Unit 0

Question 1

A carefully worded statement of the exact procedure used in a research study.

Answer 1

Operational Definition

Question 2

A non-experimental technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group.

Answer 2

Survey

Question 3

Thinking that does not automatically accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden bias, evaluates evidence and assesses conclusions.

Answer 3

Critical Thinking

Question 4

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it. (i-knew-it-all-along phenomenon).

Answer 4

Hindsight Bias

Question 5

Scientific experts who evaluate a research articles’ theory, originality and accuracy.

Answer 5

Peer Reviewers

Question 6

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events.

Answer 6

Theory

Question 7

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Answer 7

Hypothesis

Question 8

The possibility that an idea, hypothesis or theory can be disproven by observation or experiment.

Answer 8

Falsifiable

Question 9

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether basic findings can be reproduced.

Answer 9

Replication

Question 10

A non-experimental technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.

Answer 10

Case Study

Question 11

A non-experimental technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.

Answer 11

Naturalistic Observation

Question 12

Bias from people’s responding in ways they presume a researcher expects or wishes.

Answer 12

Social Desirability Bias

Question 13

Bias when people report their behavior inaccurately.

Answer 13

Self-Report Bias

Question 14

A flawed sampling process that produces and unrepresentable sample.

Answer 14

Sampling Bias

Question 15

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

Answer 15

Random Sample

Question 16

All those in a group being studied, from which random samples may be drawn.

Answer 16

Population

Question 17

A measure of the extent to which to factors vary together, and thus how well either factor predicts the other.

Answer 17

Correlation

Question 18

A statistical index of the relationship between two variables (from -1.00 to +1.00)

Answer 18

Correlation Coefficient

Question 19

Anything that can vary and is feasible and ethical to measure.

Answer 19

Variable

Question 20

Perceiving a relationship where none exists, or perceiving a stronger-than-actual relationship.

Answer 20

Illusory Correlation

Question 21

A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship (+ or -) and the amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation.

Answer 21

Scatterplot

Question 22

The tendency for extreme or unusual scores or events to fall back towards the average.

Answer 22

Regression towards the mean

Question 23

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process.

Answer 23

Experiment

Question 24

In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment.

Answer 24

Experimental group

Question 25

In an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment.

Answer 25

Control group

Question 26

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance.

Answer 26

Random assignment

Question 27

An experimental procedure in which the research participants are unaware if they have received the treatment or a placebo.

Answer 27

Single-blind procedure

Question 28

An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are unaware of who received the treatment and who received the placebo.

Answer 28

Double-blind procedure

Question 29

Experimental results caused by expectations alone.

Answer 29

Placebo effect

Question 30

In an experiment, the factor that is manipulated.

Answer 30

Independent Variable

Question 31

In an experiment the outcome that is measured.

Answer 31

Dependent Variable

Question 32

In an experiment, a factor other than the factor being studied that might influence a study's results.

Answer 32

Confounding Variable

Question 33

Bias caused when researchers may unintentionally influence results to confirm their own beliefs.

Answer 33

Experimenter Bias

Question 34

The extent to which a test or experiment measures or predicts what it is supposed to.

Answer 34

Validity

Question 35

A research method that relies on quantifiable, numerical data.

Answer 35

Quantitative research

Question 36

A research method that relies on in-depth narrative data that are not translated into numbers.

Answer 36

Qualitative research

Question 37

Giving potential participants enough information about a study to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate.

Answer 37

Informed consent

Question 38

The post-experimental explanation of a study including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants.

Answer 38

Debriefing

Question 39

Numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups

Answer 39

Descriptive Statistics

Question 40

A bar graph predicting a frequency distribution.

Answer 40

Histogram

Question 41

The most frequently occurring score in a distribution.

Answer 41

Mode

Question 42

The arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and dividing by the number of scores.

Answer 42

mean

Question 43

The middle score in a distribution, half the scores are above in and half the scores are below it.

Answer 43

Median

Question 44

The percentage of scores that are lower than a given score.

Answer 44

Percentile rank

Question 45

A representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value.

Answer 45

Skewed Distribution

Question 46

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution.

Answer 46

Range

Question 47

A measure of how much scores vary around the mean

Answer 47

Standard Deviation

Question 48

A symmetrical, bell shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data.

Answer 48

Normal curve

Question 49

Numerical data that allow one to generalize

Answer 49

Inferential Statistics

Question 50

A statistical statement of how likely it is that a result occurred by chance

Answer 50

Meta-Analisys

Question 51

The strength of the relationship between two variables.

Answer 51

Effect size