Psychology Terms

Descriptive Statistics

Descriptive Statistics

Summarizing and describing data e.g. calculating mean, median, and mode

Inferential Statistics

Making predictions or inferences about a population based on a sample, e.g hypothesis testing.

Significance

Statistical significance indicates whether an observed effect is likely due to chance.

Bar Graph

Bar graphs display categorical data.

Histogram

Histograms show the distribution of continuous data.

Aim

The purpose of the study.

Procedure

Detailed steps followed in the study.

Results

Presentation of collected data.

Findings

Interpretation of results.

Implications

The broader significance or applications of the study.

Anonymity

Ensuring participants' identities are not disclosed.

Informed Consent

Participants are fully aware of the study and agree to participate.

Debriefing

Providing participants with information after the study is complete.

Undue Stress or Harm

Avoiding unnecessary psychological or physical harm to participants.

Lab Experiment

Lab experiments are conducted in a controlled environment, often a laboratory, where researchers can manipulate variables and control extraneous factors to isolate the effects of the independent variable.

Field Experiment

Field experiments take place in real world settings, outside of the controlled environment of a laboratory. Researchers manipulate variables, but the conditions are less controlled compared to lab experiments.

Quasi Experiment

Quasi experiments share similarities with true experiments, but they lack full randomization of participants to experimental and control groups.

Natural Experiment

Natural experiments occur when the researcher takes advantage of naturally occurring situations where random assignment is not feasible, but conditions resemble a true experiment.

Null Hypothesis

Null hypothesis assumes no effect.

Research Hypothesis

Research hypothesis predicts an effect.

Random Allocation

Randomly assigning participants to different experimental conditions.

Independent Samples

Participants are only in one experimental condition.

Repeated Measures

Participants experience all experimental conditions.

Demand Characteristics

Participants alter their behavior based on perceived expectations.

Social Desirability Effect

Participants respond in a way they believe is socially acceptable.

Ecological Validity

The extent to which study conditions reflect real world situations.

Observations

Systematic watching and recording of behavior.

Case Studies

In-depth analysis of an individual, group, or event.

Method Triangulation

Using multiple research methods to study the same phenomenon.

Opportunity Sample

Participants chosen based on availability.

Random Sample

Every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Snowball Sample

Participants recruit others for the study.

Self-Selected Sample

Participants volunteer to take part.

Stratified Sample

Ensures representation of subgroups.

Representative Sample

Reflects the characteristics of the population.

Anecdotal Data

Personal stories or experiences.

Empirical Data

Collected through systematic observation or experimentation.

Internal Validity

The degree to which an experiment accurately measures what it intends to.

Construct Validity

The extent to which a test measures the construct it claims to measure.

Independent Variable

Independent variable is manipulated.

Dependent Variable

Dependent variable is measured.

Controls

Factors kept constant to prevent confounding.

Placebos

Inactive substances or treatments.

Operationalization

Defining variables in measurable terms.