Psychology Research Methods: Experimental, Correlational, and Ethical Principles

experimental

the researcher manipulates an independent variable and randomly assigns participants to conditions

non-experimental

Without the use of a comparison or control group, has little control over the factors that affect the validity of the results.

case study

one individual case is studied in great detail

naturalistic observation

observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without controlling the situation

meta-analysis

Statistical analysis combining results from multiple studies

correlation studies

a research method that describes and predicts how variables are naturally related

negative correlation

as one goes up, the other goes down

positive correlation

as one goes up, so does the other

illusory correlation

the perception of a relationship where none exists

experimental methodology

a manipulated independent variable and random assignments to conditions

operational definitions

specific explanations of the procedure a a researcher will take to study

independent variable

variable that is manipulated

dependent variable

The measurable effect, outcome, or response in which the research is interested.

confounding variables

factors that cause differences between the experimental group and the control group other than the independent variable

random selection

drawing participants from the population so each member has an equal chance of being chosen

random assigment

assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance

experimental group

the group receiving treatment

control group

the group not receiving treatment

placebo

an inactive substance or procedure made to look identical to the real treatment

single-blind

Participants don't know which group they're in.

double-blind

participants and researchers do not know the groupings

the survey technique

a questionnaire or set of interview questions used to obtain self-reported attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors

structured interview

qualitative; every participant is asked the same open-ended questions in the same order

Likert scale

quantitative; participants rate agreement on a fixed numeric scale

wording bias

a question is phrased to push people towards a certian answer

social desirability bias

people answer in a way that makes them look good

self-report bias

people are often inaccurate self reporters, even when they are trying to be honest

institutional review (IRB)

was the study approved before it began?

informed consent/assent

did participants agree, knowing what was involved?

protection from harm

were participants shielded from physical and mental harm?

Confidentiality

was participant information kept private or anonymous?

deception

was deception used, and was it justified?

debreifing

were participants fully informed afterwards?