Top 25 Questions and Concepts for Exam Review

Flashcards covering key concepts, definitions, and details for exam preparation.

What type of claim is: 'Students who sleep more have higher GPAs'?

Association

What is required for a causal claim?

Experiment + random assignment + control of confounds

What does a correlation of r = −.70 mean?

Strong negative relationship

Why can’t correlation prove causation?

Directionality + third variable problems

What is a third variable?

A variable that explains the relationship between two others

What does internal validity mean?

No alternative explanations (no confounds)

What is a confound?

A variable that varies with the IV and creates another explanation

What prevents selection effects?

Random assignment

Difference between sampling and assignment?

Sampling = who is in study; Assignment = which group they go in

What is external validity?

Generalizability

What is construct validity?

Are we measuring the correct concept?

What is statistical validity?

Are the stats accurate?

What does p < .05 mean?

Results unlikely due to chance

What is an outlier?

Extreme data point that can distort results

What is restriction of range?

Limited data weakens correlation

What does regression do?

Controls for third variables

What is a criterion variable?

Outcome variable

What is a predictor variable?

Variable used to predict outcome

What does beta (β) show?

Strength + direction in regression

What are the 3 causal criteria?

Covariance, temporal precedence, internal validity

What is maturation threat?

Behavior changes naturally over time

What is history threat?

External event affects results

What is attrition threat?

Participants drop out

What is a placebo effect?

Improvement due to belief, not treatment

What is an interaction effect?

Effect of one variable depends on another

Correlation or experiment if variables are manipulated?

Experiment

IV or DV: measured outcome?

DV

Positive or negative: both variables increase?

Positive

Which validity = cause-effect?

Internal validity

Which validity = generalization?

External validity

What fixes selection bias?

Random assignment

What problem = can’t tell which came first?

Directionality

What problem = third variable?

Third variable problem

Survey or observation: watching behavior?

Observation

Self-report problem: people lie?

Social desirability bias

Sampling type: easiest people?

Convenience sampling

Experiment design: same participants in all conditions?

Within-subjects

What prevents order effects?

Counterbalancing

What does regression control?

Third variables

What design tests multiple IVs?

Factorial design

What effect = depends on another variable?

Interaction effect

What is a confound?

Alternative explanation

What is reliability?

Consistency

What is validity?

Accuracy

What is the MOST important experiment rule?

Internal validity