Types of Observation
What is the Case Study Method?
The exhaustive study of a person in order to make general observations about a group
What is a Hypothesis?
A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.
What is a Double-Bind Procedure?
When both the test groups and researchers have no idea what group is receiving treatment
What is the Mode?
The most frequently occurring score in a distribution.
What is Informed Consent?
The requirement that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate.
What is Naturalistic Obeservation?
An observation of behaviors in natural settings without influence.
What is a theory?
An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors/events.
What is the Experimental Group?
The group that receives treatment
What is the Mean?
The arithmetic average of a distribution that is found by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores.
What is Debriefing?
The post experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants.
What is the Survey Method?
A method of asking questions of a carefully selected group of people and tabulating their answers
What is Replication in relation to experiments?
The ability to repeat the original essence of a research study
What is the Control Group?
The group that doesn't receive treatment
What is the Median?
The middle score in a distribution.
Do human lives or animal lives have priority in research studies?
Human lives are given 1st priorit.
What are the advantages of the Survey Method?
A researcher gains information about feelings, opinions, and behavior patterns.
What is a Random Sample?
Everyone in a group has an equal chance of participating in the experiment.
What is the Independent Variable?
A factor that is manipulated.
What is the Range?
The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution
What is one of the 1st thing a researcher must do before conducting an experiment (if applicable)?
Researchers must accurately describe the risks to potential subjects and ensure that participation is voluntary.
What are the disadvantages of the Case Study Method?
Information cannot be generalized to others; researcher's biases can influence a subject's behavior.
What is Random Assignment?
The assigning of participants to experimental and control groups by chance
What is a Dependent Variable?
The outcome factor; effect
What is Statistical Significance?
A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance.
What do the American Psychological Association's guidelines say about the ethicality of using animals in experiments?
Animals should be ensured the comfort, health, and humane treatment to minimize infection, illness, and pain.