Research terms

Correlational research

Research that examines relationships between variables without proving cause and effect

Purpose of correlational research

To determine whether two variables are related

Positive correlation

When two variables increase or decrease together

Negative correlation

When one variable increases while the other decreases

Zero correlation

When there is no relationship between two variables

Correlation does not equal causation

A relationship between variables does not prove one causes the other

Third variable problem

An outside variable may be causing both related variables

Observational research

Research where behavior is watched and recorded without changing anything

Purpose of observational research

To study natural behavior in real-life settings

Naturalistic observation

Observing behavior in a normal environment without interference

Participant observation

When the researcher becomes part of the group being studied

Strength of observational research

Provides realistic behavior data from natural settings

Weakness of observational research

Cannot determine cause and effect and may include observer bias

Observer bias

When a researcher’s expectations affect what they notice or record

Survey research

A method that collects self-report data using questionnaires or interviews

Purpose of survey research

To gather information about attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, or experiences

Self-report data

Information participants give about themselves

Strength of survey research

Can collect large amounts of data quickly and efficiently

Weakness of survey research

Relies on honesty, memory, and accurate self-reporting

Sampling

The process of choosing participants for a study

Random sample

A sample where everyone in the population has an equal chance of being selected

Population

The entire group researchers want to study

Sample

A smaller group selected from the population

Experimental research

A research method where variables are manipulated to test cause and effect

Purpose of experimental research

To determine causality

Independent variable

The variable manipulated by the researcher

Dependent variable

The outcome being measured

Control group

The group that does not receive the treatment or manipulation

Experimental group

The group that receives the treatment or manipulation

Random assignment

Placing participants into groups by chance to reduce bias

Confounding variable

An outside factor that may affect the results of a study

Causality

When one variable directly causes a change in another