case study
an observation technique in which one or more individuals is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles
correlation
A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other.
confounding variable
a factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment
control group
the group that does not receive the experimental treatment.
debreifing
the post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants
dependent variable
the variable that is measured or tested in an experiment
double-blinded study
neither the subjects nor the investigators know who is in the experimental group
experiment
a scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact.
experimenter bias
when a researcher's expectations or preferences about the outcome of a study influence the results obtained
Hawthorne effect
A change in a subject's behavior caused simply by the awareness of being studied
hindsight bias
the tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it..."I knew it all along"
Hypothesis
A testable prediction, often implied by a theory
illusory correlation
the perception of a relationship where none exists
independent variable
The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.
informed consent
An ethical principle requiring that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate.
Mean
average
median
the middle score in a distribution
mode
the most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution
normal curve
A symmetrical, bell-shape that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean (68 percent fall within one standard deviation of it) and fewer and fewer near the extremes.
observer bias
the tendency of observers to not see what is there, but instead to see what they expect or want to see
operational definition
a carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study so other researchers can replicate
placebo effect
experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent.
random sample
a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion
Reliability
the extent to which a test yields consistent results, as assessed by the consistency of scores on two halves of the test, on alternate forms of the test, or on retesting
Replication
repeat
Scatterplot
a graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables
standard deviation
a computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score
survey
a descriptive technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group
theory
an explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events
validity
the extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to
Confidentiality
the act of holding information in confidence, not to be released to unauthorized individuals
descriptive statistics
statistics that summarize the data collected in a study
inferential statistics
numerical data that allow one to generalize- to infer from sample data the probability of something being true of a population
Population
all the cases in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn
range
the difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution
single-blind study
a study in which the participants are unaware of whether they are in the control group or the experimental group. this is done so participants don't bias the results
statistical significance
a statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance
variance
a measure of the spread, or dispersion, of scores within a sample or population,
APA guidelines: animal research
They must have a clear and specific purpose.
They must care for and house animals in a humane way.
They must acquire animal subjects legally. Animals must be purchased from accredited companies.
They must design experimental procedures that employ the least amount of suffering feasible.
APA guidelines: Human research
The purpose of the research, expected duration and procedures.
Follow informed consent rules.
Confidentiality and Privacy.
Participants must be protected from physical and mental harm.
Justice and Integrity