AP Psych - Research Methods

AP PSYCH EXAM STUDY

Experiment Advantage

researcher controls variables to establish CAUSE AND EFFECT

Experiment Disadvantage

difficult to generalize

Independent Variable

manipulated by the researcher

Control Group

part of the IV; placebo, baseline

Placebo Effect

show behaviors associated with the experimental group when having received placebo

Placebo

treatment/substance

Double-Blind

experiment where neither the participant or the experimenter are aware of which condition people are assigned to

Dependent Variable

measured variable (is DEPENDENT on the independent variable)

Operational Definition

clear, precise, typically quantifiable definition of your variables - allows REPLICATION

Confound

error/flaw in study

Random Assignment

assigns participants to either control or experimental group at random - minimizes bias, increase chance of equal representation

Random Sample

method for choosing participants - minimizes bias

Validity

accurate results

Reliability

same results every time

Naturalistic Observation Advantage

real world validity (observing people in their own setting)

Naturalistic Observation Disadvantage

no cause and effect

Correlation Advantage

identify relationship between two variables

Correlation Disadvantage

no cause and effect

Correlation

DOES NOT EQUAL CAUSATION

Positive Correlation

variables vary in the same direction

Negative Correlation

variables vary in opposite directions

The stronger the number

the stronger the relationship regardless of negative/positive sign

Case Study Advantage

studies ONE person (usually in great detail - lots of info)

Case Study Disadvantage

no cause and effect

Descriptive Stats

shape of the data

Mean

measures of central tendency; average (use in normal distribution)

Median

measures of central tendency; middle # (use in skewed distribution)

Mode

measures of central tendency; occurs most often

Inferential Statistics

establish significance (meaningfulness) significant results = not due to change

Ethical Guidelines (APA)

confidentiality, informed consent, debriefing, deception must be warned