FINAL: Research Design Concepts

Theory

broad explanation of something

Research Idea

overarching topic of research

Research Question

specific, testable question such as does exercise affect sleep

Hypothesis

specific, testable prediction such as increased exercise improves sleep

Null Hypothesis

no effect or relationship exists

Alternative Hypothesis

an effect or relationship exists

Power

the ability to find a difference, effect, or relationship if one exists

Theoretical Explanation

using a theory to explain why a phenomenon occurs

Independent Variable

the variable being manipulated

Levels

different conditions within an independent variable

Experimental Design

research design with manipulation of the independent variable

Correlational Design

examines relationships between variables without manipulation

Quasi-Experimental Design

uses pre-existing groups such as smokers and nonsmokers

Observational Measures

data collected by watching behavior

Between-Subjects

different groups experience only one condition each

Within-Subjects

the same group experiences all conditions

Random Assignment

participants are randomly placed into a condition after joining the study

Random Selection

randomly selecting participants from a larger group to be in the stud