AP psych-research methods

Case study

An intensive, in-depth investigation of an individual, group, or particular situation over a period of time.

confidentiality

Confidentiality refers to the ethical principle or legal right that certain information shared within a relationship (e.g., between a client and a professional, or individuals in a private setting) will not be disclosed to unauthorized

Cofounding variables

factors that may affect the outcome in an experiment, making it difficult to determine the effect of the independent variable.

control group

A group of participants not exposed to the independent variable, used as a benchmark to measure the effects of the experimental treatment.

debriefing

The process that occurs after an experiment, where participants are informed about the study's purpose, procedures, and any deceptions involved, ensuring ethical standards are met.

deception research

A research method where participants are misled about specific aspects of the study to maintain the integrity of the data, requiring careful ethical considerations.

Dependent variables

The variables in an experiment that are measured to assess the effects of the independent variable; they depend on the conditions set by the researcher.

Double blind study

A type of experimental design where neither the participants nor the researchers know which group the participants belong to, reducing bias.

experiment

An experiment is a research method in which one or more independent variables are systematically manipulated by the researcher to observe their effects on one or more dependent variables. This is done under controlled conditions,

Falsifiability

that for a theory or hypothesis to be considered scientific, it must be capable of being proven false.

Generalizability

the degree to which you can apply the results of your study to a broader context

Hypothesis

an idea which is suggested as a possible explanation for a particular situation or condition, but which has not yet been proved to be correct.

independent variable

a variable that stands alone and isn't changed by the other variables you are trying to measure.

informed assent

an agreement by an individual not competent to give legally-valid informed consent

informed consent 

an agreement by an individual not competent to give legally-valid informed consent

institutional review board

protecting the welfare, rights, and privacy of human subjects.

likert scales

a measurement method used in research to evaluate attitudes, opinions and perceptions

naturalistic observation

a qualitative research method where you record the behaviors of your research subjects in real world settings. You avoid interfering or influencing anything in a naturalistic observation.

operational definitions

specifies how a concept or variable is measured and observed within a particular study.

placebo

a treatment that appears real, but is designed to have no therapeutic benefit.

placebo effect

The placebo effect is a fascinating phenomenon that occurs when a sham medical intervention causes improvement in a patient's condition because of the factors associated with the patient's perception of the intervention.

professional ethics

principles that govern the behaviour of a person or group in a business environment.

Qualitative research 

Qualitative research is a type of research that aims to gather and analyse non-numerical data in order to gain an understanding of individuals' social reality, including understanding their attitudes, beliefs

Quantitative research

Quantitative research deals in numbers, logic, and an objective stance. Quantitative research focuses on numeric and unchanging data and detailed,

random assignment

In experimental research, random assignment is a way of placing participants from your sample into different treatment groups using randomization.

replication

In psychology, replication is defined as reproducing a study to see if you get the same results.

single blind study

A type of clinical trial in which only the researcher doing the study knows which treatment or intervention the participant is receiving until the trial is over.

social desirability bias

a type of response bias that occurs when survey respondents provide answers according to society's expectations, rather than their own beliefs or experiences.

structured interviews

a standardized method of assessment in which the interviewer asks a predetermined set of questions as-written and records patient responses.

survey

a data collection tool used to gather information about individuals

theory

ideas that can explain certain aspects of human thoughts, behaviors, and emotions

validity

assumes that the test in question measures precisely what it aims to measure, meaning the data collected is accurate and represents some truth compared to others outside of the study.