Unit 1 - Vocab Types of Research Flashcards
(41 cards)
What is descriptive research?
Purpose to observe and record some phenomena; nothing is manipulated
What is a case study?
To study one or more individuals in great depth; generalization about behavior are made (bias).
What is naturalistic observation?
Observing and recording behavior without trying to manipulate the situation; flaw does not explain behavior.
What is a survey?
Ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people by questioning a sample of the population.
What are wording effects?
In a survey, word choice or the way the question is framed can affect or change the results of a survey.
What is sampling bias?
Flawed sampling process; produces an unrepresentative sample.
What is a population?
All the cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for a study.
What is a random sample?
A sample of the population that closely parallels the population.
What is random selection/assignment?
Every member of larger group has equal chance of being selected (unbiased); helps avoid false results.
What is correlational research?
Research that examines the relationship between variables (How well does A predict B?); Studies or tests how two variables change together; No manipulation of variables; Cannot imply a cause and effect relationship.
What is a correlation coefficient?
A statistical measure of the relationship between two variables; Range is from -1 to +1; correlation gets weaker as you get closer to zero.
What is a scatterplot?
A graph that depicts the strength of a relationship between two variables.
What is a positive correlation?
When variables vary systematically in the SAME direction (positive slope).
What is a negative correlation?
When variables vary systematically in OPPOSITE directions (negative slope; as one variable increases the other decreases).
What is an illusory correlation?
Perception of relationship where no relationship actually exists; correlation does not mean causation. Ex. superstitions > a black cat brings bad luck; picking up a penny makes you lucky; etc.
What is experimental research?
A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process; isolate cause and effect.
What is an experimental condition/group?
The group of participants that are exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.
What is a control condition/group?
A group of participants that contrasts with the experimental treatment (receives a placebo, not the treatment); serves as a comparison.
What is random assignment?
Participants that are randomly places into two groups. This helps control for confounding variables; creates multiple study groups that include participants with similar characteristics so that the groups are equivalent at the beginning of the study.
What is a double-blind procedure?
Both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo.
What is a placebo/placebo effect?
Inert substance or condition administered instead of a presumed active agent to see if it triggers the effect; can sometimes improve a patient’s condition because the person has believed that they have the real substance.
What is a placebo/placebo effect?
Inert substance or condition administered instead of a presumed active agent to see if it triggers the effect; can sometimes improve a patient’s condition because the person has believed that they have the real substance.
What is an independent variable?
The experimental factor that is manipulated; variable whose effect is being studied; IV changes DV; “If…then”
What is a confounding variable?
Extraneous variable; presence affects the results; does not reflect the actual relationship between the variables; explains “correlation does not mean causation”.
