psychology vocab

Lab experiment

An experiment done under highly controlled conditions.

Field experiment

An experiment done in a natural setting. There is less control over variables.

true experiment

An IV is manipulated and a DV measured under controlled conditions. Participants are randomly allocated to conditions.

quasi experiment

No IV is manipulated and participants are not randomly allocated to conditions. Instead, it is their traits that set them apart

natural experiment

An experiment that is the result of a naturally occurring event.

Construct validity

how well a test or tool measures the concept or construct it is intended to measure.

Confounding variables

extra factor that could be influencing the results, making it difficult to know if the relationship you see is real or just due to this hidden variable.

Internal Validity

making sure that the cause-and-effect relationship found in a study is real and not influenced by other hidden factors.

External Validity

how well the results of a study can be generalized or applied to situations outside of the study itself.

Population validity

The extent to which findings can be generalized from the sample to the target population

Ecological validity

The extent to which the study’s setting and conditions are realistic and similar to everyday life.

Triangulation

A combination of different approaches to collecting and interpreting data

Method triangulation

Using various methods (interviews, observations, tests) to increase credibility

Data triangulation

Using data from a variety of accessible sources

Independent Measures Design

Participants are randomly allocated into groups and compared. We then manipulate the experimental conditions so that they are the same in the two groups except the IV

Matched Pairs Design

Instead of completely random allocation, researchers use matching to form the groups

Repeated Measures Design

Used when the goal is to compare conditions rather than groups of participants

Case Study

an in-depth investigation of a single person (or small group of people), often over long periods of time.

Structured Interviews

Only the questions on the protocol are asked

Semi-Structured Interviews

It is a guided conversation. Maintains some structure but provides the researcher with the chance to get more details

Unstructured Interviews

Only a few, if any, interview questions. Progress like a normal conversation

Informed Consent

All participants must be voluntarily participating in the study