Research Methods

Experimental methodology

Systemic approach designed to be carried out under controlled conditions, with the goal of being able to test a hypothesis and establish a cause-effect relationship

Non-experimental methodology

Used in research where a controlled experiment is not possible or ethical. Just describe

Case study

Examines an individual, group of people, event, or situation to provide information about topic of interest

Hawthorne effect

The subject alters their behavior because they are aware they are being observed

Correlational studies

Researchers gain insight into the relationship between two variables and the strength of it (NOT CAUSATION which is controlled experiment)

Third variable problem

an outside variable impacts the study

Meta-analysis

Combines results of multiple studies on same topic to reach a conclusion

Naturalistic observation

Researchers observe individuals in a real world setting to try to gather authentic data

Hypothesis

specific, testable prediction between two or more variables

Theory

supported by data from research that has been completed and explains a specific question, thought, or phenomena

operational definitions

Outline the exact procedures used in the study and outlines how the variables are measured or manipulated in the study

independent variable

what is manipulated by the researcher

dependent variable

outcome that is measured in the study

confounding variables

factors other than the independent variable that could impact the dependent variable

population

the entire group that the research is studying

sample

the selected group of individuals from a population that has been selected to represent the population in the study

random sampling

when each individual in a population has an equal chance of participating

stratified sampling

when the population is divided into different subcategories and a random sample is taken from each subcategory

representative sample

the sample group in the study represents all the different people in the population

sampling bias

when the sampling group that is representing the population in the study does not represent the entire population

convenience sampling

when individuals are selected to participate in a study based on their availability

generalizability

the extent to which the findings of a study can be applied to the larger population

experiment group

the group in an experiment that receives the independent variable

control group

the group that receives a placebo (as close to independent variable as possible without receiving the independent variable)

random assignment

participants are randomly chosen to be part of the control or experimental group

quasi-experiment

does not include the random assignment of participants. It cannot determine cause and effect

single-blind procedure

when participants in the study do not know if they are the control group or experimental group to prevent bias

placebo effect

when an individual’s condition has improved because they think they are taking the real thing, even though they are taking a fake

double-blind procedure

both participants and researchers don’t know who’s in control versus experimental group

qualitative measures

non-numerical data that provide descriptive insights into participants thoughts, feelings, behaviors

quantitative measures

collect numerical data that could be used to statistically analyze different relationships and patterns

Likert scale

participants rate their agreement with statements on a scale to provide the researcher with quantifiable data on the participants attitudes or opinions

informed consent

researchers must give adequate information to the participants so they understand the risks of the study and can make a rational decision

informed assent

the participant cannot legally provide full consent on their own, typically because they are a minor

American Psychological Association

governing board to study behaviors

Institutional Review Board

protect human participants during a study. They look at proposed studies with humans and reject if they feel people are not being protected

IACUC (international animal care and use committee)

regulates and oversees animal care and research, teaching and testing with animals, and creates ethical standards that must be followed by all researchers

peer review

other experts in the field evaluate outcome of the research including data, methodology and conclusions before it is published

replication

other individuals check the findings and verify the results