Research Methods in Psychology

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on research methods in psychology, defining key terms and concepts related to data types, correlation, and experimentation.

Qualitative data

Descriptive data that can provide insights into characteristics or qualities.

Quantitative data

Numerical data that can be used for statistical analysis.

Population

The entire group that a researcher is interested in studying.

Sample

A subset of the population chosen for the study.

Correlation

A measure of the relationship between two variables.

Positive Correlation

When two variables increase or decrease together.

Negative Correlation

When one variable increases while the other decreases.

Independent Variable

The variable that is manipulated by the researcher.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured and is dependent on the independent variable.

Experimental Group

The group that receives the treatment or intervention in an experiment.

Control Group

The group that does not receive the treatment, used for comparison.

Directionality problem

The issue of determining which variable influences the other in correlation studies.

3rd variable problem

The possibility that another variable may be influencing the relationship between the two variables studied.

Positive correlation

Variables increase and decrease together

Negative correlation

As one variable increases the other decreases

Independent variable

Purposefully altered by researcher to look for effect

Experimental group

Received the treatment (part of IV)

Control Group

Placebo

Dependent variable

Measured variable (is dependent on independent variable)

Placebo effect

Any observed effect on a behavior. That is caused by the placebo

Double blind

Exp. Where neither the participant or the experiment are aware of which condition people are assigned

Single blind

Only the participant is blind

Confound

Error in a study that is accidentally introduced

Random assignment

Assigns participants to either group at random

Naturalistic observation

Observe ppl in their natural settings

Case study

Studies one person in great detail

Descriptive stats

Shows the shape of the data

Measures of central tendency

Mean: average #(use normal distribution). Median: middle#. Mode: occurs most often

Bimodal

Has 2 modes - usually indicates good bad scores

Measures of variation

Range: distance bw smallest and biggest #.

Standard deviation: Avg. Amount the scores are spread from the mean ( bigger # - more spread)

Statistical significance

Results not due to chance(p<0.5= stat. Sig, smaller= better

Effect size

Data has practical significance (bigger=better)

Ethical guidelines

Confidentiality: names kept secret

Informed consent: must agree to be Part of study

Informed assent: minors and their parents must agree

Debriefing: must be told true purpose of study

Surveys

Usually turned into correlation

Random sample

Method for choosing participants for your study, increases generalizability

Convenience sample

Select participants based on variability

Inferential stat

Establishes significance

Sampling bias

Sample isn't representative due to conv. sampling

Cognitive ficus

Bias in thinking

Hindsight bias

"I knew it all along”

Hawthorne effect

Ppl change behavior when watched

Heredity

How genes influence your behavior

Operational definition

Clear, precise, quantifiable definition of your variables - allows for replication and collection of reliable date