Chapter 2: Research Methods Flashcards
Define correlation.
The degree to which events of characteristics vary along with each other
What is a dependent variable?
The variable that is expected to change as the independent variable is manipulated
What is an independent variable?
The variable that is manipulated to determine whether it has an effect on another variable
What is random assignment?
A selection procedure that ensure that participants are randomly placed either in the control group or in the experimental group
What is a placebo (placebo group)?
Something that looks or tastes like real therapy but has none of its key ingredients
What are confounding variables?
Variables other than the independent variable that is also acting on the dependent variable
What is a blind design?
An experiment in which participants don’t know whether they’re n the experimental or the control group
What is a double-blind design?
Experimental procedure in which neither the participant nor the experimenter knows whether the participant has received the experimental treatment or a placebo
Define internal validity.
The accuracy with which a study can pinpoint one of various possible factors as the cause of a phenomenon
Define external validity.
The degree to which the results of a study may be generalized beyond that study
Define incidence.
The number of new cases of a disorder occurring in a population over a specific period of time
Define prevalence.
The total number of cases of a disorder occurring in a population over a specific period of time
What is a longitudinal study?
A study that observes the same participants on many occasions over a long period of time
What is a case study?
- A detailed account of a person’s life and psychological probs
- Describes a person’s history, present circumstances, and symptoms
What is a quasi experiment?
An experiment in which investigators make use of control and experimental groups that already exist in the world at large
