Modules 5+6

theory

theory

explains behaviors or events by offering ideas that organize what we have observed

hypothesis

a testable prediction, often implied by a theory

null hypothesis

states that there is no relationship between the two variables being studied

operational definition

a description of something in terms of the operations (procedures, actions, or processes) by which it could be observed and measured

PREVENTS BIAS

HELPS REPLICATION

replication

the repetition of a research study, generally with different situations and different subjects, to determine if the basic findings of the original study can be applied to other participants and circumstances

descriptive methods

describe behaviors, often by using case studies, surveys, or naturalistic observations

correlational methods

look at the relationship between different factors, or variables

experimental methods

manipulate variables to discover their effects

case study

a research approach that is used to generate an in-depth, multi-faceted understanding of a complex issue in its real-life context

naturalistic observation

observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

confirmation bias

the tendency to search, interpret, and recall information in a way that aligns with our pre-existing values, opinions, or beliefs

participant bias

consciously or unconsciously act the way they think the researcher wants them to, rather than responding naturally

longitudinal study

researchers repeatedly examine the same individuals to detect any changes that might occur over a period of time

cross-sectional study

a type of research design in which you collect data from many different individuals at a single point in time

survey

a series of questions asked to the respondents in order to understand their thought processes and mental state

wording effects

describes the possible effects on participants caused by the order of presented words or even the choice of the words themselves

sampling bias

errors that can occur in research studies by not properly selecting participants for the study

population

the total number of individuals (humans or other organisms) in a given geographical area

random sample

a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

positive correlation

means that the variables move in the same direction

negative correlation

means that the variables move in opposite directions

correlation coefficient

the statistical index of the relationship between two variables (-1.0 to +1.0, closer to either number = stronger correlation)

scatterplot

shows the relationship between two quantitative variables measured for the same individuals

correlation+causation

correlation = statistical association between variables, causation = a change in one variable causes a change in another variable

third variable problem

occurs when an observed correlation between two variables can actually be explained by a third variable that hasn't been accounted for

illusory correlations

the perception of a relationship where none exists

experimental group

 the group of participants who are exposed to the independent variable

control group

the group of participants who are not exposed to the experimental treatment

random assignment

assigning participants to an experimental or control group by chance to minimize preexisting differences between different groups

double-blind procedure

an experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant about the treatment that participants have received

placebo effect

when a person believes that the pill they are taking will have an effect because it is similar to something else

independent variable

manipulated by a researcher to investigate whether it consequently brings change in another variable

confounding variable

a third variable that might influence both the independent and dependent variables

dependent variable

the variable that changes as a result of the independent variable manipulation

validity

the extent to which a test or experiment measures or predicts what it is supposed to

experiment

a research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variable) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process