Vocab Week 3 — Pscyhology

Field study

a research method where scientists collect data by observing behavior in real-world settings rather than in a controlled laboratory

Retrospective study

a research design that observes the past to examine past experiences, behaviors, or events after outcomes are already known

Prospective study

a longitudinal study where researchers will follow and observe a group of subjects over a period of time to gather information and record the development of outcomes

Correlation

Correlational study

a non-experimental research design that measures two or more naturally occurring variables to see if a statistical relationship exists between them

Longitudinal research

a study designed where researchers collect data from the same participants or group repeatedly over an extended period

Internal validity

the extent to which a study demonstrates a casual relationship between the independent and dependent variables (cause-and-effect, outcome)

Construct validity

whether a test or study measures the psychological concept it claims to measure

External validity

the extent to which study findings can be generalized beyond the specific conditions of the experiment (populations, settings, times)

Reliability

refers to the consistency and dependability of research results over time

Ecological validity

refers to the degree to which research findings can be generalized to real-life settings

Extraneous variables

any factor in a research study that is not being investigated but could still affect the outcome

Confounding variables

an outside factor in a study that influences both the independent variable and the dependent variable, causing it to be difficult to know the true case of the results

Quasi experiment

a research study that looks for a cause-and-effect relationship, but does not use random allocation to place participants into different groups (uses pre-existing groups)

Natural experiment

refers to an independent variable that is environmental outside of the researcher’s control

Demand characteristics

cues in an experiment that unintentionally allow for participants to understand the study’s purpose/expected behaviors (participants may alter their behavior as a result)

Screw-You effect

when a participant discovers a research’s hypothesis, but intentionally acts to invalidate or destroy a study’s credibility

Expectancy effect

when the aim of a study is revealed to a participant and the participant attempts to assist the researcher validate the hypothesis by altering their behavior

Social desirability effect

when participants alter their behavior into what they feel is “socially acceptable,” and they know their being observed

Researcher bias

when a researcher’s beliefs, expectations, or preferences influence (consciously or unconsciously) the study’s design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation of results

Participant variability

the natural distinctions in individual characteristics among participants in a study that can influence results

Bidirectional ambiguity

a limitation in correlational studies where researchers cannot tell which variable is causing changes in the other