PSYC100 slides 8

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to research designs and methods discussed in PSYC100 lecture notes.

Descriptive methods

Research methods used to describe what is occurring, including observational studies, self-reports, and case studies.

Correlational methods

Research methods used to test the relationship between factors or variables.

Experimental methods

Research methods used to investigate what causes an outcome by manipulating an independent variable.

Observational studies

A type of descriptive research method where researchers observe and record behavior without intervention.

Self-reports

A type of descriptive research method where individuals provide information about themselves, often through surveys or interviews.

Case studies

A type of descriptive research method involving an in-depth investigation of a single individual, group, or event.

Operational definition

A precise statement of how a variable is measured or manipulated in a study.

Correlation coefficient

A numerical value, typically ranging from -1.0 to +1.0, that indicates the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables.

Perfect positive correlation

A correlation coefficient of +1.0, indicating that as one variable increases, the other variable increases proportionally.

Perfect negative correlation

A correlation coefficient of -1.0, indicating that as one variable increases, the other variable decreases proportionally.

No correlation

A correlation coefficient of 0, indicating no linear relationship between two variables.

Directionality Problem

A challenge in correlational studies where it is unclear which of two related variables is the cause and which is the effect.

Third Variable Problem

A challenge in correlational studies where an unmeasured third variable may be responsible for the observed relationship between two other variables.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that an experimenter manipulates to observe its effect on an outcome.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable that is measured in an experiment, expected to change as a result of the independent variable manipulation.

Experimental Group

The group in an experiment that is exposed to the specific condition or treatment of the independent variable being tested.

Control or Comparison Group

The group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment or manipulation of the independent variable, used as a baseline for comparison.

Random Assignment

The process of assigning participants to experimental or control groups randomly to ensure that groups are equivalent at the start of the study.

Population of interest

The entire group of individuals that a researcher is interested in studying and drawing conclusions about.

Sample

A subset of individuals selected from the population of interest to participate in a research study.

Confounds

Extraneous variables that systematically vary with the independent variable and could offer an alternative explanation for the observed results in an experiment.

Validity

The extent to which a research design accurately measures what it intends to measure or draws sound conclusions.