AP PSYCH Scientific Method and Research Terms

What is the scientific method?

A systematic process of answering questions through observation and experimentation.

What is a theory?

A well-supported explanation of a phenomenon.

What is a hypothesis?

A testable prediction based on a theory.

What is an operational definition?

An exact way a variable is measured or defined in a study.

What is replication in research?

Repeating a study to confirm results.

What is an independent variable (IV)?

The variable that is manipulated (changed) in an experiment.

What is a dependent variable (DV)?

The variable that is measured (outcome) in an experiment.

What is a confounding variable?

An outside factor that affects the results of an experiment.

What is a control group?

The group that does not receive the treatment.

What is an experimental group?

The group that receives the treatment.

What is a placebo?

A fake treatment with no active effect.

What is the placebo effect?

A change in behavior due to belief in the treatment.

What is random assignment?

Assigning participants to groups by chance.

What is random sampling?

Selecting participants so the sample represents the population.

What is an experiment?

A method that determines cause and effect.

What is a correlational study?

A study that measures the relationship between variables (no causation).

What is a case study?

An in-depth analysis of one person or small group.

What is naturalistic observation?

Observing behavior in real-world settings.

What is a survey method?

Collecting data through questions/interviews.

What is a longitudinal study?

Studies the same group over a long period of time.

What is a cross-sectional study?

Compares different groups at one point in time.

What is a correlation coefficient (r)?

A number from -1 to +1 showing the strength/direction of a relationship.

What is a positive correlation?

Both variables increase or decrease together.

What is a negative correlation?

One variable increases while the other decreases.

What is no correlation?

No relationship between variables.

What is statistical significance (p-value)?

The likelihood that results are due to chance (usually p < .05).

What are descriptive statistics?

Statistics that summarize data (mean, median, mode).

What are inferential statistics?

Statistics that make conclusions about a population based on a sample.

What is reliability in research?

The consistency of results.

What is validity in research?

Whether a test measures what it is supposed to measure.

What is internal validity?

How well an experiment controls for confounds.

What is external validity?

How well results generalize to real life.

What is informed consent?

Participants agree to participate knowing the risks.

What is deception in research?

Misleading participants; allowed only when necessary and harmless.

What is debriefing in research?

Explaining the study after participation.

What is confidentiality in research?

Keeping participant data private.