AP Psychology Final Exam

Peer Reviewers

Other scientists who are experts evaluates a study’s theory’s, originality, and accuracy.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.

Falsifiable

The possibility that an idea, hypothesis, or theory can be proven by observation or experiment.

Operational definitions

Carefully worded statement of the exact procedures (operations) 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 finding can be reproduced.

Case Study

Non-experimental technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Naturalistic Observation

Non-experimental technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.

Meta-analysis

A statistic technique that combines the results of multiple studies to draw a broader conclusion about a research question.

Social-desirability bias

Bias from people responding in ways they presume a researcher expects wishes.

Self-report bias

People give wrong or fake answers on surveys or tests about themselves.

Experimenter Bias

Cognitive bias that occurs when experimenters allow their expectations, circumstances, beliefs, and/or subconscious conditioning to affect their interpretation of observations.

Random Sample

Sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.

Convenience Sampling

A type of non-probability sampling in which people are sampled simply because they are "convenient" sources of data for researchers.

Representative Sample

A smaller group sample that represents the characteristics of a larger population.

Survey

A research tool used to collect self-reported data from a sample of people

Population

The complete group of people or animals that a researcher wants to study and learn about

Sample

A smaller group of participants chosen from a larger target population.

Sampling bias

A study's participants are chosen in a way that does not fairly represent the entire target population.