The Scientific Method - PS102 W26

These flashcards cover key concepts and terminology from the lecture on the scientific method.

Scientific method

A systematic process used for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.

Descriptive research

Research method used to observe and describe behavior without manipulating variables.

Experimental research

Research method used to demonstrate cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating variables.

Case study

An intensive study of a single individual or group to explore a particular behavior or phenomenon.

Naturalistic observation

Research method in which the researcher observes subjects in their natural environment without manipulation.

Survey research

A method of gathering information from individuals, often using questionnaires or interviews.

Independent variable (IV)

The variable manipulated by the researcher to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Dependent variable (DV)

The variable that is measured in an experiment to assess the effect of the independent variable.

Control group

The group in an experiment that does not receive the independent variable and is used as a baseline for comparison.

Experimental group

The group in an experiment that receives the independent variable.

Correlation coefficient

A statistical measure that describes the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables.

Ethics in research

Guidelines that ensure the safety, privacy, and rights of participants in a study.

Placebo effect

The phenomenon in which participants experience changes in their condition due to their expectations, rather than due to the treatment.

Illusory correlation

The perception of a relationship between two variables when none exists.

Mean

The average of a set of scores.

Median

The middle score in a set of data.

Standard deviation

A measure of how much scores in a dataset vary from the mean.

P-value

A statistical measure that indicates the probability of the results occurring by chance.