Ch. 4: The Methods and Ethics of Research

Ch. 4 of Garrett 6e Brain and Behavior

Ablation

Removal of brain tissue.

Adoption Study

A technique for studying the roles of heredity and environment by comparing the similarity of adopted children to their biological parents with their similarity to their adoptive parents.

Antisense RNA

A technology that temporarily disables a targeted gene or reduces its effectiveness.

Autoradiography

A technique for identifying brain structures involved in an activity using a radioactive substance absorbed by more active neurons.

Computed Tomography (CT)

An imaging technique that produces a series of X-rays taken from different angles.

Concordance Rate

The proportion of cases in which a pair of related individuals shares a characteristic.

Correlation

The degree to which two variables are related, measured by the correlation coefficient.

Correlational Study

A study determining whether two variables are related without controlling an independent variable.

Deception

In research, failing to tell participants the exact purpose of the research.

Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)

A variant of MRI that measures movement of water molecules to image brain pathways.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A measure of brain activity recorded from electrodes on the scalp.

Event-Related Potential

An EEG technique for measuring the brain’s responses to brief stimulation.

Experimental Study

A study in which the researcher manipulates an independent variable.

Fabrication

Deliberately falsifying, altering, or manipulating data or results in research.

Family Study

A technique for studying heredity and environment by assessing shared characteristics among relatives.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

A brain-imaging procedure measuring brain activation through blood flow changes.

Gene Therapy

Treatment of a disorder by manipulating genes.

Genetic Engineering

Manipulation of an organism’s genes or their functioning.

Gene Transfer

Insertion of a gene from another organism into a recipient’s cells.

Golgi Stain

A staining method that randomly stains about 5% of neurons for individual visibility.

Immunocytochemistry

A procedure for labeling cellular components using a dye attached to an antibody.

Informed Consent

Voluntary agreement to participate in a study after receiving full information.

In Situ Hybridization

A procedure for locating gene activity using complementary radioactive DNA strands.

Knockdown Technique

A genetic engineering technique that reduces a gene’s activity.

Knockout Technique

A genetic engineering technique inserting a nonfunctioning gene mutation.

Lesioning

Surgical damage to neural tissue using various methods.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An imaging technique measuring radio-frequency waves to form detailed images.

Messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA)

A copy of DNA that moves out of the nucleus to direct protein construction.

Myelin Stain

A staining method that identifies neural pathways by staining fatty axon insulation.

Nissl Stain

A staining method that stains cell bodies.

Plagiarism

The theft or unauthorized use of another’s work or ideas.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

An imaging technique revealing brain function by measuring radioactive substance uptake.

Scanning Electron Microscope

A microscope that forms a three-dimensional image using emitted electrons.

Stereotaxic Instrument

A device for precise positioning in the brain of an electrode or device.

Theory

A system of statements that explains some phenomenon by integrating observations.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

A noninvasive stimulation technique using a magnetic coil on brain tissue.

Transmission Electron Microscope

A magnification system forming images by passing electrons through a tissue slice.

Twin Studies

A technique for studying heredity and environment by assessing similarity between twins.