Key Concepts in Research Methodology

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts from research methodology, emphasizing definitions and explanations of terms relevant for understanding the subject.

Cultural norms

Shared expectations and rules that guide behavior of people within social groups.

Confirmation bias

The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one’s preexisting beliefs.

Hindsight bias

The inclination to see events as having been predictable after they have already occurred.

Overconfidence

A cognitive bias characterized by an overestimation of one's own abilities or knowledge.

Independent variables

Variables that are manipulated to observe their effect on dependent variables.

Confounding variables

External variables that can affect the outcome of an experiment, making it hard to isolate the independent variable's impact.

Dependent variables

Variables that are measured to assess the effect of the independent variables.

Random assignment

A method used to assign participants to different groups, which reduces the likelihood of bias.

Case study

A detailed analysis of a person, group, or event to understand a certain phenomenon.

Correlation

A statistical measure that describes the extent to which two variables change together.

Positive Correlation

A relationship between two variables in which both variables move in the same direction.

Negative Correlation

A relationship between two variables in which one variable increases as the other decreases.

Meta-analysis

A statistical technique that combines the results of multiple studies to draw broader conclusions.

Naturalistic observation

A research method involving observing subjects in their natural environment without manipulation.

Hypothesis

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

Falsifiable

A characteristic of a hypothesis that allows it to be disproved through experimentation.

Operational definitions

Detailed definitions of research variables that specify how they will be measured.

Replication

The process of repeating a study to verify its results and findings.

Central tendency

A statistical measure that identifies a single score as representative of an entire distribution.

Variation

A measure of how much the scores in a data set differ from each other.

Percentile rank

A score indicating the relative standing of a value within a statistical distribution.

Mean

The average of a set of numbers, calculated by dividing the sum of all values by their count.

Median

The middle value when a data set is ordered from least to greatest.

Mode

The value that appears most frequently in a data set.

Range

The difference between the highest and lowest values in a data set.

Normal curve

A symmetrical, bell-shaped curve representing the distribution of a set of data.

Positive skew

A distribution that has a longer tail on the right side, indicating more low values.

Negative skew

A distribution that has a longer tail on the left side, indicating more high values.

Bimodal distribution

A distribution with two different modes.

Standard deviation

A measure of the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of values.

Regression toward the mean

The phenomenon where extreme measurements tend to be closer to the average on subsequent trials.

Sample

A subset of a population used to represent the larger group in a study.

Population

The entire group of individuals that a researcher is interested in studying.

Representative sample

A subset of a population that accurately reflects the characteristics of the larger group.

Random sampling

A technique used to create a sample that leads to fair representation of all members of a population.

Convenience sampling

A non-random sampling technique where subjects are selected because they are easily accessible.

Generalizing

Inferring conclusions about a population based on results from a sample.

Experimental group

The group in an experiment that receives the treatment or intervention.

Control group

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

Placebo

A substance with no therapeutic effect used as a control in testing new drugs.

Placebo effect

The phenomenon in which patients experience improvements in their condition due to their expectations.

Single-blind study

An experimental design in which the participants do not know whether they are in the experimental or control group.

Double-blind study

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

Experimenter bias

The influence of the researcher’s expectations on the outcome of a study.

Social desirability bias

The tendency of respondents to answer questions in a manner that will be viewed favorably by others.

Qualitative research/measures

Research that focuses on understanding the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to social or human problems.

Structured interviews

Interviews with predetermined questions that allow for little variation.

Quantitative research/measures

Research that focuses on quantifying the problem and understanding how prevalent it is.

Likert scales

A rating scale commonly used in surveys to measure attitudes or opinions.

Representation of participants

The degree to which study participants reflect the diversity of the larger population.

Peer review

The process by which scholars evaluate research proposals or finished studies before publication.

Scatterplot

A graphical representation of data points on a two-dimensional axis to show relationships between variables.

Correlation coefficient

A statistical measure that describes the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables.

Effect sizes

Measures of the strength of the relationship between two variables in a statistical analysis.

Statistical significance

A determination that results observed in data are not likely due to chance.

Directionality problem

The issue in correlation research regarding which variable is the cause and which is the effect.

Third variable problem

The possibility that a third variable affects the two variables being studied.

Institutional review

A committee that reviews research proposals to ensure ethical standards are met.

Informed consent

The process of providing potential participants with information about a study, allowing them to agree to participate.

Informed assent

An agreement obtained from individuals who are not legally able to give consent, with appropriate understanding.

Protection from harm

Ethical guideline ensuring that participants in a study do not suffer adverse effects.

Confidentiality

A principle that ensures participant information is kept private and secure.

Deception

In research, the act of misleading participants about the true purpose of a study.

Debriefing

The process of informing participants about the study's purpose and methods after it has occurred.