Unit 0 Vocab

Experimental Research Design

Research designs that manipulate a variable to determine its effects on a control group.

Non-Experimental Research Design

Research designs that do not manipulate or control variables, relying instead on descriptive, observational, or correlational data.

Independent Variable (IV)

The factor that is manipulated in an experiment whose effect is being studied.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The outcome that is measured in an experiment; may change when the independent variable is manipulated.

Meta-analysis

A procedure for statistically combining the results of many different research studies.

Naturalistic Observation

A descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without manipulation.

Confounding Variables

A factor other than the factor being studied that might influence a study's results.

Random Assignment

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance to minimize pre-existing differences.

Population

All those in a group being studied from which samples may be drawn.

Random Sampling

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.

Representative Samples

A subset of a population used to reflect the characteristics of the larger group.

Sampling Bias

A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample.

Generalizability

A measure of how useful the results of a study are for a broader group of people or situations.

Experimental Group

The group exposed to the treatment or one version of the independent variable in an experiment.

Control Group

The group not exposed to the treatment, used for comparing the effects of a treatment.

Placebo Effect

Experimental results caused by expectations alone; effects on behavior caused by administration of an inert substance.

Single-blind Procedure

The subjects do not know all the information about the study while it is occurring.

Double-blind Procedure

Neither the participant nor the experimenter knows who is in the control or experimental group.

Experimenter Bias

When the experimenter affects the results of their own study due to their expectations.

Correlation

A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together and how well either factor predicts the other.

Positive Correlation

As one variable increases, the other also increases, indicating a direct relationship.

Negative Correlation

As one variable increases, the other decreases, indicating an inverse relationship.

Directionality Problem

Occurs when it is unclear which variable influences the other in a correlation study.

Third-variable Problem

Occurs when an unmeasured variable influences both variables being studied, causing false correlations.

Scatter Plots

Graphed clusters of dots representing the values of two variables; show direction and strength of correlation.

Quantitative Measures

Measures that use numerical values to assess attitudes or opinions, like Likert scales.

Qualitative Measures

Measures that collect detailed, descriptive data by asking open-ended questions.

Surveys

A technique for obtaining self-reported attitudes or behaviors in a particular group.

Framing

The way a problem is presented to someone, potentially changing their view or reaction.

Social Desirability Bias

The tendency of survey respondents to answer questions in a manner viewed favorably by others.

Self-report Bias

When researchers rely on asking people to describe their thoughts or behaviors rather than measuring them directly.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction often implied by a theory.

Falsifiability

The logical possibility that an assertion or hypothesis can be proven false by observation or experiment.

Operational Definitions

Statements of procedures the researcher will use to measure a specific variable.

Ethical Guidelines

Professional recommendations for psychologists conducting research or providing treatments.

Informed Consent

Providing potential participants enough information to choose whether to participate in a study.

Protection from Harm

The ethical obligation of psychologists to ensure participants are safe from psychological and physiological harm.

Minimal Deception

If participants are deceived, the deception must not invalidate informed consent.

Debriefing

Informing participants about the study's purpose and procedures after it is completed.

Central Tendency

Measures including mean, median, and mode that summarize data.

Normal Curve

The hypothetical bell-shaped distribution curve occurring when a normal distribution is plotted.

Statistical Significance

Whether any observed differences between groups are likely due to chance.

Effect Sizes

Indicates how meaningful the relationship between variables or difference between groups is.

Cognitive Biases

Errors in thinking that lead to poor decisions, such as confirmation bias, hindsight bias, and overconfidence bias.