Video Notes: Psychology - Scientific Method and Research Methods

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on scientific methods, research designs, and ethics.

theory (in science)

A well-supported framework that explains observations and makes testable predictions.

preregistration

Public declaration of planned study design and hypotheses before data collection.

scientific method

Systematic process of observing, hypothesizing, testing, and evaluating evidence.

replication

Repeating a study to see if results hold across samples and settings.

meta-analysis

Statistical synthesis of results from multiple studies to draw a bottom-line conclusion.

case study

In-depth examination of one person or small group to reveal broader truths.

naturalistic observation

Observing behavior in natural settings without manipulation.

random sample

Sample in which every member of the population has an equal chance of selection.

correlation

Statistical measure of how two variables relate.

correlation coefficient

A statistical measure of the relationship between two things.

random assignment

Assigning participants to groups by chance to create equivalent groups.

illusory correlation

Perceiving a relationship where none exists or overstating its strength.

control group

Participants not exposed to the treatment; used as a baseline.

placebo effect

Improvements due to expectations of benefit rather than the treatment.

double-blind procedure

Neither participants nor researchers know who receives the treatment or placebo.

independent variable

The factor deliberately changed by the experimenter.

dependent variable

The outcome measured to assess the effect of the manipulation.

confounding variable

An extraneous factor that can influence the dependent variable and bias results.

descriptive research

Observes and records behavior to describe it without inferring causation.

correlational research

Examines relationships between variables to predict or associate.

experimental research

Manipulates variables to determine cause-and-effect relationships.