Developmental Research – Class 2

VOCABULARY flashcards covering key terms from the Developmental Research lecture notes.

Research

A systematic process guided by accepted procedures to establish credibility, including reviewing existing information, formulating hypotheses or research questions, collecting data, analyzing data, and interpreting results.

Scientific Research

Systematic, objective, and testable inquiry.

Construct

A covert, unobservable concept inferred from observable behavior; defined by the activities used to measure or manipulate it.

Operational Definition

A specific procedure or measurement used to observe or manipulate a construct.

Hypothesis

A narrow, testable prediction about the relationship between two variables.

Theory

A broad, well-established explanation for an occurrence based on substantiated data and repeated testing; used to make predictions.

Quantitative Data

Numeric data collected in research.

Qualitative Data

Non-numeric, descriptive data collected in research.

Random Sampling

A method of selecting participants from a population to participate; aims for representativeness; each individual has an equal chance of selection.

Random Assignment

A method of placing participants into groups in an experiment so that each participant has an equal probability of being in any group.

Independent Variable

The variable that researchers deliberately manipulate.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured to assess the effect of the independent variable.

Experimental Group

The group that receives the treatment or manipulation.

Control Group

The group that does not receive the treatment and serves as a baseline.

Extraneous Variables

Variables other than the IV that could affect the DV.

Confounding Variables

Variables that could offer alternative explanations for observed effects.

Descriptive Research

Research that describes a phenomenon or group without manipulation.

Case Study

An in-depth analysis of a single individual, group, or event.

Naturalistic Observation

Observation of behavior in the natural environment; high ecological validity, but the presence of an observer may influence behavior.

Interviews

Direct conversations with individuals to gather information.

Psychological Assessment

Evaluating an individual's psychological characteristics using standardized tools.

Secondary Analysis

Analyzing existing data collected for a different purpose.

Correlational Research

Examines relationships between two or more variables without manipulation; correlation does not imply causation.

Positive Correlation

A relationship in which both variables tend to move in the same direction (increase together or decrease together).

Negative Correlation

A relationship in which one variable tends to increase as the other decreases.

Cross-sectional Design

A study at a single point in time comparing participants of different ages; cannot examine change over time.

Longitudinal Design

A study that measures the same individuals repeatedly over time to examine development.

Sequential Design

A research design that combines cross-sectional and longitudinal elements to examine cohort effects.

Internal Validity

The extent to which observed effects are due to the manipulated variable rather than confounds.

Falsifiable

A claim that can be tested and potentially proven wrong with evidence; essential for scientific claims.