Research Methods
Observing behavior in its natural setting without interference is called what?
Naturalistic observation
What must participants be told before agreeing to join a study?
Informed consent
In a normal curve, about what percent of scores fall within one standard deviation of the mean?
68%
If hours studied and test scores both increase together, this is what type of correlation?
Positive correlation
In an experiment, the factor that is manipulated by the researcher is called what?
Independent variable
Following the same group of participants over many years is what type of study?
Longitudinal study
Which APA guideline requires researchers to explain the study’s purpose after it ends?
Debriefing
Which measure of central tendency is most influenced by outliers?
Mean
If time spent on social media increases and grades decrease, what type of correlation is that?
Negative correlation
In an experiment, the factor that is measured is called what?
Dependent variable
A detailed investigation of a single individual with rare traits is called a what?
Case study
What ethical principle means researchers should protect participants from harm?
Nonmaleficence (do no harm / protection from harm)
A set of scores has values of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. What is the median?
6
A correlation coefficient close to 0 suggests what type of relationship?
No correlation (little to no relationship)
The group that receives no treatment or a placebo is called what?
Control group
A survey given to 10 randomly chosen students at a school is an example of what type of sampling?
Random sampling
In animal research, psychologists must follow APA guidelines that stress what two main responsibilities?
Humane treatment & minimizing pain
If the mean is higher than the median, the distribution is likely skewed in which direction?
Positively skewed (tail to the right)
Why can’t correlational studies prove cause and effect?
Because correlation does not rule out third variables or directionality
What procedure helps prevent both experimenter bias and participant expectations?
Double-blind procedure
If a study can be repeated and produce similar results, it is said to have what?
Reliability
A participant is told they can withdraw from a study at any time. This illustrates which ethical principle?
Right to withdraw (voluntary participation)
A student scores in the 85th percentile on a test. What does this mean?
They scored higher than 85% of test takers
A researcher finds that ice cream sales and drowning deaths are correlated. What’s the most likely explanation?
A third variable (e.g., hot weather increases both ice cream sales and swimming, which increases drowning risk)
A variable other than the independent variable that might affect results is called what?
Confounding variable