Unit 1: Research Methodology

Hypothesis

predictions on how factors may be related

Operational Definition

specific procedure used to determine the presence of a variable

Independent Variable

the factor that is being manipulated

Dependent Variable

behavior or mental process that is being measured

Random Sample

every member of the sample has an equal chance of being selected

Stratified Sample

grouping a population into relatively homogeneous subgroups

Validity

extent to which an instrument measures or predicts what it is supposed to

Reliability

consistency or repeatability

Correlation Research

looks at the relationship between two variables without establishing a cause and effect relationship

Longitudinal Studies

conducting a study over time

Cross-Sectional Studies

observing at a single point in time a subset of a population

Case Study

an in depth examination of a specific group or single person that typically includes interviews, observations, and test scores

Controlled Study

An experiment or clinical trial in which two groups are used for comparison purpose

Quasi Experiment

similar to controlled experiment, except participants are not randomly selected

Experimental Group

receives treatment

Control Group

part of the experiment but doesn't receive treatment

Double Blind Experiment

the experimenter and the participants don't know of group placement

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

a prediction that directly or indirectly comes true

Field Experiment

conducted out in the environment not in a lab

Surveys

use of questionnaires or interviews to ask a large number of people about behaviors, thoughts, and attitudes

Confounding Variables

differences between the experimental and the control group(s) other than those that result from the independent variable

Measures of Central Tendency

average or most typical scores for a set of research data or distribution

Mean

arithmetic average of a set of scores

Mode

most frequently occurring number

Median

middle score in a distribution

Normal Distribution

a normal or "bell curve"

Positively Skewed

scores that are skewed to the right

Negatively Skewed

scores that are skewed to the left

APA Ethical Guidelines

-informed consent

-no harm or discomfort

-confidentiality

-disclosure of results

Range

largest score minus the smallest score

Measures of Variability

is used to describe the amount of variability or spread in a set of data. Common ones are IQR and range

Standard Deviation

compare scores that are on a different scale

Statistical Significance

it is when data is within the designated p value. Didn't happen by chance or luck

Experimenter Bias

when the researcher's expectations or preferences about the outcome of the study influence the result

Placebo and Placebo Effect

Placebo- subjects are given an imitation of the treatment

Placebo effect- subjects believe they are feeling the effects of treatment

Percentile Score

indicates percentage of scores at or below a particular score

Correlation Coefficient

statistical relationships between two or more random variables or observed data values

Hawthorne Effect

improvement of behavior when subject knows it is being watched, not due to manipulation of experiment

Scatter Diagram

paired X and Y scores for each subject are plotted as single points on a graph

Histogram

a bar graph of frequency distribution

Frequency Distribution

line graph that uses a line to connect single points

Structuralism

understand the parts, to understand the whole (Edward Titchener)

Functionalism

How does the mind fulfill its purpose? (William James)

Pragmatism

testing truth by its practical consequences

Gestalt Psychology

perception based; how the parts and the whole are perceived and changed

Biological Approach

body and behavior

Behavioral Genetics

behaviors and the links to genetically based psychological characteristics

Behavioral Approach

observable behaviors (Skinner)

Cognitive Approach

encoding, processing, storing, and retrieving information

Humanist

free will and awareness of human condition (Maslov)

Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic

levels of the mind (Froy)

-conscious

preconscious

-sub/unconscious

Socio-Cultural

the individual and environmental context

Neuroscience

brain and nervous system interaction with senses, memory, thoughts, and emotions

Trait

behavior and personality result from enduring psychological characteristics

Counseling Psychologist

advanced degrees; deals with less severe mental health issues

Psychoanalyst

Freudian methods, may or may not be Med. or Ph.d

Clinical or psychiatric social workers

earned Master's degree and are certified with state

Pastal counselors

clergy therapy training; typically family and marriage counseling

Experiment

systematic manipulation of variables under controlled conditions and observing the response

Codependent Variables

when 2 variables must be present together and could effect outcome

Demand Characteristics (subject bias)

clues participants discover about the experiment

Ex Post Facto

looks at an effect to seek the cause

Test Method

procedures used to measure attributes of individuals at a particular time and place

Descriptive Statistics

numbers that summarize a set of research data obtained from a sample

Inferential Statistics

used to interpret data and draw conclusions

Frequency Polygon

line graph that uses a line to connect single points

P-value

statistic that is equal or less than significance level (p less than or equal to .05%)

Archival Research

collecting data based on institutional records

Physiological Recording

using instruments to record various biological responses (brain waves, blood pressure, etc)