AP Psychology 0/2

0.3-The scientific method--0.4 correlation and experimentation

Case study

a non-experimental technique in which one individual or group is studied in the hope of revealing universal principles

Peer reviewers

scientific experts who evaluate a research articles theory, originality and accuracy

Theory

an explanation using and integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events

Hypotheses

a testable prediction often implied by a theory

falsifiable

the possibility that an idea, hypothesis or theory can be disproven by observation or experiment

operational definition

a carefully worded statement of the exact processes used in a research study

replication

repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations to see whether the basic findings can be reproduced

naturalistic observation

non-experimental technique of observing and recording behavior in a naturally occurring situation without trying to manipulate and control the situation

survey

a non-experimental technique for obtaining attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative random sample of a group

social desirability bias

bias from peoples responding in ways they presume a researcher expects or wishes

self-report bias

bias when people report their behavior inaccurately

sampling bias

a flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample

random sample

a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has equal chance of inclusion

population

all those in a group being studied, from which random samples may be drawn

Correlation

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other

Correlation coefficient

A statistical index of the relationship between two variables (from -1.00 to +1.00)

Variables

anything that can vary and is feasible and ethical

EX: how well do intelligence test scores predict career achievements? Variables: tests scores and career achievements

Scatter plot

a graphed cluster of dots, each of which represent the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between two variables

illusory correlation

perceiving a relationship where none exists, or perceiving a stranger than actual relationship

EX: Gamblers remembering past lucky rolls, may come to believe they influenced the foll of the dice by throwing gently for low numbers and hard for high numbers

Regression toward the mean

The tendency for extreme or unusual scores or events to fall back (regress) towards the mean

EX:outlier grades will usually regress towards the students average grades

Qualitative

uses qualities for research

How? and Why? subjective

Quantitative

data driven, concrete and objective

single blind

researcher knows which group gets the placebo, but the participant doesn't

double blind

neither the researcher nor participants know treatment groups/ who has the placebo. A third party presents the information after observations and conclusions are made

Longitudinal method

studying the same group at intervals over an extended period of time

EX: impact of high school attended on income

cross-sectional method

studying various groups at a given time

EX: surveying 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 year olds about their TV viewing

confounding variables

in an experiment, a factor other than the factor being studied that might influence a study’s results

control group

The group that comes from the random sample that is given the placebo, uses random assignment

Dependent Variable

in an experiment, the outcome that is measured, the variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated

Experimental group

the group in an experiment that receive or are subjected to the independent variable, uses random assignment

independent variables

factor manipulated to determine its effect

Placebo effect

experimental results caused by expectations alone; any affect on behavior caused by the administration of an insert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent