Science Practices (Unit 0)

Experimental Research

A scientific approach used to study cause and effect relationships between variables

Operational definition

How a researcher will measure or manipulate a variable in a study

Dependent variable

Variable that's being measured

Independent variable

Variable that’s being manipulated

Confounding variable

Other factors that can influence a study’s result

Representative Sample

A subset of a larger population that accurately reflects the characteristics of that population

Random Sampling

A method of selecting participants for a study where every individual in the population has an equal chance of being chosen

Qualitative

A method that focuses on understanding human behaviors experiences, and social phenomena through non-numerical data

Quantitive

Focuses on collecting and analyzing numerical data to understand psychological phenomena

Case study

Unique / rare

Correlation

A statistical measurement that describes the strength and direction of relationships between two or more variables.

Meta-analysis

Researchers combine the findings from multiple studies to draw an overall conclusion

Naturalistic Observation

An observational method where researchers observe individuals behavior in their natural environment without intervention or manipulation