Chapter 1 - Learning, Teaching, and Educational Psychology

Teachers Sense of Efficacy

a teacher's belief that he or she can reach even the most difficult students and help them learn

educational psychology

The discipline concerned with teaching and learning processes; applies the methods and theories of psychology and has its own as well.

Descriptive Studies

Studies that collect detailed information about specific situations, often using observation, surveys, interviews, recordings, or a combination of these methods.

correlation

statistical description of how closely two variables are related

positive correlation

a relationship between two variables in which both variables either increase or decrease together

negative correlation

a relationship between two variables in which a high value on one is associated with low value in the other

experimentation

research method in which variables are manipulated and the effects recorded

participants/subjects

people or animals being studied

random

without any definite pattern; following no rule

statistically significant

not likely to be a chance occurence

single-subject experimental studies

systematic interventions to study effects with one person, often by applying and then withdrawing a treatment

ethnography

a descriptive approach to research that focuses on life within a group and tries to understand the meaning of events to the people

participant observation

a method for conductive descriptive research in which the researcher becomes a participant in the situation in order to better understand life in that group

longitudinal studies

studies that occur in subjects over time, often many years

cross-sectional studies

studies that focus on groups of subjects at different ages rather than following the same group for many years

microgenetic studies

detailed observation and analysis of changes in a cognitive process as the process unfolds over several days or weeks

qualitative research

exploratory research that attempts to understand the meaning of events to the particpants involved using such methods as case studies, interviews, ethnography, participant observation, and other approaches that focus on a few people in depth.

quantitative research

research that studies many participants in a more formal and controlled way using objective measures such as experimentation, statistical analyses, tests, and structured observations.

evidence-based practice in psychology. (EBPP)

practices that integrate the best available research with the insights of expert practitioners and knowledge of the characteristics, culture, and preferences of the client.

action research

systematic observations or tests of methods that teachers or schools conduct to improve teaching and learning for their students

principle

established relationship between factors

hypothesis

theory integrated statement of principles that attempts to explain a phenomenon and make predictions

empirical

based on systematically collected data

clinical interviews

use open-ended questions to understand an individual’s thinking

case studies

investigate one person/case in depth