Key Concepts Starting with "C"
Research Designs
Data Collection Techniques
Principals of Research
Miscellaneous
100
This "C" word concept refers to a group of participants in a research study who do not receive the treatment under investigation.
What is a control group?
100
A research study in which a researcher manipulates one aspect of the environment (a treatment), controls other aspects of the environment, and assesses the treatment's effect on participant's behavior.
What is an experimental study?
100
A data collection technique whereby participants are asked to describe their own characteristics and performance.
What is a self-report?
100
A multistep process of answering a carefully defined research question by using critical thinking and analysis of the evidence.
What is the scientific method?
100
The extent to which a data collection technique actually assesses what the researcher intends to assess.
What is validity?
200
This "C" word concept is a research study in which the performance of individuals at different ages is compared.
What is a cross-sectional study?
200
A research study in which one or more experimental treatments are administered but in which random assignment to groups is not possible.
What is a quasi-experimental study?
200
A data collection technique that obtains self-report data through face-to-face conversation.
What is an interview?
200
The specific participants in a research study; their performance is often assumed to indicate how a larger population of individuals would perform.
What is a sample?
200
The extent to which a data collection technique yields consistent, dependable results - results that are only minimally affected by temporary and irrelevant influences.
What is reliability?
300
This "C" word concept is defined as the extent to which two variables are related to each other, such that when one variable increases, the other either increases or decreases in a somewhat predictable fashion.
What is correlation?
300
A research study in which individuals are observed in their natural environment.
What is a naturalistic study?
300
A data collection technique that obtains self-report data through a paper-pencil inventory.
What is a questionnaire?
300
The first step in the scientific method in which researchers clearly state the question they want to answer.
What is "pose a question?"
300
A direct assessment of physical development or physiological functioning.
What is physiological measure?
400
This key concept starting with "C" is a statistic that indicates the nature of the relationship between two variables.
What is the correlation coefficient?
400
A research study in which the performance of a single group of people is tracked over a period of time.
What is a longitudinal study?
400
A data collection technique whereby a researcher carefully observes and documents the behaviors of participants in a research study.
What is an observation?
400
The first basic principal of research all researchers must follow.
What is "obey a strict ethical code" or "the ethical protection of children?"
400
Changes in children's physiological responses to repeated displays of the same stimulus, reflecting loss of interest.
What is habituation?
500
This key concept starting with the letter "C" is a research study that explores relationships among variables.
What is a correlational study?
500
A type of naturalistic study wherein a researcher looks at a single child or adolescent in considerable depth over a period of time.
What are case studies?
500
An instrument designed to assess knowledge, understanding, abilities, or skills in a consistent fashion across individuals
What is a test?
500
The final step in the scientific method in which researchers make reasonable claims about the meaning and significance of the results of their studies. This may include presenting their findings to colleagues at conferences and/or in professional journals.
What is "share the results?"
500
A type of naturalistic study in which a researcher looks at the everyday rules of behavior, beliefs, social structures, and other cultural patterns of an entire group of people - perhaps a community, a classroom, or family.
What are ethnographies?
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