factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment

Front 18

Frequency Distribution

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A summary of how often different scores occur within a sample of scores.

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Histogram

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A bar graph depicting a frequency distibution

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Hypothesis

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A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Front 21

Hindsight Bias

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The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it. (I-knew-it-all-along phenomenon)

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Illusionary Correlation

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The perception of a relationship where none exists

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Independent Variable

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The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied

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Inferential Statistics

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Numerical data that allow one to generalize; to infer from sample data the probability of something being true of a population

Front 25

Informed Consent

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An ethical principle that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate

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Longitudinal Study

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Research in which the same people are restudied and retested over a long period

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Mean

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Arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores

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Median

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The middle score in a distribution, half of the scores are above it and half are below it

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Mode

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The most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution

Front 30

Naturalistic Observation

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Observing and recording data in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

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Normal Curve

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Also called the normal distribution. A symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean and fewer and fewer near the extremes

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Operational Definition

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A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study.

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Personal Bias

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A personal opinion that influences the outcome of results.

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Placebo Effect

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Any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent

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Population

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All those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn

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Random Assignment

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Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the different groups

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Random Sample

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A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance on inclusion

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Range

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The difference between the highest an lowest scores in a distribution

Front 39

Replication

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Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances

Front 40

Sampling Bias

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A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample

Front 41

Scatterplot

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A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables. The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation

Front 42

Skewed Distribution

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A representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value

Front 43

Standard Deviation

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A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score

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Survey

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A technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative,

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Theory

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An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events

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Validity

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The extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to