Research Basics
Thinking you “knew it all along” after something happens
Hindsight Bias
A child is observed during recess without interference to better understand natural behavior. What method is used?
Naturalistic Observation
In an experiment, this variable is deliberately manipulated by the experimenter.
Independent Variable
A dataset includes the numbers 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 5. Which measure of central tendency would be highest?
mode
Participants sign this document, confirming they’re aware of risks, procedures, and rights.
informed consent
This term describes a framework built on repeated findings that explains a broad range of behaviors.
A theory
A journalist’s investigation into a single patient's rare psychological disorder is most aligned with this research method.
Case Study
This variable is recorded as the measurable outcome in a study.
Dependent Variable
A student’s test scores of 80, 85, and 95 average out to this measure.
Mean
A participant who experienced deception in a study must be given this immediately afterward.
debriefing
If your claim can be tested in a way that could disprove it, your claim is said to be this.
Falsifiable
A psychologist distributes a set of Likert-scale questions to measure attitudes across a large population. What method is this?
survey
This occurs when individual characteristics unequally influence group membership in an experiment.
Confounding Variable
When organizing scores, which value divides the upper and lower halves of the dataset?
median
This concept assesses whether a test measures what it’s intended to measure.
validity
A researcher's detailed description of how “aggression” will be measured in a study is an example of this.
Operational Definition
A pattern is noticed between ice cream sales and shark attacks. This flawed reasoning reflects what error in thinking?
Illusory Correlation
This process helps ensure each participant has an equal chance of being placed in any group.
Random Assignment
In a dataset ranging from 10 to 90, this simple statistic tells you the spread.
Range
This group is essential for comparing changes against those who receive treatment.
control group
This refers to when results are repeatedly observed under identical conditions.
Repetition
What term refers to a statistical phenomenon where an unusually high or low score returns closer to average upon retesting?
regression toward the mean
The subtle influence of the researcher's expectations on participant behavior represents this type of bias.
Experimenter Bias
This complex measure indicates how tightly scores are clustered around the mean.
Standard Deviation
This form of research gathers descriptive, non-numerical data through interviews, open-ended responses, or observations.
qualitative research