Basics of Research & Experimenting
What is the difference between an experimental group and an independent variable?
The independent variable is the experimental factor that is manipulated. The experimental group is the group that is exposed to the independent variable.
Define mean, media, mode, and range
Mean- average score
Median- middle score
Mode- most frequently occurring score
Range- difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution
What are surveys used for?
They are used for collecting self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group.
What is a percentile score?
the percentage of scores that are at or below a particular score
What is a control group?
The group not exposed to the treatment
What is a normal curve?
A symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data
What is a naturalistic observation?
A research method that is used for recording behavior in natural occurring situations without manipulating it.
What is central tendency?
a single score that represents a whole set of scores
The statement "If a person is forced into solitary confinement for an extended period of time, they will begin experiencing hallucinations after 2 days" is a hypothesis or theory?
Hypothesis
What are inferential and descriptive statistics?
Inferential- numerical data that allow one to infer from sample data that probability of something being true in a population
Descriptive-numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups
What is a case study?
A research technique where an individual or group is studied in depth in hope of revealing universal principles
What is a demand characteristic?
the effect in which participants discover the purpose of the study, affecting the way they respond
What is the difference between a theory and a hypothesis?
A theory is an explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events. A hypothesis is a testable prediction.
What is a correlation coefficient?
A statistical index of the relationship between two variables (ranges from -1.0 to +1.0)
What is a double-blind procedure?
An experimental procedure where both the research staff and the research participants are unaware about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo.