Chapter 2 Flashcards
(23 cards)
Definition: objective measurements
The measure of an entity/behaviour that, within a margin of error, is consistent across instruments and the observer
Definition: operational definition
Statements that describe the procedures/specific measures that one used to record observations
Reliability + its types
When a measure provides consistent and stable answers across multiple observations
- test-retest
- alternate forms (same underlying knowledge)
- inter-rater
Definition: generalizability
The degree to which one set of results can be applied to other situations, individuals, or events
Generalizability: sample types
Random sample and convenience sample
Generalizability: location
Lab vs naturalistic
Definition: ecological validity
The degree to which the results of a lab study can be repeated in the natural environment
Hawthorne effect
Situations in which behaviour changes when being observed
Definition: Demand characteristics
Inadvertent cues given off by the experimenter/ experimental context that provide info about how participants are expected to behave
Definition: social desirability
Research participants respond in ways that increase the chances that they will be viewed favorably
Definition: observer expectancy effect
Researcher’s expectations that can influence subject’s behaviour
Definition: placebo effect
A measurable + experienced improvement in heath or behaviour that cannot be attributable to meds or treatment
Definition: single blind study
Participants don’t know true purpose of study/ placebo or not
Definition: double blind study
Neither participant nor experimenter knows exact treatment
Correlational research: 2 points
Direction: positive vs negative
Magnitude: correlation coefficient (-1 to +1)
Definition: confounding variables
Variables outside of researcher’s control that may effect results
e.g. Dude woke up in a mood
Between-subjects design
Participants in different groups are compared
Within subjects design
All participants respond to all types of stimuli/experience all experimental conditions
Quasi- experimental research
2 or more groups being compared as selected based on predetermined characteristics rather than random assignment
e.g. Men vs women
How long is data kept after a study?
3-5 years, for replication purposes
Definition: descriptive statistics
A set of techniques used to organize, summarize and interpret data
Definition: Central tendency
The measure of the central point of a distribution
e.g. Mean, median, and mode
Definition: standard deviation
A measure of variability around the mean
- represents units of distance away from central tendency
