Psych Research Methods Vocab

Ethics

The correct rules of conduct necessary when carrying out research.

Deception

Not telling the truth about the aim or purpose of a study or omitting information. Providing false information to a participant.

Debriefing

Sharing the purpose and result of a study with participants upon completion.

Informed Consent

Sharing the purpose and procedures of a study with participants so that participants can get the information they need and give consent.

Do No Harm

Taking the health and well being of participants in mind in designing and executing a study so that the participant is safe from mental or physical harm or stress.

Right to Withdraw

The ability to discontinue participation in a study at any time. Participants should be informed of this when signing consent form.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Participant information should remain anonymous and should not be shared with anyone other than those given access by the participant.

Quantitative Research

Of, relating to, or involving the measurement of quantity or amount.

Hypothesis

A tentative assumption or prediction made in order to test its logical or empirical outcome.

Experiment

An operation or procedure carried out where an independent variable is applied under controlled conditions in order to test or establish a hypothesis.

Control Group

The group of participants in an experiment that is not exposed to the independent variable.

Experimental Group

The group of participants in an experiment that is exposed to the independent variable.

Confounding Variable

An outside variable that might impact the results of an experiment. 

Independent Variable

The variable that is being manipulated in order to see if it will have an impact on participants.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured as the outcome, response or impact of the independent variable.

Single Blind

A study in which the participants don’t know which condition/group that they have been assigned.

Double Blind

A study in which neither the participants or the researchers know who has been assigned to the experimental group.

Placebo

A substance or treatment that appears identical to the actual treatment, but is not real.

Random Assignment

Every participant has an equal chance of being in either the experimental group or the control group.

Field Experiment

An experiment done in a natural setting.

Quasi Experiment

An experiment where no IV is manipulated and participants are not randomly allocated to conditions. Instead, it is their traits that set them apart.

Correlational Study

A study that shows a relationship between two variables.

Qualitative Research

Produces descriptive data that is used to gain an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations for an individual or group's behavior.

Survey

To query/question (someone) in order to collect data for the analysis of some aspect of a group or area. Usually written.

Observation

To watch the behavior of a person or group in order to gather data and insight. Could be Covert or Overt.

Case Study

A study that gathers data about an individual or group over a period of time. Multiple methods may be employed.

Interview

A one on one set of verbal questions or a conversation used to gather data.

Sampling Methods

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Stratified Sample

A sampling method where the population is divided into categories and the sample is drawn from the categories.

Random Sample

A sample in which every participant has an equal chance of being selected.

Opportunity Sample

A sample where participants are drawn from an easy or convenient subgroup.

Snowball Sample

A sample where participants are asked to recruit others to participate and so on and so on.

Self Selected Sample

A sample where participants volunteer to participate.

Purposive Sample

A sample where a specific group of people with specific characteristics are recruited for participation.