AP Psychology Research Methods Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards defining key research method terms and experimental variables for AP Psychology.

Independent Variable

What the researcher changes or controls.

Random Assignment

Putting participants into groups by chance.

Correlation Study

A study that checks whether variables are related without manipulating them.

Case Study

A detailed study of one person, group, or unusual case.

Meta-Analysis

Combining results from many studies on the same topic.

Naturalistic Observation

Watching behavior in its normal setting without interfering.

Operational Definition

A precise explanation of how a variable will be measured or tested.

Hypothesis

A specific, testable prediction about what will happen.

Correlation

A relationship between two variables; it does not prove that one causes the other.

Dependent Variable

What the researcher measures to see whether it was affected.

Confounding Variable

An outside factor that could affect the results and make the cause unclear.

Control Variables

Factors kept the same for all groups/participants.

Convenience Sample

Participants chosen because they are easy to reach.

Population

The entire group the researcher wants to learn about.

Sample

The smaller group of people actually studied.