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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
7266433522Hindsight 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
7266433523HypothesisA TESTABLE prediction, often implied by a theory.1
7266433524Operational DefinitionA statement of the procedures (operations) used to define research variables. HOW will you measure that variable?2
7266433525ReplicationRepeating 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
7266433526PopulationAll the cases in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn.4
7266433527representative samplinga sample from a larger population that is statistically typical of that population.5
7266433528Random SampleA sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.6
7266433529Correlation CoefficientA statistical index of the relationship between two things (from -1 to +1). 0= no correlation7
7266433530ScatterplotA 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
7266433531Illusory CorrelationThe perception of a relationship where none exists. Often responsible for superstitions.9
7266433532ExperimentA 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
7266433533Random 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
7266433534Double-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
7266433535Placebo 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
7266433536Experimental GroupIn an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.14
7266433537Control 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
7266433538Independent VariableThe experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.16
7266433539Confounding VariableA factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment.17
7266433540Dependent VariableThe outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.18
7266433541ModeThe most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution.19
7266433542MeanThe arithmetic average of a distribution, obtained by adding the scores and then dividing by the number of scores.20
7266433543MedianThe middle score in a distribution; half the scores are above it and half are below it.21
7266433544RangeThe difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution.22
7266433545Standard DeviationA computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score.23
7266433546Normal 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
7266433547Statistical SignificanceA statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance. Usually 5% difference is significant25
7266433548Hawthorne 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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