Research Basics
What is a correlation?
A measure of how two variables relate to each other.
What is the first step of the scientific method?
Form a hypothesis.
What is the independent variable (IV)?
The factor manipulated by the researcher.
What organization sets ethical guidelines for psychology research?
The American Psychological Association (APA).
Who conducted the famous “Doll Study” to explore racial attitudes in children?
Kenneth and Mamie Clark.
What does the correlation coefficient (r) represent?
The strength and direction of a correlation.
What is an operational definition?
A clear, measurable definition of a variable.
What is the dependent variable (DV)?
The measured outcome in an experiment.
What must participants give before joining a study?
Informed consent.
What major Supreme Court case cited the Clark Doll Experiment?
Brown v. Board of Education (1954).
What’s the main difference between correlation and causation?
Correlation shows relationship, causation shows cause-and-effect.
Why is replication important?
It confirms reliability and validity of results.
What is random assignment?
Randomly placing participants into groups to reduce bias.
Why is confidentiality important?
To protect participant privacy and trust.
Who was Inez Beverly Prosser?
The first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in psychology.
What kind of graph is used to show correlation?
Scatterplot.
What does “hypothesis testing” mean?
Evaluating if data supports or refutes a prediction.
What is the control group used for?
To compare with the experimental group.
What must researchers do after an experiment, especially if deception was used?
Debrief participants.
What did Inez Prosser’s research focus on?
The impact of segregated vs. integrated schools on Black children’s education and self-concept.
What is an illusory correlation?
A perceived relationship where none actually exists.
What is a confounding variable?
A factor other than the IV that may influence results.
What is the placebo effect?
When expectations alone cause a change in participants’ behavior.
What ethical concern did the Clark Doll Experiment help highlight?
Racial bias and its effects on self-esteem in children.
How did Prosser and the Clarks’ work influence psychology?
Their findings advanced understanding of race, identity, and education in psychological research.