17
correlation
A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other.
18
correlation coefficient
a statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)
19
variable
anything that can vary and is feasible and ethnical to measure
20
scatterplot
a graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables.
21
illusionary correlation
perceiving a relationship where none exists, or perceiving a stronger-than-actual relationship
22
regression toward the mean
the tendency for extreme or unusual scores to fall back toward their average.
23
experiment
A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable).
24
experimental group
in an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.
25
control group
in an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.
26
random assignment
assigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups
27
single-blind procedure
an experimental procedure in which the research participants are ignorant about whether they have received the treatment or a placebo
28
double-blind procedure
an experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in drug-evaluation studies.
29
placebo effect
experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent.
30
independent variable
in an experiment, the factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied
31
dependent variable
in an experiment, the outcome that is measured; the variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated
32
confounding variable
in an experiment, a factor other than the factor being studied that might influence a study's results
33
experimenter bias
bias caused when researchers may unintentionally influence results to confirm their own beliefs
34
validity
the extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to
17
correlation
A measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other.
18
correlation coefficient
a statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1)
19
variable
anything that can vary and is feasible and ethnical to measure
20
scatterplot
a graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables.
21
illusionary correlation
perceiving a relationship where none exists, or perceiving a stronger-than-actual relationship
22
regression toward the mean
the tendency for extreme or unusual scores to fall back toward their average.
23
experiment
A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable).
24
experimental group
in an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.
25
control group
in an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.
26
random assignment
assigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups
27
single-blind procedure
an experimental procedure in which the research participants are ignorant about whether they have received the treatment or a placebo
28
double-blind procedure
an experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in drug-evaluation studies.
29
placebo effect
experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent.
30
independent variable
in an experiment, the factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied
31
dependent variable
in an experiment, the outcome that is measured; the variable that may change when the independent variable is manipulated
32
confounding variable
in an experiment, a factor other than the factor being studied that might influence a study's results
33
experimenter bias
bias caused when researchers may unintentionally influence results to confirm their own beliefs
34
validity
the extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to
