Chapter 2 - The Methods Of Psychology - Terms And Concepts

Question 1

Case Study

Answer 1

Method of research that involves in-depth study of one or more participants who are examined individually using direct observation, testing, experimentation, and other methods

Question 2

Coefficient of Correlation

Answer 2

Statistic used to describe the degree of relationship between two or more variables in which positive correlations indicate that variables vary together in the same direction and negative correlations indicate the opposite.

Question 3

Control Group

Answer 3

In experimental psychology, a group of participants who experience all the same conditions as participants in the experimental group except for the key factor (independent variable) the researcher is evaluating

Question 4

Correlational Method

Answer 4

Research Method that uses statistical techniques to determine the degree of relationship between variables

Question 5

Dependent Variable

Answer 5

In experimental research, the behavior that results from manipulation of an independent variable

Question 6

Descriptive Statistics

Answer 6

Mathematical and graphical methods for reducing data to a form that can be readily understood

Question 7

Experimental Group

Answer 7

In experimental research, a group of participants who are exposed to different varieties of independent variables, so that resulting behaviors can be compared

Question 8

Experimental Research

Answer 8

Research conducted in precisely controlled laboratory conditions in which participants are confronted with specific stimuli and their reactions are carefully measured to discover relationships among variables

Question 9

Hypothesis

Answer 9

Statement proposing existence of a relationship between variables, typically as a tentative explanation for cause and effect, and often designed for research testing

Question 10

Independent Variable

Answer 10

Condition or factor that the experimenter manipulates in order to determine whether changes in behavior (the dependent variable) result

Question 11

Inferential Statistics

Answer 11

Process of using mathematical procedures to draw conclusions about the meaning of research data

Question 12

Mean

Answer 12

In descriptive statistics, the arithmetic average obtained by adding scores and dividing by the number of scores

Question 13

Median

Answer 13

In descriptive statistics, the score that falls in the middle of a distribution of numbers arranged from the lowest to the highest

Question 14

Mode

Answer 14

In descriptive statistics, the score that occurs most frequently in a distribution of numbers

Question 15

Measure of Central Tendency

Answer 15

In descriptive statistics, a value that reflects the middle or central point of a distribution of scores. The three measures are mean, median, and mode

Question 16

Measure of Variability

Answer 16

In descriptive statistics, a measure that indicates whether distribution sores are clustered closely around their average or widely spread out. The two measures of variability are the range and the standard deviation.

Question 17

Theory

Answer 17

A scientific theory is a logical explanation for all the relevant data or facts scientists have observed regarding certain natural phenomena. An essential aspect of scientific theories is that they must be both testable and refutable, not to be confused with the common usage of the term used to signify a hunch a speculation, or an opinion

Question 18

Replication Studies

Answer 18

Research conducted for the purpose of verifying previous findings

Question 19

Survey

Answer 19

Research method that provides descriptive information in which a representative sample of people is questioned about their behaviors or attitudes

Question 20

Sample

Answer 20

Selected segment of a larger population that is being studied in psychological research. Two kinds of samples are the representative sample and the random sample

Question 21

Representative Sample

Answer 21

Sample in which critical subgroups are represented according to their incidence in the larger population that the researcher is studying

Question 22

Random Sample

Answer 22

Sample group of a larger population that is selected by using randomization procedures

Question 23

Observational Method

Answer 23

Method of psychological research providing descriptive information, in which participants are observed as they go about their usual activities

Question 24

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 24

Psychological research using the observational method that takes place in a natural setting, such as a participant’s home or school environment

Question 25

Observer Bias

Answer 25

Tendency of an observer to read more into a situation than is actually there or to see what he or she expects to see. Observer bias is a potential limitation of the observational method.

Question 26

Observer Effect

Answer 26

Tendency of participants to modify behavior because they are aware of being observed

Question 27

Statistics

Answer 27

Mathematical methods for describing and interpreting data. Two kinds of statistics are descriptive and inferential statistics.

Question 28

Normal Distribution

Answer 28

In descriptive statistics, a distribution in which scores are distributed similarly on both sides of the middle value, so that they have the appearance of the bell-shape curve when graphed

Question 29

Skewed

Answer 29

In descriptive statistics, the term describes an unbalanced distribution of scores

Question 30

Range

Answer 30

In descriptive statistics, a measure of variability that indicates the difference between the highest and lowest scores

Question 31

Percentile

Answer 31

Numbers from a range of data indicating percentages of scores that lie below them

Question 32

Standard Score

Answer 32

In descriptive statistics, a measure that indicates how far a score deviates from the average in standard units

Question 33

Operational Definition

Answer 33

Definition specifying the operations that are used to measure or observe a variable such as a definition of obesity specifying a certain weight-height relationship

Question 34

Statistical Significance

Answer 34

Term used to describe research result in which changes in the dependent variable can be attributed with a high level of confidence to the experimental condition (or independent variable) being manipulated by the researcher