Psych Final - Ch. 2 Using Research To Understand Children And Adolescents

Front 1

scientific method

Back 1

multipstep process of answering a carefully defined research question by using critical thinking and analysis of the evidence

Front 2

sample

Back 2

the specific participants in a research study; their performance is often assumed to indicate how a larger population of individuals would perform

Front 3

self-report

Back 3

data collection technique whereby participants are asked to describe their own characteristics and performance

Front 4

interview

Back 4

data collection technique that obtains self-report data through face-to-face conversation

Front 5

questionnaire

Back 5

data collection technique that obtains self-report data through a paper-pencil inventory

Front 6

test

Back 6

instrument designed to assess knowledge, understandings, abilities or skills in a consistent fashion across individuals

Front 7

assessment

Back 7

task that children complete and researchers use to make judgements of children's understandings and skills

Front 8

physiological measure

Back 8

direct assessment of physical development or physiological functioning

Front 9

habituation

Back 9

changes in children's physiological responses to repeated displays or the same stimulus, reflecting loss of interest

Front 10

observation

Back 10

data collection technique whereby a researcher carefully observes and documents the behaviors of participants in a research study

Front 11

validity

Back 11

extent to which a data collection technique actually assesses what the researcher intends for it to assess

Front 12

reliability

Back 12

extent to which a data collection technique yields consistent, dependable results - results that are only minimally affected by temporary and irrelevant influences.

Front 13

experimental study

Back 13

research study in which a researcher manipulates one aspect of the environment (a treatment), controls other aspects of the environment and assesses the treatment's effects on participants' behavior

Front 14

control group

Back 14

a group of participants in a research study who do not receive the treatment under investigation; often used in an experimental study

Front 15

quasi-experimental

Back 15

research study in which 1+ experimental treatments are administered but in which random assignment to groups is not possible

Front 16

correlation

Back 16

extent to which 2 variables are related to each other, such that when one variable increases, the other either increases or decreases in a somewhat predictable fashion

Front 17

correlation coefficient

Back 17

a statistic that indicates the nature of the relationship between 2 variables

Front 18

correlational study

Back 18

research study that explores relationships among variables

Front 19

cross-sectional study

Back 19

research study in which the performance of individuals at different ages is compared

Front 20

longitudinal study

Back 20

research study in which the performance of a single group of people is tracked over a period of time

Front 21

naturalistic study

Back 21

research study in which individuals are observed in their natural environment

Front 22

action research

Back 22

systematic study of an issue or problem by a teacher or other practitioner, with the goal of bringing about more productive outcomes for children