Experiment Terminology
The entire group of people being studied, from which a sample is drawn.
What is the population?
A study that records detailed information about one individual or group.
What is a case study?
Researchers must always get this before involving participants in a study.
What is informed consent?
A researcher tests whether drinking coffee affects alertness.
What is coffee consumption?
A teacher tests whether sitting in the front of the classroom improves student participation.
What is student participation?
The group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment but may receive a placebo.
What is the control group?
A study where behavior is observed without interference.
What is naturalistic observation?
If participants are under 18, this is required in addition to their own consent.
What is parental consent?
A study examines whether the type of background music (classical, pop, or no music) influences study focus.
What is the type of background music?
A nutritionist studies whether eating breakfast affects student concentration.
What is concentration?
A fake treatment that can improve a participant’s condition due to expectations.
What is a placebo?
A study that looks for naturally occurring relationships and predictions.
What is a correlational study?
Researchers must keep participants’ data in this condition.
What is confidential?
An experiment investigates whether the number of hours of exercise per week changes mood levels.
What is the hours of exercise?
A sports scientist tests if different training programs improve sprint speed.
What is sprint speed?
A procedure that ensures every member of the population has an equal chance of being chosen.
What is random sampling?
A study where researchers manipulate one or more factors to observe effects.
What is experimental research?
This protects participants from being hurt during research.
What is protection from emotional or physical harm?
A psychologist tests whether both amount of sleep and amount of caffeine affect reaction time.
What are hours of sleep and caffeine amount?
A researcher investigates how hours of sleep and stress level impact memory test results.
What is memory test results?
A procedure where participants are assigned to groups by chance, reducing bias.
What is random assignment?
A researcher finds that students who sleep longer also get better grades, but can’t prove one causes the other. What type of research is this?
What is correlational research?
After a study, researchers must explain the purpose and results in this process.
What is debriefing?
A researcher studies whether the type of therapy (CBT, medication, or none) and length of therapy (2 weeks vs 2 months) impact anxiety reduction.
What are type of therapy and length of therapy?
A psychologist studies how therapy type and length of therapy influence both anxiety and self-esteem.
What are anxiety levels and self-esteem?