PSYC100 Week 2 – Lecture Notes Review

This flashcard set covers key vocabulary and concepts from PSYC100 Week 2 lecture on statistical thinking and research designs.

Statistical Investigation

A systematic approach to gathering and analyzing data to answer testable research questions.

p-value

The probability that the observed results occurred by random chance; a smaller value suggests stronger evidence against the null hypothesis.

Confidence Interval

A range of values that is likely to contain the true population parameter, often expressed with a certain level of confidence (e.g., 95%).

Random Sampling

A method of selecting participants that ensures each individual has an equal chance of being chosen, allowing for generalization.

Random Assignment

The process of assigning participants to different groups in an experiment in such a way that each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any group.

Statistical Significance

A determination that the observed effect in data is unlikely to have occurred by chance alone, typically indicated by p < 0.05.

Internal Validity

The extent to which a study can demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship, often ensured through controlled experiments.

External Validity

The degree to which research findings can be generalized to real-world settings.

Ecological Validity

The extent to which the findings of a study reflect real-life experiences.

Experimental Design

A research design where the researcher manipulates one variable to determine its effect on another variable, usually with random assignment.

Correlational Design

A research method used to examine the relationship between two variables without manipulation.

Quasi-Experimental Design

Research designs that lack random assignment and instead utilize existing groups, allowing for observation but not definitive causation.

Longitudinal Study

A research design that follows the same individuals over time to observe changes.

Narrative Analysis

A qualitative research method that examines personal stories and how they are told.

Experience Sampling Method (ESM)

A research technique in which participants report their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors at multiple points in time throughout the day.

Double-Blind Procedure

An experimental design where both the participants and researchers are unaware of the conditions to eliminate bias.

Margin of Error

A statistic that expresses the amount of random sampling error in a survey's results, often calculated as 1 / √n.

Statistical Investigation

A systematic approach to gathering and analyzing data to answer testable research questions.

p-value

The probability that the observed results occurred by random chance; a smaller value suggests stronger evidence against the null hypothesis.

Confidence Interval

A range of values that is likely to contain the true population parameter, often expressed with a certain level of confidence (e.g., 95%).

Random Sampling

A method of selecting participants that ensures each individual has an equal chance of being chosen, allowing for generalization.

Random Assignment

The process of assigning participants to different groups in an experiment in such a way that each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any group.

Statistical Significance

A determination that the observed effect in data is unlikely to have occurred by chance alone, typically indicated by p < 0.05.

Internal Validity

The extent to which a study can demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship, often ensured through controlled experiments.

External Validity

The degree to which research findings can be generalized to real-world settings.

Ecological Validity

The extent to which the findings of a study reflect real-life experiences.

Experimental Design

A research design where the researcher manipulates one variable to determine its effect on another variable, usually with random assignment.

Correlational Design

A research method used to examine the relationship between two variables without manipulation.

Quasi-Experimental Design

Research designs that lack random assignment and instead utilize existing groups, allowing for observation but not definitive causation.

Longitudinal Study

A research design that follows the same individuals over time to observe changes.

Narrative Analysis

A qualitative research method that examines personal stories and how they are told.

Experience Sampling Method (ESM)

A research technique in which participants report their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors at multiple points in time throughout the day.

Double-Blind Procedure

An experimental design where both the participants and researchers are unaware of the conditions to eliminate bias.

Margin of Error

A statistic that expresses the amount of random sampling error in a survey's results, often calculated as 1 / \sqrt{n}.

Null Hypothesis

A statement that there is no effect or no relationship between variables, which researchers attempt to disprove.

Alternative Hypothesis

A statement that there is a significant effect or relationship between variables, often the researcher's prediction.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that is manipulated by the researcher in an experiment to observe its effect.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable that is measured in an experiment and is expected to change as a result of the independent variable.

Confounding Variable

An unmeasured variable that influences both the independent and dependent variables, potentially leading to spurious relationships.

Population

The entire group of individuals or instances to which a study's findings are intended to be generalized.

Sample

A subset of the population selected for a study, from which data are collected.

Distributional Thinking

Understanding that data vary; researchers analyze the entire distribution of data (spread, shape, outliers), not just averages.

Generalizability

The extent to which results from a sample can be applied to the broader population.
Based on random sampling, not random assignment.

Reliability

The consistency or stability of a measurement; the same results should occur under the same conditions.

Validity

The degree to which a study accurately measures or tests what it claims to measure.

Internal–External Validity Trade-Off

Increasing control in lab experiments raises internal validity but may reduce external (real-world) validity.

Diary Method

A real-world research method where participants record their feelings, behaviors, or experiences daily to reveal patterns over time.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing behavior in its natural setting without manipulation or interference; provides high ecological validity.

Field Experiment

An experiment conducted in a real-world environment with some control over variables; balances realism and experimental control.

WEIRD Bias

A limitation of psychology research that often studies Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic populations, reducing global generalizability.

Placebo Effect

Improvement or change in participants caused by the expectation of treatment rather than the treatment itself.

Participant Demand

When participants alter their behavior based on what they think the researcher expects or wants to find.

Experimenter Bias

When the researcher’s expectations unintentionally influence participants’ behavior or the study’s outcomes.