Lecture Two Psych Research methods

Flashcards related to psychological research methods, focusing on definitions of key terms and concepts discussed in the lecture.

Tech-free class

A policy where devices are not allowed unless permission is granted.

Acadly

An app used for attendance and classroom activities.

Scientific mindset

Open-minded but skeptical approach to evaluating theories.

Descriptive designs

Research designs that aim to describe what is typical or average behavior.

Correlational designs

Research designs that aim to describe relationships between two or more variables.

Experimental designs

Research designs that manipulate variables to determine causal relationships.

Critical consumer

An individual who critically evaluates research methods and findings.

Multitasking

Simultaneous execution of activities that require conscious processing of information.

Operational definition

A specific procedure or measurement to define a variable.

Attendance

A method to check who is present in class.

Visual contact

Constant engagement with electronic screens.

Electroluminescent panels

Innovative technology expected to be commonly used by 2014.

Critical scrutiny

Rigorous evaluation of ideas and evidence.

The scientific research cycle

A process for testing theories using data collection.

Data collection

Gathering information for analysis in research.

Quantifiable observations

Data that can be measured and analyzed statistically.

Supporting data

Evidence that strengthens a theory.

Inferential statistics

Statistical methods used to infer conclusions about populations from sample data.

Descriptive statistics

Statistics that summarize the characteristics of a data set.

Central tendency

A statistical measure to determine the center of a data set (mean, median, mode).

Variability

A measure of the spread of data points in a data set.

Mean

The average score in a data set.

Median

The middle score in a data set.

Mode

The most frequently occurring score in a data set.

Standard deviation

A measure of how much scores vary from the mean.

Correlational coefficient (r)

A measure of the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables.

Negative correlation

A relationship where one variable increases as the other decreases.

Positive correlation

A relationship where both variables increase or decrease together.

P-value

The probability that a result could occur by random chance.

Statistically significant

A result that is unlikely to have occurred under the null hypothesis.

Dr. Richard Menken

Lead author of a report on Americans' screen time.

Causal relationship

A relationship where one variable causes changes in another.

Control group

A group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment being tested.

Manipulated variable

A variable that is intentionally changed in an experiment.

Measured variable

A dependent variable that is observed to assess the effect of changes.

Random assignment

Assigning participants to conditions randomly to ensure equivalence.

Double-blind procedure

Neither participants nor researchers know who is receiving a specific treatment.

Limitations of experiments

Situations where conducting a study isn't practical or ethical.

Self-selection bias

Bias introduced when individuals choose to participate in a study.

W.E.I.R.D. participants

Participants who are Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic.

Validity

The degree to which a study accurately measures what it intends to measure.

Reliability

The consistency of a measurement across different instances.

Research ethics

Standards that guide researchers to conduct studies responsibly.

Replicability

The ability of a study to be duplicated in future research.

Media multitasking

The simultaneous use of multiple forms of media.

Class performance

Students' academic results during assessments.

Comparative studies

Research comparing two or more groups or variables.

Learning outcomes

The knowledge or skills students should acquire from an educational activity.

Causal evidence

Data that demonstrates a cause-and-effect relationship.

Educational interventions

Actions taken to improve learning outcomes.

Academic multitasking

Juggling multiple academic tasks simultaneously.

Tech-free policy

A regulation that prohibits the use of technology in certain settings.

Student engagement

The level of interest and participation a student exhibits in their learning.

Empirical evidence

Information acquired by observation or experimentation.

Distraction

An interruption that diverts attention away from tasks.

Experimental controls

Procedures implemented to minimize the impact of confounding factors.

Sampling error

The difference between the sample statistic and the actual population parameter.

Learning techniques

Methods applied to enhance educational outcomes.

Independent variable (IV)

The variable manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent variable (DV)

The outcome that is measured in an experiment.

Peer influence

The impact that peers can have on an individual's behaviors and decisions.

Cognitive load

The total amount of mental effort being used in the working memory.

Attention span

The length of time a person can concentrate on a task without becoming distracted.

Study design

The framework for collecting and analyzing data.

Systems thinking

A method of understanding complex interactions in a system.

Behavioral interventions

Strategies designed to modify specific behaviors.