Research Methods, Ethics, and Statistics Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms in psychological research methods, ethics, and basic data statistics.

Qualitative Measures

Research measures that gather data using words and detailed descriptions rather than numbers, such as recording interview responses.

Structured Interviews

An interview method where a researcher asks every participant the exact same predetermined questions in the exact same order.

Quantitative Measures

Research measures involving numerical data that can be calculated, such as test scores.

Likert Scales

A type of rating scale used in surveys to measure degree of agreement or feeling (e.g., $1 = \text{Strongly Disagree}$ to $5 = \text{Strongly Agree}$).

Appropriate Representation

Ensuring a study's sample accurately represents the broader population by including participants from diverse schools, backgrounds, and locations.

Replication and Peer Review

The process where other researchers repeat a study to verify its results, and experts evaluate the research before it is published.

Case Study

An in-depth study of a single person or group using detailed interviews, records, and observations over time.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing and recording subjects in their natural environment without interfering or altering their behavior.

Meta-analysis

A technique where a researcher combines the results of many different studies (e.g., $30$ studies) to determine an overall pattern.

Correlation

A relationship showing that two variables are related or tend to move together, which does NOT prove causation.

Variables of Interest

The specific factors, traits, or conditions being studied and measured in research.

Directionality Problem

The inability to determine which variable causes the other based solely on a correlation between two variables.

Third-Variable Problem

A situation where an unmeasured hidden third factor may explain the observed relationship between two variables.

Surveys

A research method used to collect information by asking participants questions, such as via a questionnaire.

Wording Effects

The phenomenon where the specific phrasing of a question influences how participants respond.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

An ethics committee that reviews research studies involving human participants to ensure ethical treatment and safety.

Informed Consent

Agreement given by an adult participant who understands the study's procedures and potential risks.

Informed Assent

Agreement to participate in a study provided by a minor, while their parent or guardian provides formal consent.

Protection from Harm

An ethical standard ensuring participants are not exposed to procedures that could cause significant physical or psychological harm.

Confidentiality of Participants

The practice where the researcher knows participant identities but keeps all data secure and private from others.

Anonymity

Data collection conducted in a way where no one, including the researcher, can connect responses to participant identities.

Deception and Consent

Misleading participants about a study's real purpose when ethically justified, followed by full disclosure during debriefing.

Confederate

An actor who works for the researcher and pretends to be a regular participant during an experiment.

Debriefing

The process of explaining a study's true purpose and reasons for deception to participants after research ends.

Table, Graph, Chart, Figure

Visual tools used by researchers to organize, summarize, and display data clearly.

Central Tendency

Statistical measures (mean, median, mode) that describe where the center or typical value of a dataset lies.

Mean

The mathematical average of a set of scores, calculated by adding all scores and dividing by the total count (e.g., $\frac{80+90+100}{3}=90$).

Median

The middle score in a distribution when data points are arranged in order.

Mode

The score or score value that occurs most frequently in a dataset.

Standard Deviation

A statistic indicating how much individual scores spread out or deviate from the mean.

Normal Curve

A symmetrical, bell-shaped distribution where most scores cluster near the average and mean = median = mode.

Percentages in a Normal Curve

The $68\text{--}95\text{--}99.7$ rule stating that about $68\%$ of scores fall within $1$ standard deviation of the mean, $95\%$ within $2$, and $99.7\%$ within $3$.

Skewness

A property of a data distribution where scores cluster on one side, leaving a longer tail toward the opposite side.

Percentile Rank

A measure indicating the percentage of people in a comparison group who scored at or below a specific score.

Bimodal Distribution

A dataset distribution that contains two distinct peaks or clusters.

Regression Toward the Mean

The statistical tendency for extreme scores or results on one occasion to move back toward the average on subsequent tests.