research methods
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| 296273116 | scientific method | a series of steps that scientists use to answer questions and solve problems | |
| 296273117 | empirical investigation | an approach to research that relies on sensory experience and observation as research data | |
| 296273118 | theory | a testable explanation for a set of facts | |
| 296273119 | hypothesis | possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question | |
| 296273120 | operational definitions | clear, precise definitions and instructions about how to observe and measure concepts and variables | |
| 296273121 | independent variable | the experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied | |
| 296273122 | random presentation | a process by which chance alone determines the order in which the stimulus is presented | |
| 296273123 | data | a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn | |
| 296273124 | dependent variable | the variable that is measured in an experiment | |
| 296273125 | replicate | reproduce; duplicate | |
| 296273126 | experiment | A set of controlled observations that test the hypothesis | |
| 296273127 | confounding variables | factors that cause differences between the experimental group and the control group other than the independent variable | |
| 296273128 | controls | constraints that the experimenter places on the experiment to ensure that each subject has the exact same conditions | |
| 296273129 | random assignment | Assigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups. | |
| 296273130 | ex post facto | Research in which we choose subjects based on a pre-existing condition. | |
| 296273131 | correlational study | a research project designed to discover the degree to which two variables are related to each other | |
| 296273132 | survey | a technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them | |
| 296273133 | naturalistic observation | observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation | |
| 296273134 | longitudinal study | research method in which data is collected about a group of participants over a number of years to assess how certain characteristics change or remain the same during development | |
| 296273135 | cross sectional study | research method in which data is collected from groups of participants of different ages and compared so that conclusions can be drawn about differences due to age | |
| 296273136 | cohort sequential study | A research method in which a cross section of the population is chosen and then each cohort is followed for a short period of time. | |
| 296273137 | personal bias | the researcher allowing personal beliefs to affect the outcome of a study | |
| 296273138 | expectancy bias | the researcher allowing his or her expectations to affect the outcome of a study | |
| 296273139 | double blind study | an experiment in which neither the participant nor the researcher knows whether the participant has received the treatment or the placebo | |
| 296273140 | institutional review board | a committee at each institution where research is conducted to review every experiment for ethics and methodology | |
| 296273141 | institutional animal care and use committee | a committee at each institution where research is conducted to review every experiment involving animals for ethics and methodology | |
| 296273142 | frequency distribution | ..., An arrangement of data that indicates how often a particular score or observation occurs. | |
| 296276744 | histogram | a bar graph that shows the frequency of data within equal intervals | |
| 296276745 | descriptive statistics | statistical procedures used to describe characteristics and responses of groups of subjects | |
| 296276746 | mean | the arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores | |
| 296276747 | median | The middle number in a set of numbers that are listed in order | |
| 296276748 | mode | The number that occurs most often in a set of data | |
| 296276749 | standard deviation | a measure of variability that describes an average distance of every score from the mean | |
| 296276750 | normal distribution | a symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean (68% fall within one standard deviation of it) and fewer near the extremes | |
| 296276751 | correlation | a reciprocal relation between two or more sets of data | |
| 296276752 | correlation coefficient | A statistical measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other | |
| 296276753 | inferential statistics | set of mathematical procedures that help researchers learn if their research data reflects a true relationship or could be due to random chance | |
| 296276754 | random sample | a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion. | |
| 296276755 | representative sample | a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population as a whole | |
| 296276756 | significant difference | in an experiment, a difference that is unlikely to have occurred because of chance alone and is inferred to be most likely due to the systematic manipulations of variables by the researcher |
