Psych U1 "Research"

Science

a systematic method or process of studying the world to gain better understanding of it

Hypothesis

testable prediction that describes a relationship that may exist between events

Theory

larger integrated set of principles that explain and predict observed events

The Scientific Method

Question > Research > Hypothesis > Experiment/Study > Facts & Observations > Analysis > Conclusion

Measurement

assignment of #s to objects or events according to specific predescribed rules

Conceptual Variable

abstract ideas/constructs that are the basis of research (stress)

Self-report measures

gaining info about a person by directly asking them

Observational measures

gaining info by observing actions and behavior of people (w or w/out their knowledge)

Psychophysiological measures

designed to measure and assess the physiological functioning of nervous and endocrine system

Samples

subset/selection of people chosen to represent a larger population

Biased Sample

characteristics of the sample are systematically different from population

Correlational Study

study of naturally occurring relationships among variables

Experiments

studies that control and measure variables to determine a cause/effect relationship

Independent Variable (IV)

one that’s manipulated

Dependent Variable (DV)

one that’s expected to change bc of IV manipulation; the one that’s measured

Random Assignment

ensures that participants assigned to different levels of IV are equivalent before manipulation