Module 2 Flashcards
(50 cards)
Alternative Explanation
The idea that it is possible that there is some other, uncontrolled variable that may be responsible for the observed relationship.
Case Study Method
An in-depth study of one or more individuals.
Control
Manipulating the independent variable in an experiment or any other extraneous variables that could affect the results of a study.
Control Group
The group of participants that does not receive any level of the independent variable and serves as the baseline in a study.
Correlational Method
A method in which the degree of relationship between two variables is assessed.
Dependent Variable
The variable in a study that is measured by the researcher.
Experimental Group
The group of participants that receives some level of the independent variable.
Experimental Method
A research method that allows a researcher to establish a cause-and-effect relationship through manipulation of a variable and control of the situation.
Independent Variable
The variable in a study that is manipulated by the researcher.
Laboratory Observation
Observing the behavior of humans or other animals in a more contrived and controlled situation, usually the laboratory.
Naturalistic Observation
Observing the behavior of humans or other animals in their natural habitat.
Negative Relationship
A relationship between two variables in which an increase in one variable is accompanied by a decrease in the other variable.
Observational Methods
Make observations of human or other animal behavior.
Population
All of the people about whom a study is meant to generalize.
Positive Relationship
A relationship between two variables in which an increase in one variable is accompanied by an increase in the other variable.
Quasi-experimental Method
A study in which the variable of interest cannot be manipulated.
Random Assignment
Assigning participants randomly to the groups in a study.
Random Sample
A means of generating a representative sample.
Sample
The group of people who participate in a study.
Subject (Participant) Variable
A characteristic inherent in the participants that cannot be changed.
Survey Method
Questioning individuals on a topic or topics and then describing their responses.
Three goals of schience
descrive
predict
explain
Adantages/disadvantages Description Method
Advantages:
Study large groups
Flexible
allows dicription of behaviour
Disadvantages:
Non flexible
Does not support reliable predictions
Does not support cause and effect predictions
Adantages/disadvantages Prediction Method
Advantages:
allows discription of behaviors
supports predictions of one variable based on another
Disadvantages:
Does not support cause and effect relations.