psyc 2017 exam 3

What is an experiment in research methods

A study where a researcher manipulates one variable to observe its effect on another

What is manipulation in an experiment

Actively changing the level of the independent variable

What is control in an experiment

Holding all other variables constant except the independent variable

What is internal validity

The degree to which a study supports a causal conclusion

What are the three criteria for causation

Covariance temporal precedence and internal validity

What is covariance

When two variables are related

What is temporal precedence

The cause must come before the effect

What is a confound

A variable that varies with the independent variable and provides an alternative explanation

What is a design confound

A flaw in study design that prevents clear interpretation

What is random assignment

Assigning participants to groups by chance

Why is random assignment important

It reduces confounds and equalizes groups

What is an independent variable

The variable manipulated by the researcher

What is a dependent variable

The variable measured to assess the effect of the independent variable

What is a control group

A group that does not receive the treatment

What is an experimental group

A group that receives the treatment

What is a placebo effect

Improvement due to expectations rather than treatment

What is a placebo group

A group that receives an inactive treatment

What is a double blind study

Neither participants nor researchers know condition assignments

What is a single blind study

Participants do not know their condition

What are demand characteristics

Cues that influence participant behavior

What is observer bias

Researcher expectations influence observations

What is a manipulation check

A measure to confirm the independent variable worked

What is a pilot study

A small test study conducted before the main experiment

What is a simple experiment

An experiment with one independent variable and one dependent variable

What is a confounding variable

An alternative explanation caused by group differences

What is a selection effect

Preexisting differences between groups

What is a posttest only design

Measurement occurs only after manipulation

What is a pretest posttest design

Measurement occurs before and after manipulation

What is a repeated measures design

Participants experience all conditions

What is a within subjects design

Each participant is in every condition

What is a between subjects design

Each participant is in only one condition

What is a matched groups design

Participants are paired on characteristics before assignment

What is counterbalancing

Changing order of conditions to control order effects

What are order effects

Changes due to the sequence of conditions

What is a practice effect

Improvement due to repetition

What is a fatigue effect

Decline due to tiredness or boredom

What is a factorial design

An experiment with multiple independent variables

What is a main effect

The effect of one independent variable on the dependent variable

What is an interaction effect

When the effect of one independent variable depends on another

What is a 2 by 2 factorial design

Two independent variables each with two levels

What is a cell in factorial design

A specific combination of variable levels

What is a ceiling effect

Scores cluster at the high end

What is a floor effect

Scores cluster at the low end

What is an obscuring variable

A variable that hides a real effect

What is noise in experiments

Random variability that makes detection harder

What is statistical validity

Accuracy of conclusions about data

What is construct validity in experiments

How well variables are measured and manipulated

What is external validity

The extent results generalize beyond the study

What is the Belmont Report

Guidelines for ethical research

What are the Belmont principles

Respect for persons beneficence and justice

What is informed consent

Participants agree after being informed about the study

What is deception in research

Misleading participants about the study purpose

When is deception allowed

When justified necessary and minimal harm

What is debriefing

Explaining the true purpose after the study

What is coercion

Forcing participation through pressure

What is undue influence

Offering excessive incentives that impair choice

What is confidentiality

Keeping participant data private

What is anonymity

Data cannot be linked to individuals

What is an IRB

A committee that reviews research ethics

What is minimal risk

Harm no greater than daily life experiences

What is animal research ethics requirement

Use humane care and minimize harm

What is replication

Repeating a study to confirm findings