Chapter 2

Question 1

Hypothesis

Answer 1

a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables.

Question 2

Variables

Answer 2

any measurable conditions, events, characteristics, or behaviors that are controlled or observed in a study.

Question 3

Theory

Answer 3

a system of interrelated ideas used to explain a set of observations.

Question 4

Operational Definition

Answer 4

describes the actions or operations that will be used to measure or control a variable.

Question 5

Data Collection Techniques

Answer 5

are procedures for making empirical observations and measurements

Question 6

Journal

Answer 6

a periodical that publishes technical and scholarly material, usually in a narrowly defined are of inquiry.

Question 7

Research Methods

Answer 7

consists of various approaches to the observation, measurement, manipulation, and control of variables in empirical studies.

Question 8

Experiment

Answer 8

a research method in which the investigator manipulates a variable under carefully controlled conditions and observes whether any changes occur in a second variable as a result

Question 9

Independent Variable

Answer 9

a condition or event that an experimenter varies in order to see its impact on another variable

Question 10

Dependent Variable

Answer 10

the variable that is thought to be affected by manipulation of the independent variable

Question 11

Experimental Group

Answer 11

consists of the subjects who receive some special treatment in regard to the independent variable.

Question 12

Control Group

Answer 12

consists of similar subjects who do not receive special treatment given to the experimental group.

Question 13

Extraneous Variables

Answer 13

any variables other than the independent variable that seem likely to influence the dependent variable in a specific study.

Question 14

Confounding of Variables

Answer 14

occurs when two variables are linked together in a way that makes it difficult to sort out their specific effects.

Question 15

Random Assignment

Answer 15

occurs when all subjects have an equal chance of being assigned to any group or condition in the study.

Question 16

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 16

a researcher engages in careful observation of behavior without intervening directly with the subjects.

Question 17

Case Study

Answer 17

an in-depth investigation of an individual subject

Question 18

Survey

Answer 18

researches use questionnaires or interviews to gather information about specific aspects of participants’ background and behavior.

Question 19

Statistics

Answer 19

the use of mathematics to organize, summarize, and interpret numerical data.

Question 20

Descriptive Statisitcs

Answer 20

are used to organize and summarize data.

Question 21

Median

Answer 21

the score that falls exactly in the center of a distribution of scores.

Question 22

Mean

Answer 22

is the arithmetic average of the scores in a distribution.

Question 23

Mode

Answer 23

the most frequent score in a distribution.

Question 24

Variability

Answer 24

refers to how much the scores in a data set vary from each other and from the mean.

Question 25

Standard Deviation

Answer 25

an index of the amount of variability in a set of data.

Question 26

Correlation

Answer 26

exists when two variables are related to eachother

Question 27

Correlation Coefficient

Answer 27

a numerical index of the degree of relationship between two variables.

Question 28

Inferential Statistics

Answer 28

used to interpret data and draw conclusion.

Question 29

Statistical Significance

Answer 29

said to exist when the probability that the observed findings are due to chance is very low.

Question 30

Replication

Answer 30

the repetition of a study to see whether the earlier results are duplicated.

Question 31

Sample

Answer 31

The collection of subjects selected for observation in an empirical study.

Question 32

Population

Answer 32

The much larger collection of animals or people that researchers want to generalize about.

Question 33

Placebo Effects

Answer 33

Occur when participants’ expectations lead them to experience some change even though they receive empty, fake, or ineffectual treatment.

Question 34

Social Desirability Bias

Answer 34

a tendency to give socially approved answers to questions about oneself.

Question 35

Experimenter Bias

Answer 35

occurs when a researcher’s expectation or preferences about the outcome of a study influence the results obtained.

Question 36

Double-Blind Procedure

Answer 36

a research strategy is a research strategy in which neither subjects nor experimenters know which subjects are in the experimental or control groups.