Biases
Research Methods
Operational Definitions and Data
Correlational Studies
Data Analysis & Statistics
100

Overconfidence

overestimation of one’s abilities or knowledge

100

Experimental Research

Research that involves the manipulation of an independent variable in order to determine its effect on a dependent variable.

100

Quantative data v.s Qualiative data 

bonus 50 pts: give an example for each 

numerical values vs descriptive concepts 

ex:height, weight, scores, grades

ex (qualiative) : labels, categories, groups

100

Correlational Studies are presented on what type of graph 

Scatterplots

100

I DIDN'T HAVE A ROW FOR THIS SO JS TELL ME ALL THE ETHICS CONCEPTS

Protection From Harm

Informed Consent/Assent

Deception --> Debriefing

Confidentiality

200

Confirmation Bias

only seeking out information that aligns with your preconceptions

200

Meta Analysis

A statistical procedure for analyzing the results of multiple related studies to reach an overall conclusion

200

random v.s convenience sampling 

- a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.

v.s

- a sample is chosen based on easy availability not randomly; ex: friends,classmates, family, etc. (type of sampling Bias)

200

correlation coefficients range from __ to ___

-1.0 to 1.0

200

Statistical Significance

the difference we observe in comparing data that we can confidently conclude is LIKELY NOT DUE TO CHANCE 

300

Hindsight Bias

making a claim after the fact when you haven’t proposed a hypothesis or prediction

300

Naturalistic Observation 

150 point bonus: common bias with this technique?

A descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in natural situations without trying to manipulate or control the situation

bonus: The Hawthorne Effect

300

Operational Definition 

A statement of procedures (operations) used to define research variables.

300

Strong correlations/strong predictors are closer to__ and weak correlations are closer to____

what is the variable used to describe this value?

strong : 1 (either negative or positive)

weak: 0

300

Effect Size

a statistical measure that quantifies the magnitude of an effect meaning how big the effect is.

400

Hawthorne Effect 

(naturalistic observation) bias where subjects change their behaviors because they know they are being watched/studied.


400

Case Studies/ Clinical Studies

250 pt bonus: Describe the Phineas Gage case study

A technique in which one person is studied in depth to reveal underlying behavioral principles that may be inferred to the greater population.

bonus: a foundational neuroscience case where a, 3.7-foot tamping rod tore through Gage’s frontal lobe, revealing the brain's role in personality and social behavior. Gage survived with his intellect intact but suffered severe personality shifts, becoming "no longer Gage," establishing the first link between brain injury and psychological change.

400

confounding variables

an uncontrolled variable that can impact both the IV & DV giving the illusion of a greater or lesser impact of IV on the DV

400

Rank from strongest to weakest correlation:

D) -0.67

C) 0.30

E) 0.84

A) 0.01

B)-0.25

E,D,C,B,A

400

Standard Deviation and Percentile Rank

1) how closely the other scores are clustered around the mean. 

• A large standard deviation: scores are very spread out from the mean.

• A small standard deviation: scores are very close to the mean

2) The percentage of scores in a distribution that fall at or below a given score

500

False Consensus Effect v.s Sampling Bias 

F.C.E: (mental error) cognitive bias where individuals overestimate how much others share their beliefs, seeing own behavioral choices and judgments as relatively common and appropriate to existing circumstances.

Sampling Bias: (research error) methodological error where a data sample is collected in a way that doesn't represent the total population, resulting in skewed findings.

SAMPLING BIAS CAN LEAD TO F.C.E

500

Correlational Study

compare different factors/variables & reveal possible relationships between them.

500

why are operational definitions important (past definition)

Allow for replication of research

• Peer review of research provides necessary

feedback & guidance for all researchers.

500

what is the variable used to describe correlation coefficients

"r" (ex: r= -0.34), "Pearson's r"

500

Normal Distribution v.s Skewed (pos. and neg.) v.s. Bimodal

1)mean = median = mode 

2.1) Positive skew is associated with a long tail to the right 

2.2) Negative Skew is associated with a long tail to the left

3) 2 modes