Myers' Psychology for the AP® Course Research Methods Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms and definitions from Unit 0 of Myers' Psychology for the AP® Course, focusing on research methods and experimental design.

social desirability bias

From people's responding in ways they presume a researcher expects or wishes.

self-report bias

Bias when people report their behavior inaccurately.

sampling bias

A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample.

random sample

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.

population

All those in a group being studied, from which random samples may be drawn. (Note: Except for national studies, this does not refer to a country's whole population.)

critical thinking

Thinking that does not automatically accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

hindsight bias

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it. (Also known as the I-knew-it-all-along phenomenon.)

peer reviewers

Scientific experts who evaluate a research article's theory, originality, and accuracy.

theory

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events.

hypothesis

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.

falsifiable

The possibility that an idea, hypothesis, or theory can be disproven by observation or experiment.

operational definition

A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures (operations) used in a research study. (Also known as operationalization.)

replication

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding can be reproduced.

case study

A non-experimental technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

naturalistic observation

A non-experimental technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.

survey

A non-experimental technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group.