Psychology Research Methods and Statistics

Vocabulary flashcards covering descriptive and correlational research methods, experimental psychology techniques, and statistical analysis based on lecture notes.

Methodology-Specific Techniques

The tools and methods you use to collect your data or specific ways to gather information.

Survey Technique

A method to collect data from a sample of individuals through self-report.

Wording Effect

Subtle changes in the phrasing or wording of survey questions.

Social Desirability Bias

Refers to the tendency of individuals to respond in a manner that is viewed favorably.

Naturalistic Observation

A method where researchers observe and record behavior in real-world settings to generate hypotheses and identify patterns.

Case Study

A research method that involves an in-depth examination of a single individual.

Correlational Research

Research designed to examine the relationship between two variables.

Third Variable Problem

The possibility that a third, unmeasured variable may be influencing the relationship between $2$ variables.

Scatterplot

A graph of dots that show the relationship of variables.

Correlation Coefficient

A number written from $-1$ to $+1$ that tells the direction and strength of correlation.

No Correlation

Indicates there is no relationship between variables.

Positive Correlation

Variables move in the same direction.

Negative Correlation

Variables move in different directions.

Experimental Method

A method to investigate cause-effect relationships between variables.

Independent Variable

The variable that changes in an experiment.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is observed and measured.

Confounding Variable

A variable that wasn't accounted for but still affects the results of a study.

Operational Definition

A statement of how a researcher will measure variables in a study.

Experimental Group

The group that has the condition or is getting the treatment.

Control Group

The group used to compare to the experimental group.

Random Assignment

The process of assigning people to different groups randomly.

Placebo Effect

When people believe there is an improvement in their condition solely because they believe a treatment is beneficial, rather than due to an actual ingredient.

Experimental Bias

When the expectations of researchers influence the results of a study.

Single-Blind Study

A study where participants do not know which group they are in, but the researcher knows.

Double-Blind Study

A study where both the researcher and participant do not know who is in the experimental or control group.

Placebo Condition

Administering a placebo to one group while the other group actually receives the treatment.

Sample

A smaller group of people actually studied from the population.

Representative Sample

A subset of individuals selected from a larger population in such a way that it reflects the diversity of that population.

Random Sample

A sample where everyone in the population has an opportunity to be chosen.

Sample Bias

When the sample does not represent the true population being studied.

Generalizability

The extent to which an experiment can be applied to a larger population.

Statistics

The use of numbers (#) to organize and store data.

Descriptive Statistics

Refers to describing the statistics and summarizing data.

Inferential Statistics

Making predictions about a larger population based on numbers (#).

Measures of Central Tendency

Numbers (#) used to describe the center or typical score in a set.

Mean

The average number (#) in a set.

Median

The middle number (#) in a set.

Mode

The number (#) most frequently seen in a set.

Range

The difference between the highest value and lowest value.

Normal Curve or Bell Curve

A distribution where the majority of data falls near the center.

Regression to the Mean

When an extreme score happens but is followed up by another score closer to the average.

Positive Skew

Data clusters on the left with the tail going to the right.

Negative Skew

Data clusters on the right side with the tail on the left.

Standard Deviation

A measure of how spread out scores are from the mean.

Percentile Rank

A statistical measure that indicates the percentage of scores that are equal to or below a value.

Bimodal Distribution

A type of data distribution where there are $2$ peaks.

Statistical Significance

Indicates that the observed results in a study are not due to chance.

Effect Sizes

A measure of how big or strong the difference or relationship is between variables.

Meta Analysis

The statistical analysis of many research studies on the same topic.