Ch2-P27-31 Flashcards
theory?
An organised set of concepts that explains a phenomenon or set of phenomena
Determinism?
The doctrine that all events - physical, behavioural and mental - are determined by specific causal factors that are potentially knowable
Hypothesis?
A tentative and testable explanation of the relationship between two ( or more) events or variables; often stated as a prediction that a certain outcome will result from specific conditions.
Observer bias?
The distortion of evidence because of the personal motives and expectations of the viewer.
Standardisation:
A set of uniform procedures for treating each participant in a test, interview or experiment, or for recording data
Operational definition?
A definition of a variable or conditions in terms of the specific operation or procedure use to determine its presence.
Variable?
IN an experimental setting, a factor that varies in amount and kind.
Indepedent variable?
in experiment a variable that the researcher manipulates with the expectation of it having an impact on the value of the dependent variable.
Dependent variable?
in experiment, a variable that the researcher measures to assess the impact of a variation in an independent variable.
experimental method?
A research methodology that involves the manipulation of independent variables in order to determine their effects on the dependent variables.
Confounding variable?
A stimulus other than the variable an experimenter explicitly introduces into a research setting that affects a participant’s behaviour
Expectancy effects?
A result that occurs when a researcher or observer subtly communicates to participants the kind of behaviour he or she expects to find, thereby creating that expected reaction.
placebo effect
A change in behaviour in the absence of an experimental manipulation.
