Cogs 14a midterm 2 study guide

Identify a topic

Determine an area of interest or a research question in the research process.

Literature reviews

Conducting reviews to gather existing knowledge about a research topic.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction developed during the research process.

Independent variable

A factor that is manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent variable

A factor that is measured in response to changes in the independent variable.

Empirical evidence

Data collected through experiments, surveys, or observations.

Statistical methods

Techniques used to analyze and interpret data.

Ecological validity

The extent to which findings apply to real-world settings.

External validity

The ability to generalize findings to different populations or conditions.

Blind Review

Preventing experimenter bias by keeping analysts unaware of study conditions.

APA format

A style guide for scientific communication including sections like Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion.

Peer-reviewed journals

Academic publications that review submitted articles for quality before publication.

Field Studies

Observing behavior in natural environments without manipulation.

Surveys

Tools for collecting qualitative and quantitative responses from subjects.

Longitudinal Studies

Research that tracks changes in individuals or groups over time.

Case Studies

In-depth analyses focusing on unique individuals with specific traits.

Experimental methods

Research methods involving direct manipulation of independent variables.

Reaction Time Studies

Research focusing on measuring cognitive processing speed.

Eye Tracking

Technique to analyze gaze patterns and attention using infrared cameras.

EEG

A method of recording brain wave activity to study neural processes.

ERP

Averages of EEG responses time-locked to specific stimuli.

MEG

A technique measuring magnetic fields produced by neural activity.

CT

A structural imaging technique using X-rays to visualize the brain.

PET

Imaging technique tracking metabolic activity using radioactive tracers.

fMRI

A technique measuring blood oxygen levels to infer brain activity.

DTI

A method for mapping white matter pathways in the brain.

Tuskegee Syphilis Study

An unethical study that observed disease progression without providing treatment.

Henrietta Lacks

A case involving the unauthorized use of cells from a woman for research.

Project MKUltra

CIA-funded experiments involving mind control and drug testing.

Nuremberg Code

Established voluntary consent as a requirement for research.

Belmont Report

Defined essential ethical research principles: respect, beneficence, and justice.

Institutional Review Boards (IRB)

Committees ensuring adherence to ethical standards in research.

Boolean Search Methods

Techniques for refining searches using 'AND', 'OR', and 'NOT'.

Citations

References that prevent plagiarism and acknowledge sources.

Operational Definitions

Defining abstract concepts through measurable variables.

Population

The entire group of interest in research.

Sample

A subset of the population used for research.

Parameter

A numerical characteristic of a population.

Statistic

An estimate derived from a sample.

Sampling Error

The differences between population parameters and sample statistics.

Normal Distribution

A symmetrical, bell-shaped curve where data values cluster around the mean.

Nominal Scale

Categorical measurement without inherent order.

Ordinal Scale

An ordered measurement scale without equal intervals.

Interval Scale

Ordered scale with equal spacing but no true zero.

Ratio Scale

Interval scale with a meaningful zero point.

Mean

The arithmetic average of a dataset.

Median

The middle value of a dataset, used for skewed distributions.

Mode

The most frequently occurring value in a dataset.

Variance

A measure indicating the spread of values around the mean.

T-Test

A statistical test comparing two means to find significant differences.

ANOVA (F-Test)

A statistical test comparing means across multiple groups.

Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient

A measure ranging from -1 to +1 indicating the strength and direction of linear relationships.

Regression Analysis

A method for predicting dependent variables based on independent variables.