research methods

What is a hypothesis?

A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.

What is operational definition?

A statement of the procedures or ways in which a researcher is going to measure specific variables.

What are independent and dependent variables?

Independent variables are manipulated by the researcher, while dependent variables are measured to see how they are affected.

What is a control group?

The group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment and is used for comparison.

What is random assignment?

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, reducing preexisting differences.

What are confounding variables?

Variables other than the independent variable that may affect the dependent variable.

What is a double-blind study?

A study in which neither the participants nor the experimenters know who is receiving a particular treatment.

What is a survey method?

A research method that collects information from a large group of people through questionnaires or interviews.

What is a case study?

An in-depth examination of a single individual, group, or event.

What is correlational research?

Research that examines the relationship between two variables without manipulating them.

What does a positive correlation indicate?

As one variable increases, the other also increases, or as one decreases, the other decreases.

What does a negative correlation indicate?

As one variable increases, the other decreases.

What is longitudinal research?

A research design that involves repeated observations of the same variables over a long period of time.

What is a cross-sectional study?

A study that analyzes data from a population at a specific point in time.

What does the term 'generalizability' refer to?

The extent to which results from a study can be applied to larger populations.

What is reliability in research?

The consistency of a research study or measuring test.

What is validity in research?

The extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure.

What is a meta-analysis?

A statistical technique that combines the results of multiple studies to identify overall trends.

What is a longitudinal study?

A research design conducted over a period, allowing researchers to observe changes over time.

What is participant observation?

A qualitative research method in which the researcher becomes a part of the group being studied.

What are ethical considerations in research?

Guidelines that help researchers conduct studies without harming participants, including informed consent and confidentiality.