8/18 HW: Introduction to Research Methods and Experiments

Aim

The purpose of a study, indicating what behavior or cognitive process is being investigated and in which population

Case Study

An in-depth investigation of a single individual, group, or event, often using multiple data collection methods

Confounding Variable

An uncontrolled variable that may affect the dependent variable and interfere with the interpretation of results

Control Group

The group in an experiment that does not receive the independent variable. Used as a baseline for comparison.

Controlled Variables

All variables that are kept constant to ensure that only the independent variable is affecting the dependent variable

Correlation

A measure of the relationship between two variables. It can be positive, negative, or zero

Correlational Study

A non-experimental study that examines the relationship between two or more variables without manipulating them

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable that is measured in an experiment to see the effect of the independent variable

Dual Coding Hypothesis

Proposed by Paivio (1971), this theory suggests that images are encoded in memory both as a visual image and a verbal label, making them easier to remember than text alone

Experimental Hypothesis

A prediction that the independent variable will have an effect on the dependent variable

Hypothesis

A testable statement that predicts the relationship between variables

Independent Samples Design

An experimental design where different participants are used in each condition of the experiment

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that is manipulated by the researcher to examine its effect on the dependent variable

Matched Pairs Design

An experimental design where participants are matched based on key characteristics, and one from each pair is placed in each condition

Null Hypothesis

A prediction that the independent variable will not affect the dependent variable, and any observed effect is due to chance

One-Tailed Hypothesis

A hypothesis that predicts the direction of the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable

Operationalization

Defining variables in practical, measurable terms so they can be studied empirically

7 Order Effects

Changes in participants’ performance due to the order in which experimental conditions are presented (example. practice, fatigue, etc)

Participant Variables

Individual differences among participants (example: age, intelligence) that could affect experimental results

Population

The larger group of individuals that the study's results aim to generalize to

Practice Effect

Improvement in performance resulting from repeated testing or exposure to the task

Procedure

The step-by-step process used to carry out a study, allowing for replication by other researchers

Qualitative Research

Research focusing on non-numerical data such as interviews, observations, or case studies to explore deeper meaning

Quantitative Research

Research based on numerical data and statistical analysis to test hypotheses and examine relationships

Quasi-Experiment

A study that looks like an experiment but lacks random assignment of participants to conditions

Random Allocation

The process of assigning participants to experimental conditions by chance to reduce bias

Repeated Measures Design

An experimental design in which the same participants are exposed to all conditions of the experiment

Replication

Repeating a study to test whether the original findings can be reliably reproduced

Research Design

The plan or structure of an experiment, detailing how the independent and dependent variables are organized and measured

Sample

The group of participants selected from the population for a study

Significance (Statistical)

A statistical result is considered significant if it is unlikely to have occurred by chance, usually indicated by a p-value less than 0.05

Standardization

Ensuring that all procedures are kept consistent across conditions to allow replication and reduce variability

Surveys/Questionnaires

Data collection tools used to gather information from participants, often used in correlational or descriptive research

Two-Tailed Hypothesis

A hypothesis that predicts the independent variable will have an effect but does not specify the direction of the effect

8 True Experiment

An experiment where the independent variable is manipulated, participants are randomly assigned to groups, and other variables are controlled