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AP Psychology - Research Methods Flashcards

Advanced Placement Psychology
Enterprise High School, Redding, CA
All terms from Myers Psychology for AP (BFW Worth, 2011)

Terms : Hide Images
5817154980Hindsight BiasThe tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it. (Also known as the I-knew-it-all-along phenomenon.)0
5817154981Critical ThinkingThinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions. Rather, it examines assumptions, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.1
5817154982TheoryAn explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events.2
5817154983HypothesisA testable prediction, often implied by a theory.3
5817154984Operational DefinitionA statement of the procedures used to define research variables, or how we make the variables measurable; i.e., extroversion could be operationally defined by a score on a personality test. Necessary for replication of the study.4
5817154985ReplicationRepeating 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.5
5817154986Case StudyAn observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles.6
5817154987SurveyA technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group.7
5817154988PopulationAll the cases in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn.8
5817154989Random SampleA sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.9
5817154990Naturalistic ObservationObserving and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.10
5817154991CorrelationA measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus of how well either factor predicts the other.11
5817154992Correlation CoefficientA statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1).12
5817154993ScatterplotA graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables. The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between the two variables.13
5817154994Illusory CorrelationThe perception of a relationship where none exists.14
5817154995ExperimentA 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). By random assignment of participants, the investigator aims to control other relevant factors.15
5817154996Random AssignmentAssigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups.16
5817154997Double-Blind ProcedureAn 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. Commonly used in drug-evaluation studies.17
5817154998Placebo EffectExperimental results caused by expectations alone; any effect on behavior caused by the administration of an inert substance or condition, which the recipient assumes is an active agent.18
5817154999Experimental GroupIn an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.19
5817155000Control GroupIn an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the treatment; contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.20
5817155001Independent VariableThe experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.21
5817155002Confounding VariableA factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.22
5817155003Dependent VariableThe outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.23
5817155004ModeThe most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution.24
5817155005MeanThe arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores.25
5817155006MedianThe middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it.26
5817155007RangeThe difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution.27
5817155008Standard DeviationA computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score.28
5817155009Normal CurveA symmetrical, bell-shape that describes the distribution of many types of data; most scores fall near the mean (68 percent fall within one standard deviation of it) and fewer and fewer near the extremes.29
5817155010Statistical SignificanceA statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance.30
5817155011CultureThe enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.31
5817155012Informed ConsentAn ethical principle that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate.32
5817155013DebriefingThe post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants.33
5817162139OverconfidenceBeing more confident than correct - which is further North?34
5817177647Confirmation BiasI only look for research that supports my existing opinion...I find I am right (rule for a 3 # sequence)35
5817185407ReplicateUsing the same methods as a previously published study & seeing is results match36
5817203315Random sampleUsing a random number generator to select participants from a population37
5817207206Representative SampleDemographic %s (i.e. race) of population match %s in sample38
5817221934Control VariablesFactors that the researcher keeps constant as to NOT impact the D.V.39
5817236098Correlation CoefficientShows strength AND direction of variable relationship40
5817243430Positive SkewMost scores are on the LOWER end41
5817250360Negative SkewMost scores are on the HIGHER end42
5817260602DV on y axis & IV on x axisIf students are engaged then test scores will be higher.43
5817289702Statistical Significance = .05Results are NOT due to chance44
5817292548Informed consentParticipants know what they will be doing & that they can decline participation45
5817300146ConfidentialityDr. Turner cannot tell the outcome for an identified individual46
5817312723Institutional Review BoardsApproval of research studies before they are conducted to make sure research is ethical47

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