Research Methods
An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events.
Theory
Correlation does NOT equal _____________.
causation
The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.
Independent Variable
The largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States. Developer of ethical standards for psychological researchers.
American Psychological Association (APA)
One of the PROs of using a survey as a research method is...
easy to do, inexpensive, fast, can gather lots of data
A descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.
Case Study
A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables.
Scatterplot
The group not exposed to the treatment, and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.
Control Group
Non-Human (Animal)
A scatterplot with dots all over and with no visible pattern would mean that the two variables have __________ correlation.
All those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn.
Population
If we observe that people who spend more time studying tend to get higher scores on their psychology quizzes, we can say that time studying and scores are ______________ correlated.
positively
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.
Placebo Effect
An ethical principle that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate.
Informed Consent
The tendency to present oneself in a favorable way rather than to give accurate answers.
Social Desirability Bias
The possible effects on participants caused by the order of presented words or even the choice of the words themselves.
Wording Effect
A statistical index of the relationship between two variables (from -1.0 to +1.0).
A factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.
Confounding Variable
The post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants.
Debriefing
Sorting participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the different groups.
Random Assignment
A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.
Random Sample
The perception of a relationship where none exists.
Illusory Correlation
A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study.
Operational Definition
Protecting people's privacy by not releasing any personal information is known as _________________.
Confidentiality/Anonymity
A group of individuals designated to review and monitor research that involves human subjects.
Institutional Review Board (IRB)