Psych pt 2

Unit 0 pt 2

mode

The most frequently occurring value in a dataset.

naturalistic observation

Observation of behavior in its natural context without interference or manipulation by the researcher.

normal curve

A symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that represents the distribution of scores in a population, with the mean, median, and mode all located at the center.

operational definitions

Precise descriptions of how variables in a study will be manipulated or measured. They specify the procedures used to define and measure concepts.

peer reviews

The evaluation of scientific, academic, or professional work by others in the same field to ensure its quality and validity before publication or presentation.

percentile rank

The percentage of scores in a distribution that are equal to or below a particular score.

placebo

An inactive substance or treatment that resembles the experimental treatment, used in research to control for the psychological effects of receiving treatment.

placebo effect

The phenomenon where individuals experience a change in their condition or behavior after receiving a placebo, due to their belief in the effectiveness of the treatment.

population

The entire group of individuals or cases that researchers are interested in studying and to which they intend to generalize their findings.

qualitative research

Research that focuses on gathering and analyzing non-numerical data, such as observations, interviews, or textual analysis, to understand meanings, experiences, or perspectives.

quantitative research

Research that focuses on gathering and analyzing numerical data to understand relationships, patterns, or trends.

random assignment

The process of assigning participants to experimental or control groups in a way that each individual has an equal chance of being placed in any group, reducing the likelihood of bias.

random sample

A sample in which every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected to participate in the study, increasing the generalizability of the findings.

range

The difference between the highest and lowest values in a dataset, representing the spread or dispersion of the data.

regression toward the mean

The tendency for extreme or unusual scores on a variable to move closer to the average or mean when measured again.

replicate

To repeat a research study or experiment to determine if the findings can be reliably reproduced.

sampling bias

A bias in which a sample is not representative of the population from which it is drawn, leading to inaccurate or ungeneralizable results.

scatterplot

A graphical representation of the relationship between two variables, where each data point represents an individual's score on both variables.

self-report bias

Inaccuracies or distortions in responses to surveys or questionnaires due to factors such as social desirability, memory recall, or misunderstanding of questions.

single-blind procedure

An experimental procedure in which either the participants or the researchers involved are unaware of who is assigned to the experimental or control group.

skewed distribution

A distribution of data in which the scores cluster more towards one end (positive skew) or the other end (negative skew) of the range, rather than being evenly distributed.

social desirability bias

The tendency for people to respond in a manner that they believe is socially acceptable or desirable, rather than providing honest or accurate answers.

standard deviation

A measure of the average distance of each data point from the mean of the dataset, indicating the degree of variability or dispersion in the data.

statistical significance

The likelihood that the results of a study are not due to chance, typically determined by comparing observed data with expected outcomes under the null hypothesis.

survey

A research method that involves collecting data from a population through the use of questionnaires or interviews to gather information about attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, or characteristics.

theory

A well-supported explanation for a phenomenon based on evidence, observation, and experimentation. It integrates and organizes a set of related principles or concepts.

validity

The extent to which a research study measures what it claims to measure or accurately reflects the concept or phenomenon being studied.

variable

Any factor or condition that can change or vary in a research study. Variables are typically categorized as independent or dependent.