Statistical Reasoning, Research Design, and Ethics in Psychology

Vocabulary flashcards covering statistical reasoning, measures of central tendency and variation, research methods, and ethical guidelines in psychological research.

Descriptive Statistics

Statistical measures used to organize and describe the characteristics of a specific group being studied.

Inferential Statistics

Numerical data that allows researchers to generalize sample findings to a larger population and estimate the probability of results being true.

Mean

The arithmetic average of a data set.

Median

The midpoint score in a distribution where half the scores are above and half are below.

Mode

The most frequently occurring score in a data set.

Bimodal

A distribution that has $2$ distinct modes or most frequent scores.

Percentile Rank

The percentage of scores in a distribution that are less than a given score.

Range

A measure of variation calculated by subtracting the lowest score from the highest score in a distribution.

Standard Deviation

A computed measure of how much individual scores vary around the mean of a data set.

Normal Curve

A symmetrical, bell-shaped distribution curve where most scores cluster near the mean, with fewer scores near the extremes.

Statistical Significance

A statistical statement indicating how likely it is that an observed difference occurred by chance assuming no population difference.

P-value

A numerical measure indicating the probability of a result occurring by chance, considered statistically significant when $p < .05$.

Effect Size

A measure of the strength of the relationship between $2$ variables, indicating how much variation in one variable is explained by another.

Quantitative Methods

Research methods that collect numerical data to represent degrees or amounts of a variable.

Qualitative Methods

Research methods that collect in-depth narrative data, such as preset structured interviews.

Confederates

Fake participants used in experiments to create specific conditions without biasing genuine subjects.

Informed Consent

An ethical principle requiring researchers to provide potential participants with sufficient information to make a rational decision about participating.

Debriefing

The post-experimental explanation of a study, including its true purpose and any deceptions, given to participants upon completion.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

An ethics committee that must approve research proposals, consisting of at least $5$ members: $1$ scientist, $1$ non-scientist, and $1$ community representative.

British Psychological Society (BPS)

A professional body that established guidelines for housing laboratory animals under reasonably natural living conditions with social companions.

American Psychological Association (APA)

A professional organization specifying that animal research must ensure humane care, healthful conditions, and minimal discomfort.

Histogram

A graph that displays frequency distributions through vertical bars.

Scale Distortion in Graphs

A visual manipulation achieved by altering or truncating the vertical axis range to make small differences appear larger or smaller.