Unit 2: Research Methods Flashcards
The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it.
Hindsight Bias
Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, assesses the source, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.
Critical Thinking
An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events.
Theory
A testable prediction, often implied by a theory.
Hypothesis
A carefully worded statement of the exact procedures (operations) used in a research study. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test measures.
Operational Definition
Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances.
Replication
A descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.
Case Study
Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.
Naturalistic Observation
A technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group.
Survey
A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample.
Sampling Bias
All those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn.
Population
A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.
Random Sample
A measure of the extent to which two variables change together, and thus of how well either variable predicts the other.
Correlation
A statistical index of the relationship between two variables.
Correlation Coefficient
A graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables.
Scatterplot
The perception of a relationship where none exists.
Illusory Correlation
A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable)
Experiment
In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, one version of the independent variable.
Experimental Group
In an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment.
Control Group
Assigning participants to experimental and controls groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between the different groups.
Random Assignment
An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo.
Double-Blind Procedure
Experimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which recipient assumes is an active agent.
Placebo Effect
The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.
Independent Variable
A factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.
Confounding Variable
