research methods
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| 4881477330 | scientific method | a series of steps that scientists use to answer questions and solve problems |  | 0 |
| 4881477331 | empirical investigation | an approach to research that relies on sensory experience and observation as research data | 1 | |
| 4881477332 | theory | a testable explanation for a set of facts | 2 | |
| 4881477333 | hypothesis | possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question | 3 | |
| 4881477334 | operational definitions | clear, precise definitions and instructions about how to observe and measure concepts and variables | 4 | |
| 4881477335 | independent variable | the experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied |  | 5 |
| 4881477336 | random presentation | a process by which chance alone determines the order in which the stimulus is presented | 6 | |
| 4881477337 | data | a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn |  | 7 |
| 4881477338 | dependent variable | the variable that is measured in an experiment |  | 8 |
| 4881477339 | replicate | reproduce; duplicate | 9 | |
| 4881477340 | experiment | A set of controlled observations that test the hypothesis |  | 10 |
| 4881477341 | confounding variables | factors that cause differences between the experimental group and the control group other than the independent variable | 11 | |
| 4881477342 | controls | constraints that the experimenter places on the experiment to ensure that each subject has the exact same conditions |  | 12 |
| 4881477343 | random assignment | Assigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups. | 13 | |
| 4881477344 | ex post facto | Research in which we choose subjects based on a pre-existing condition. | 14 | |
| 4881477345 | correlational study | a research project designed to discover the degree to which two variables are related to each other |  | 15 |
| 4881477346 | survey | a technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of them |  | 16 |
| 4881477347 | naturalistic observation | observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation |  | 17 |
| 4881477348 | 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 | 18 | |
| 4881477349 | 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 | 19 | |
| 4881477350 | 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. | 20 | |
| 4881477351 | personal bias | the researcher allowing personal beliefs to affect the outcome of a study | 21 | |
| 4881477352 | expectancy bias | the researcher allowing his or her expectations to affect the outcome of a study | 22 | |
| 4881477353 | double blind study | an experiment in which neither the participant nor the researcher knows whether the participant has received the treatment or the placebo |  | 23 |
| 4881477354 | institutional review board | a committee at each institution where research is conducted to review every experiment for ethics and methodology | 24 | |
| 4881477355 | 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 | 25 | |
| 4881477356 | frequency distribution | ..., An arrangement of data that indicates how often a particular score or observation occurs. | 26 | |
| 4881477357 | histogram | a bar graph that shows the frequency of data within equal intervals |  | 27 |
| 4881477358 | descriptive statistics | statistical procedures used to describe characteristics and responses of groups of subjects | 28 | |
| 4881477359 | mean | the arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores |  | 29 |
| 4881477360 | median | The middle number in a set of numbers that are listed in order | 30 | |
| 4881477361 | mode | The number that occurs most often in a set of data | 31 | |
| 4881477362 | standard deviation | a measure of variability that describes an average distance of every score from the mean |  | 32 |
| 4881477363 | 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 |  | 33 |
| 4881477364 | correlation | a reciprocal relation between two or more sets of data |  | 34 |
| 4881477365 | correlation coefficient | A statistical measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other | 35 | |
| 4881477366 | 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 | 36 | |
| 4881477367 | random sample | a sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion. | 37 | |
| 4881477368 | representative sample | a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population as a whole | 38 | |
| 4881477369 | 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 | 39 |
