RMI Final

Experimental Design

  • Experimental Design

    • Definition: A design that allows determining causality by manipulating at least one independent variable, using random assignment, and controlling extraneous variables.

  • Independent Variable (IV)

    • Definition: The variable that is manipulated by the researcher.

  • Dependent Variable (DV)

    • Definition: The measured outcome that may be influenced by the IV.

  • Random Assignment

    • Definition: Assigning participants to conditions by chance to ensure group equivalence.

  • Matched Groups Design

    • Definition: Participants are matched on a variable and then randomly assigned.

  • Repeated Measures Design

    • Definition: Each participant experiences all conditions.

  • Counterbalancing

    • Definition: Controlling for order effects in repeated measures by varying the order of conditions.

  • Systematic Variance

    • Definition: Variation due to the IV.

  • Confound Variance

    • Definition: Variation due to uncontrolled extraneous variables.

  • Error Variance

    • Definition: Random variation due to individual differences, measurement error, or environment.

  • Experimenter Expectancy Effects

    • Definition: When a researcher's expectations influence participants' behavior.

  • Demand Characteristics

    • Definition: When participants try to guess the hypothesis and change their behavior.

  • Placebo Effect

    • Definition: Improvement caused by the participant's belief in treatment rather than the treatment itself.

  • Double-Blind Design

    • Definition: Both participant and experimenter are unaware of condition assignments.

  • External Validity

    • Definition: The extent to which results generalize to other settings, people, or times.

  • Internal Validity

    • Definition: The degree to which a study demonstrates a causal relationship.

Chapter 10 – Experimental Designs

  • One-Way Design

    • Definition: Experimental design with a single IV.

  • Factorial Design

    • Definition: Experimental design with two or more IVs.

Main and Interaction Effects

  • Main Effect

    • Definition: The effect of one IV, averaging across the levels of other IVs.

  • Interaction Effect

    • Definition: When the effect of one IV depends on the level of another IV.

  • Mixed Factorial Design (Expericorr)

    • Definition: Design that includes both manipulated and measured variables.

Chapter 11 – Analyzing Experimental Data

  • Exploratory Data Analysis

    • Definition: Using graphs and descriptive stats to understand data.

  • Null Hypothesis Significance Testing (NHST)

    • Definition: Procedure for testing whether an effect exists.

  • Type I Error

    • Definition: Rejecting a true null hypothesis (false positive).

  • Type II Error

    • Definition: Failing to reject a false null hypothesis (false negative).

  • Statistical Power

    • Definition: Probability of correctly rejecting a false null hypothesis.

  • Effect Size

    • Definition: A measure of the strength or magnitude of a finding.

  • Confidence Interval (CI)

    • Definition: A range around a sample estimate that likely contains the population value.

Chapter 12 – Statistical Analyses

  • t-Test

    • Definition: Statistical test comparing means between two groups.

  • Independent Samples t-Test

    • Definition: Used for between-subjects comparisons.

  • Paired Samples t-Test

    • Definition: Used for within-subjects (repeated measures).

  • ANOVA (Analysis of Variance)

    • Definition: Used to test differences among three or more group means.

  • F-Ratio

    • Definition: The ratio of between-group variance to within-group variance.

  • Post Hoc Test

    • Definition: Conducted after a significant ANOVA to determine which groups differ.

  • MANOVA

    • Definition: Multivariate analysis of variance; used when there are multiple DVs.

  • Bonferroni Correction

    • Definition: Adjusts p-value to reduce risk of Type I error in multiple comparisons.

Chapter 13 – Quasi-Experimental Designs

  • Quasi-Experimental Design

    • Definition: Design that lacks random assignment but includes other features of true experiments.

  • Pretest-Posttest Design

    • Definition: Measure DV before and after treatment.

  • Time Series Design

    • Definition: Measure DV repeatedly before and after intervention.

  • Comparative Time Series Design

    • Definition: Time series across multiple groups.

  • Longitudinal Design

    • Definition: Tracks same participants over time.

  • Cross-Sequential Cohort Design

    • Definition: Combines cross-sectional and longitudinal designs.

  • Program Evaluation

    • Definition: Applied research to assess effectiveness of programs.

Chapter 14 – Single-Case Research

  • Single-Case Design

    • Definition: Focus on individual participant or case.

  • ABAB Design

    • Definition: Baseline-treatment-baseline-treatment; used to establish causality.

  • Multiple Baseline Design

    • Definition: Introduce treatment at different times across behaviors or participants.

  • Case Study

    • Definition: In-depth investigation of an individual using multiple data sources.

Chapter 15 – Ethics

  • Deontology

    • Definition: Ethics based on rules and duties.

  • Utilitarianism

    • Definition: Ethics based on outcomes.

  • Ethical Skepticism

    • Definition: Ethics depend on individual conscience.

  • APA Principles

    • Definition: Respect, beneficence, and justice.

  • Informed Consent

    • Definition: Participants must be informed and consent voluntarily.

  • Privacy

    • Definition: Control over access to personal information.

  • Coercion

    • Definition: Pressure to participate is unethical.

  • Risk/Stress

    • Researchers should avoid unnecessary harm to participants.

  • Deception

    • Must be justified and followed by debriefing.

  • Confidentiality

    • Keep participant data secure and private.

  • Debriefing

    • Explain study and ensure participant well-being afterward.

  • Vulnerable Populations

    • Require extra protections (e.g., children, prisoners).

  • Animal Research

    • Must follow ethical guidelines.

  • Scientific Misconduct

    • Includes fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.

  • Questionable Research Practices

    • Includes p-hacking, selective reporting.

  • Suppression of Findings

    • Withholding results violates scientific integrity.

  • Ethical Vigilance

    • Continuous attention to ethical standards and judgment.