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70 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Hypothesis |
prediction regarding the results of a research study |
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Theory |
An explanation of behavior that can be tested through research studies |
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Parsimony |
The assumption that the simplest explanation of a phenomenon is most likely to be correct |
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Testability |
The assumption that explanations of behavior can be tested and falsified through observation |
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Basic Research |
research conducted with the goal of understanding fundamental processes of phenomena |
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Authority |
relying on a knowledgeable person or group as a means of knowing about the world |
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Observation |
Relying on what one observes as a means of knowing about the world |
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Descriptive Research Question |
a research question that asks about the presence of behavior, how frequently it is exhibited, or whether there is a relationship between different behaviors |
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Institutional Review Board (IRB) |
a committee of knowledgeable individuals who oversee the ethics of research with human participants conducted at an institution |
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Empiricism |
gaining knowledge through systematic observation of the world |
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Applied Research |
research conducted with the goal of solving everyday problems |
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Confirmation Bias |
seeking only evidence that supports our beliefs and ignoring evidence that contradicts those beliefs |
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Causal Research Question |
a research question that asks what causes specific behaviors to occur |
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Determinism |
the assumption that phenomena have identifiable causes |
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Intuition |
relying on common sense as a means of knowing about the world |
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Internal Validity |
the degree to which a study provides causal information about behavior |
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Literature Review |
a process of searching for and reviewing previous studies related to a study being developed to add to the knowledge in an area and make appropriate predictions about the data |
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Deduction |
using logical reasoning and current knowledge as a means of knowing about the world |
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External Validity |
the degree to which the results of a study apply to individuals and realistic behaviors outside the study |
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Reliability |
the degree to which the results of a study can be replicated under similar conditions |
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Naturalistic Observation |
a data collection technique involving noninvasive observation of individuals in their natural environments |
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Qualitative Data |
nonnumerical participant responses |
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Quantitative Data |
numerical data |
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Survey Research |
a research study that uses the survey observational technique to measure behavior |
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Dependent Variable |
a variable that is measured or observed from an individual |
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Case Study |
a research design that involves intensive study of particular individuals and their behaviors |
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Outcome Variable |
the dependent variable in a correlation study that is being predicted by the predictor variable |
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Quasi-Experiment |
a type of research design where a comparison is made, as in an experiment, but no random assignment of subjects to groups occurs |
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Confounding Variable |
an extraneous factor present in a study that may affect the results |
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Random Assignment |
participants are randomly assigned to levels of the independent variable in an experiment to control for individual differences as an extraneous variable |
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Pretest-Posttest Design |
a type of research design (often a quasi-experiment) where behavior is measured both before and after a treatment or condition is implemented |
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Systematic Observation |
data collection technique in which control is exerted over the conditions under which the behavior is observed |
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Independent Variable |
a variable in an experiment that is manipulated by the researcher such that the levels of the variable change across or within subjects in the experiment |
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Interrupted Reliability |
a measure of the degree to which different observers rate behaviors in similar ways |
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Quasi-Independent Variables |
variable that allows comparison of groups of participants without manipulation (no random assignment) |
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Control Group |
the group of participants in an experiment that do not experience the treatment level of the independent variable |
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Predictor Variable |
the dependent variable in a correlation study that is used to predict the score on another variable |
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Scatterplot |
a graph showing the relationship between two dependent variables for a group of individuals |
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Third Variable Problem |
the presence of extraneous factors in the study that affect the dependent variable and can decrease the internal validity of the study |
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Small n Design |
an experiment conducted with one or a few participants to better understand the behavior of those individuals |
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Operational Definition |
the definition of an abstract concept used by a researcher to measure or manipulate the concept in a research study |
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Construct Validity |
indicates that a survey measures the behavior it is designed to measure |
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Face Validity |
on the surface, a study or scale appears to be intuitively valid |
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Bivalent Independent Variable |
an independent variable with two levels-a design is considered bivalent if it contains only one bivalent independent variable |
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Multivalent Variable |
an independent variable that includes 3 or more levels-a design is considered multivalent if there is only one independent variable that contains 3 or more levels |
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Type Variable |
a variable that involves a manipulation of types of a treatment |
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Presence/Absence Variable |
a variable that involves a manipulation with a level that involves the treatment and a level that does not involve the treatment |
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Amount Variable |
variables that include levels with a different amount of the treatment changing from level to level |
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Experiment Bias |
a source of bias in a study created when a researcher treats groups differently (often unknowing) based on knowledge of the hypothesis |
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Single Blind Design |
procedure used to hide the group assignment from the participants in a study to prevent their beliefs about the effectiveness of a treatment from affecting the results |
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Placebo |
a sugar pill given to the control group in a drug study to allow all groups to believe that they are receiving a treatment |
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Double Blind Design |
procedure used to control for experiment bias by keeping the knowledge of the group assignments from both the participants and the researchers who interact with the participants |
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Testing Effects |
occur when participants are tested more then once in a study, with early testing affecting later testing |
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Within Subjects Variable |
each participant experiences all levels of the variable |
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Between Subjects Variable |
each participants experiences only one level of the independent variable |
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Counterbalance |
a control used in within subjects experiments where equal numbers of participants are randomly assigned to different orders of the conditions |
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Regression Toward the Mean |
can occur when participants score higher or lower than their personal average-the next time they are tested, they are more likely to score near their personal average, making scores unreliable |
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Hawthorne Effect |
a source of bias that can occur in a study due to participants' changing their behavior because they are aware that they are being observed |
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Field Experiment |
an experiment conducted in the participants' natural environment |
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Demand Characteristics |
a source of bias that can occur in a study due to participants' changing their behavior based on their perception of the study and its purpose |
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Nominal Scale (1/4 Scales) |
a scale of data measurement that involves non-ordered categorical responses |
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Ordinal Scale (2/4 Scales) |
a scale of data measurement that involves ordered categorical responses |
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Interval Scale (3/4 Scales) |
a scale of data measurement that involves numerical responses that are equally spaced, but scores are not ratios of each other |
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Ratio Scale (4/4 Scales) |
a scale of data measurement that involves numerical responses, where scores are ratios of each other |
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Article Structure |
Abstract Intro Method Results Discussion References |
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Abstract |
a summary of an article that appears at the beginning of the article and the searchable databases of journal articles |
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Intro |
a section of an APA style article that introduces the topic of the study, reviews relevant background studies and the presents predictions for the data |
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Method |
section of an APA style article that describes the participants, design, stimuli, apparatus, and procedure used in the study |
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Results |
section of an APA style article that presents a summary of the results and the statistical tests of the predictions |
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Discussion |
section of an APA article that compares the results of a study to the predictions and the results of previous studies |
