Methodology
the specific method a researcher uses to collect, analyze, and interpret data
What is research design?
Specific statements about the relationship between variables
What is a hypothesis?
A time in development when certain experiences are optimal. Absence of these experiences may cause developmental delays.
What is a sensitive period?
The set of assumptions, rules, and procedures scientists use to conduct research
What is the scientific method?
When researchers ask a standard set of questions to a group of subjects.
What is a survey?
When researchers study the same group of people for a long time
What is longitudinal research?
A measured variable that is expected to be influenced by the experimental manipulation
What is a dependent variable?
A time in development when certain experiences must occur for optimal development. Absence of these experiences will result in abnormal development.
What is a critical period?
The rule that requires researchers to get permission to study individuals.
What is informed consent?
When researchers explore a single case or situation in great detail.
What is a case study?
The only methodology that can establish cause and effect
What is an experiment?
The factor introduced into an experiment to affect the outcome, or the causing variable that is created or manipulated by the experimenter.
What is an independent variable?
A group of people born about the same time and place.
What is a cohort?
This occurs whenever research participants are not completely and fully informed about the nature of the research project before participating in it
What is deception?
When psychologists observe and record behavior that occurs in everyday settings.
What are observational studies?
When researchers gather data on a cross-section of subjects who vary in age, gender, ethnicity and social class.
What is cross-sectional research?
Participants in an experiment who are not subjected to an independent variable.
What is a control group?
When high values for one variable tend to be associated with low values for the other variable
What is negative correlation?
When survey respondents may lie because they want to present themselves in the most favorable light
What is social desirability?
A group of subjects chosen to participate in a research study.
What is a sample?
When researchers study a cross-section of subjects over a long period of time.
What is sequential research?
A variable that is not part of the research hypothesis but produces the observed correlation between them
What is a third variable?
When the population of a study includes the same percentages of males, females, age groups, ethnic groups, and socio-economic groups as the larger population
What is a representative sample?
The tendency to look for evidence that we are right.
What is confirmation bias?
When two or more data sets are related, associated or linked in some way.
What is a correlation?