Research Methods

Question 1

Critical Thinking

Answer 1

the support of beliefs through scientific observation/thinking

Question 2

Hypothesis

Answer 2

a precise, testable statement of what researchers predict will be the outcome of the study

Question 3

Theories

Answer 3

an explanation or model that fits many observations and makes valid predictions

Question 4

Observer Effect

Answer 4

the recognition that researchers are interacting with the system and changing the phenomenon being studied ( usually through instruments of measurements )

Question 5

Observer Bias

Answer 5

answering questions the way you think they would want them to be answered

Question 6

Positive Correlation

Answer 6

direct relationship where results lean in the same direction ( pos and pos, neg and neg )

Question 7

Negative Correlation

Answer 7

inverse relationship where results are opposite of one another ( pos and neg, neg and pos )

Question 8

Zero Correlation

Answer 8

no correlation ( is .000 )

Question 9

Illusory Correlation

Answer 9

is an illusion where something looks like it is there but nothing is

Question 10

Dependent Variable

Answer 10

experimental factor to measure ( manipulates the independent variable )

Question 11

Independent Variable

Answer 11

experimental factor that is manipulated (what researchers are studying)

Question 12

Confounding Variables

Answer 12

condition,other than the one being manipulated, that affect the D.V

Question 13

Experimenter Effect

Answer 13

any influence a researcher may have on the results of his or her research, derived from either interaction with participants or unintentional errors of observation, measurement, analysis, or interpretation

Question 14

Representative Sample

Answer 14

the most accurate sample, but the most difficult to achieve (is a mirror of population [reflects perfectly, just decreased])

Question 15

Random Sample

Answer 15

every member of the population has an equal chance of being in the sample

Question 16

Convenience Sample

Answer 16

whatever is easiest for you (the experimentalist), but is the least accurate and most easily to achieve

Question 17

Operational Definitions

Answer 17

define research variables, allows for replication (makes it easier for researchers to replicate the experiment)

Question 18

Population

Answer 18

entire group that hypothesis applies to (ex: (u.s) women athletes 18-34)

Question 19

Placebo (group/effect)

Answer 19

one group gets the active treatment, the other gets the placebo* (*a substance that has no therapeutic effect, used as a control in testing new drugs)

Question 20

Control Group

Answer 20

group where nothing is varied

Question 21

Experimental Group

Answer 21

exposed to the independent variable

Question 22

Experimenter Bias

Answer 22

when the observer’s prejudices influence his behaviors towards the people they’re observing

Question 23

Double-Blind Study

Answer 23

study in which the neither the experimenter nor the subjects know if the subjects are in the experimental or control group

Question 24

Sample

Answer 24

a portion of the population

Question 25

Courtesy Bias

Answer 25

the tendency for respondents to understate any dissatisfaction because they don't want to offend the organization seeking their opinion

Question 26

Data

Answer 26

facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis

Question 27

Correlation Coefficient

Answer 27

Mathematical estimate of relationship (ranges from +1→-1)

Question 28

Scatter Plot

Answer 28

graph that represents data, strength of relationship and it’s direction (direction proves negative or positive [more packed in shows a strong correlation, less is weaker correlation] and zero correlation has the points far apart from each other)

Question 29

Case Study

Answer 29

an in-depth study of a condition, individual, or small group that often just guides future research, but is narrow

Question 30

Describe (goal)

Answer 30

1st goal of research, having a detailed record of observations

Question 31

Understand (goal)

Answer 31

3rd goal of research, to figure out the cause of the behavior that is occurring

Question 32

Predicting (goal)

Answer 32

2nd goal of research, to try to figure out future behaviors

Question 33

Controlling (goal)

Answer 33

4th goal of research, to alter the conditions in order to change the behavior