Chapter 1: Research in the Behavioral Sciences – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Pages 21–50 of the lecture notes.

Behavioral sciences

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes in humans and other animals, using systematic methods to understand thought, emotion, and action.

Basic research

Research aimed at increasing knowledge about psychological processes without immediate concern for practical application.

Applied research

Research aimed at solving real-world problems using scientific methods.

Descriptive research

A research approach that describes behavior, thoughts, or emotions and patterns without necessarily explaining causes.

Correlational research

A research strategy that examines relationships between two or more variables but cannot establish causation.

Experimental research

A research design that manipulates an independent variable to observe its effect on a dependent variable under controlled conditions to test causal effects.

Quasi-experimental research

Research that resembles an experiment but lacks full experimental control over variables; often uses naturally occurring groups or lacks random assignment.

Public verification

The requirement that methods and results be publicly accessible so other researchers can observe, replicate, and verify findings.

Systematic empiricism

Relying on carefully planned, observable, and repeatable observations to draw conclusions, not on casual impressions.

Solvable problems

Questions that can be answered with current knowledge and research techniques; not beyond empirical reach.

Pseudoscience

Claims that masquerade as science but fail to meet essential criteria such as systematic observation, public verification, or solvable problems.

Non-systematic evidence

Evidence based on anecdotes, beliefs, or untested claims rather than on controlled observations.

Post hoc explanation

An explanation offered after a pattern is observed, often not testable or falsifiable and thus weak.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction derived from a theory or empirical generalization that can be tested with data.

Induction

Reasoning that derives hypotheses from observed facts or from prior research results rather than starting from theory.

Deduction

Reasoning from a general theory to specific, testable predictions (if-then statements).

Empirical generalization

A generalization derived from observed patterns, often before a formal theory explains them.

Theory

A set of propositions that explains the relationships among a set of concepts and is testable via hypotheses.

Model

A representation describing how concepts are related; describes relationships but may not explain why.

Conceptual definition

A dictionary-like definition of a construct; often necessary but not specific enough for research.

Operational definition

A precise specification of how a concept will be measured or manipulated in a study.

Replication

Repeating a study using the same procedures to verify results and detect errors.

File-drawer problem

Unpublished null results that bias the literature toward positive findings.

Falsification

The logical process of testing hypotheses so they could be proven false; central to scientific progress.

Strategy of strong inference

Head-to-head testing of competing theories to draw stronger conclusions about which theory is superior.

Context of discovery

Stage where phenomena are explored, patterns identified, and theories generated before formal hypotheses are tested.

Independent variable

The variable deliberately manipulated by the researcher to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Dependent variable

The variable measured in an experiment to assess the effect of the independent variable.

Random assignment

Randomly assigning participants to conditions to ensure equivalence and control for confounds.

Random sampling

Selecting participants by random processes to obtain a sample representative of a population.

Peer review

Evaluation of research by other experts before publication to ensure quality and credibility.

Ethics in behavioral research

Moral principles guiding research involving humans or animals, including consent, welfare, and minimization of harm.

Animal research

Use of nonhuman animals to study behavior and biology under controlled conditions.

Animal ethics

Ethical considerations and guidelines governing the use of animals in research.

Accumulated evidence

The weight of findings from many studies that together support or challenge a theory or hypothesis.

Empiricism

The practice of relying on observable, systematic data obtained through experience and experiment.

The scientific filter

A four-stage process that screens ideas from broad speculation to established knowledge.

Filter 1

Initial screening by scientific training, reputation, and funding to discard clearly ridiculous ideas.

Filter 2

Researcher's own judgment of viability to pursue plausible lines of work.

Filter 3

Peer review that screens out methodologically weak or unimportant research.

Filter 4

Use, replication, and extension by others that determines whether findings become established knowledge.

A priori prediction

Predictions stated before data collection, based on theory, to avoid post hoc explanations.

Evaluation research

Research assessing the effectiveness of programs or interventions and explaining why they work or fail.

Operationalization

The process of turning a theoretical construct into measurable operations or procedures.

Null finding

A result showing no effect or relationship; often uninformative due to study limitations or publication bias.