Research Methods and Sources of Error Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering experimental design techniques to eliminate bias and error, including blind procedures and standardized methods.

Placebo Effect

The situation where a participant's belief that a treatment (like a drug) will work causes their condition to improve.

Placebo Condition

The introduction of a fake treatment, such as a fake tablet, to ensure participants do not know if they are receiving the active substance.

Single Blind Procedure

An experimental procedure where the participants do not know which condition (control or experimental) they are in.

Double Blind Procedure

A procedure where neither the participants nor the person conducting the experiment knows which participants are in the experimental or control group to eliminate placebo effects and experimental bias.

Researcher Bias

When the experimenter's knowledge or prejudices influence how they watch or judge participants' behavior, potentially favoring their own claims.

Standardized Instructions and Procedures

Ensuring all participants receive the exact same instructions and the experiment is conducted in the same way (e.g., using a script) to remove bias.

Controlled Variable

Variables that are held constant throughout an experiment so their impact is accounted for and they are not the cause of the observed change.