AP Psych FRQ Things to Know

These terms are all from Unit 0. We use them to define parts of the AAQ.

Mean

The average value of a set of numbers, calculated by adding all the values together and dividing by the total count of values.

Median

The middle value of a data set when the numbers are arranged in ascending or descending order. If there is an even number of values, the median is the average of the two middle numbers.

Mode

The value that appears most frequently in a data set. A set of numbers may have one mode, more than one mode, or no mode at all.

Statistical Significance

The likelihood that a result or relationship is caused by something other than mere random chance, often determined through hypothesis testing.

Skewness

A measure of the asymmetry of the probability distribution of a real-valued random variable, indicating whether data points tend to cluster to the left or right of the mean.

Effect Size

How meaningful the relationship between variables or the difference between groups is. A large _______ means that a research finding has practical significance, while a small _______ indicates limited practical applications.

Range

The difference between the highest and lowest values in a dataset, providing a measure of the spread or dispersion of the data.

Standard Deviation

A measure of the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of values, indicating how much the individual data points differ from the mean.

Percentile Rank

A measure indicating the percentage of scores in a distribution that fall below a given score, often used to understand the relative standing of an individual score within a dataset.

Correlational Coefficients

Statistical measures that describe the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables, commonly ranging from -1 to 1.

Informed Consent

A process by which participants are fully informed about the nature, risks, and benefits of a study before agreeing to participate, ensuring ethical research practices.

Debriefing

A procedure conducted after a study to explain the purpose and method to participants, addressing any deception and ensuring they leave without distress.

Confidentiality

The ethical principle of keeping participant information private and secure, ensuring that data is not disclosed without consent.

Protection of participants

The ethical obligation to ensure the physical and psychological well-being of research participants, minimizing harm and safeguarding their rights.

Withdrawal from investigation

The right of participants to discontinue their involvement in a research study at any point without penalty or loss of benefits.

Voluntary participation

The ethical principle that participants should freely choose to participate in a study without coercion, ensuring they are fully informed about the nature and purpose of the research. This can also be incentivized with payment or reward for participating.

Experiment

A research method used to determine cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating independent variables and observing the effects on dependent variables, while controlling for extraneous factors.

Correlation (study)

A research method that examines the relationship between two or more variables to identify whether they are associated, without implying causation.

Case study

A detailed analysis of an individual, group, or event to explore complex issues and gather in-depth insights, often used in clinical psychology and qualitative research.

Naturalistic observation

A research method that involves observing subjects in their natural environment without interference or manipulation, allowing for the study of behavior in real-life contexts.

Meta analysis

A statistical technique that combines the results of multiple studies to identify overall trends or effects, providing a more comprehensive understanding of a research topic.