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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
4798622970Hindsight 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
4798622973HypothesisA TESTABLE prediction, often implied by a theory.1
4798622974Operational DefinitionA statement of the procedures (operations) used to define research variables. HOW will you measure that variable?2
4798622975ReplicationRepeating 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.3
4798622978PopulationAll the cases in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn.4
4798996474representative samplinga sample from a larger population that is statistically typical of that population.5
4798622979Random SampleA sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.6
4798622982Correlation CoefficientA statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1). 0= no correlation7
4798622983ScatterplotA 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.8
4798622984Illusory CorrelationThe perception of a relationship where none exists. Often responsible for superstitions.9
4798622985ExperimentA 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. The only way to show a cause-effect relationship.10
4798622986Random AssignmentAssigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups. This makes it easier to tell if the I.V. truly affected the D.V.11
4798622987Double-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.12
4798622988Placebo 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.13
4798622989Experimental GroupIn an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.14
4798622990Control 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.15
4798622991Independent VariableThe experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.16
4798622992Confounding VariableA factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.17
4798622993Dependent VariableThe outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.18
4798622994ModeThe most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution.19
4798622995MeanThe arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores.20
4798622996MedianThe middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it.21
4798622997RangeThe difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution.22
4798622998Standard DeviationA computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score.23
4798622999Normal 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.24
4798623000Statistical SignificanceA statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance. Usually 5% difference is significant25
4801255542Hawthorne Effecttendency of some people to work harder and perform better when they are participants in an experiment. Individuals may change their behavior due to the attention they are receiving from researchers rather than because of any manipulation of independent variables.26

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