science practices unit 0

Regression to the mean

Tendency for extreme scores to fall back towards the average

Effect sizes

Qualitative measure of the magnitude of the experimental effect

Statistical significance

The likelihood that a result or relationship is caused by something other than mer chance

Standard deviation

A measure of the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of values

Normal curve

Asymmetric bell shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data

Statistics

Branch of mathematics dealing with data collection, analysis interpretation, and presentation

Random sample

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

Experimental method

Method involving manipulation and controlled test testing of variables

Positive skew

When a distribution includes more low scores

Empirical evidence

Information acquired by observing or experimental

Scientific method

Systematic procedure of gathering data and testing hypothesis

inferential statistics

Statistics that infer the properties of a population

Meta analysis

A procedure for statistically, combining the results of many different research studies

bimodal distribution

A distribution with two different modes, which may appear as distinct peaks

Percentile rank

The representative of scores in its frequency distribution that are equal to or lower than it

Negative skew

When a distribution includes more high scores

Range

Difference between the highest and lowest values in a data set

Mode

Most frequently occurring value in a data set

Median

Middle value in a data set

Mean

Average of a day set

Measure of central tendency

A number that describes the center of a data set

Descriptive statistics

Statistics that summarize data from a sample

Debriefing

Explaining the purpose and methods of a completed procedure to a participant

Deception

Misleading participants about the true purpose of a study

Confidentiality

Keeping private information confidential

Informed asset

Agreement by a minor or adult not able to give legal consent to participate in research

Informed consent

Agreement to participate in psychology research after being informed of the risk and benefits

Institutional review boards

Groups that review research to ensure that ethical standards are met

Generalizability

The extent to which findings can be applied to the larger population

Sample bias

Errors that occur in the sample in the sample selection leading to a non-representative samples

Sample

A portion of the population chosen for a study or a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of a population as a whole

Double blind study

Neither participants nor researchers know who is in the experimental or control group

Single blind study

Where participants do not know which group they’re in

Experimenter bias

When researchers expectations influence the outcome of a study

Placebo effect

Improvement resulting from the mirror, expectation of improvement

Random assignment

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance

Experimental group

The group in an experiment that receives the variable being tested

Control group

The group in experiment that does not receive the variable being tested

Operational definitions

Clear, precise descriptions of variables

Confounding variable

Variable that might influence the experiments outcome unexpectedly

Dependent variable

Variable that is measured to see the effect of the independent variable

Independent variable

Variable that is manipulated in an experiment

Negative correlation

One variable increases as the other decreases

Positive correlation

When variables increase or decrease together

Correlation coefficient

Numeral measure of the type and degree of the relationship between two variables

Third variable problem

A compound a variable that influences both variables interest

Correlational research

Research determining the relationship between variables

Case study

Study of a single subject or group in detail

Naturalistic observation

Observing subjects in their natural environment

Social desirability bias

A tendency to give socially approved answers

Wording effect

Changes in response caused by word choices in questions

Survey technique

Research method involving asking questions to gather data

Structured interview

interviews following a sequence of questions

Likert scales

Skills used to represent people’s attitudes to a topic

Qualitative data

Observing data which can be observed, but not measured

Quantitative data

Data that can be quantified and verified and is susceptible to statistical manipulation

The American psychological association

Leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the US

Validity

Accuracy of a test in measuring what it is supposed to measure

Republication

Repeating a study to test it’s findings

Peer review

Evaluation of work by others in the same field

Falsifiable

Capable of being proven wrong

Hypothesis

A testable prediction often derived from a theory

Overconfidence

Overestimate the accuracy of knowledge and judgments

Hindsight bias

Believing events were predictable after they happened

Confirmation bias

Favoring information that confirms your beliefs

Psychology

The science of behavior and mental processes