Research Methods
A researcher changes one variable to see its effect on another variable. What type of variable is being changed?
The independent variable. The independent variable is the factor the researcher manipulates in an experiment. "The dependent variable" This is incorrect because the dependent variable is the measured result, not the manipulated component.
The variable manipulated by the researcher.
Independent variable. Researchers change the independent variable to see the effects. "Dependent variable". The dependent variable is measured, not manipulated.
Participants agreeing to take a role after learning basic knowledge about the study.
Informed consent. Participants must understand the study before agreeing. "Debriefing." Debriefing happens after the study is done.
The average of a set of scores.
The mean. The mean is calculated by adding scores and dividing by the combined number. "Range." Range measures spread, not average.
The perspective concentrating on observable behavior.
Behaviorial. Behaviorists study behaviors that can be automatically viewed. "Psychoanalysis." Psychoanalysis concentrates on unconscious ideas.
A psychologist views children interact on a playground without interrupting. What research method is being used?
Naturalistic observation. Naturalistic observation contains viewing behavior in a natural environment without manipulation. "An experiment." This is incorrect because no variables are being manipulated.
The measured result in an experiment.
The dependent variable. The dependent variable differs as an answer to the independent variable. "Control group." A control group does not demonstrate the measured result.
Researchers explaining the true purpose of a study after it is done.
The middle score in a distribution.
The median. The median separates the higher, and lower halves of data. "Mode." Mode is the most consistently occuring score.
The perspective signifying free will and personal improvement.
Humanistic. Humanistic psychologists concentrate on self-growth, and potential. "Behaviorial." Behavioral concentrates on learned behaviors.
Researchers find out that students who sleep more typically attain higher grades. This shows what form of relationship?
Correlation. Correlation demonstrates a relationship between two variables but does not prove causation. "Causation". This is incorrect because the study does not prove sleep immediately causes better grades.
Participants who get no treatment or a placebo are part of what group?
Control group. The control group gives a comparison for the experimental group. "Experimental group." The experimental group gets the treatment.
Researchers purposefully misleading participants about a study's purpose.
Deception. Deception is only allowed when it is needed, and ethical guidelines are followed. "Confidentiality." Confidentiality defends participant information.
The most consistent occuring score in a set of data.
The mode. The mode identifies the score that seems the most occuring. "Mean." The mean is the average.
The perspective studying ideas, memory, and error-fixation.
Cognitive psychology. Cognitive psychologists test mental functions. "Biological psychology." Biological psychology studies the brain, and nervous system.
Participants are randomly assigned to either a treatment group or a control group. Why is random assignment crucial?
Because it decreases bias, and establishes equal groups. Random assignment helps to confirm that groups are similar before the experiment starts. "Increasing deception" This is incorrect because random assignment is not connected to deception.
Assigning participants to groups by chance is called what?
Confidentiality. Researchers must keep participant data private. "Replication." Replication means repeating a study.
The difference between the highest and lowest scores.
The range. Range measures variability in data. "Standard deviation." Standard deviation measures average distance from the mean.
The perspective that studies how biology impacts behavior.
Biological perspective. This perspective examines the brain, genes, and hormones. "Social psychology." Social psychology concentrates on interactions with others.
A study is carefully designed so it can be constant and establish similar outcomes. This shows what concept?
Reliability. Reliability refers to consistency of outcomes over repeated trials. "Hindsight bias". This is incorrect because hindsight bias contains believing results were predictable after they happen.
When neither participants nor researchers know who gets the treatment, this is called what?
A double-blind procedure. Double blind procedures decreases bias from both participants and researchers. "Informed consent." Informed consent means participants agree to participate.
A popular study that harmed ethical guidelines by containing fake prison guards, and prisoners.
Stanford Prison Experiment. The experiment gained concerns about emotional harm and ethics. "Milgram's obedience study." Milgram's study concentrated on obedience to authority.
A value of how spread out scores are around the mean.
Sigmund Freud is most connected with what psychological perspective?
Psychoanalytic psychology. Freud signifies unconscious problems, and childhood difficulties. "Cognitive psychology." Cognitive psychology examines mental functions, not unconscious desires.