All Flashcards
Define Research Method.
Systematic way to investigate behavior and mental processes.
What is a Hypothesis?
A testable prediction about the relationship between variables.
Define Independent Variable.
The variable that is manipulated by the researcher.
What is a Dependent Variable?
The variable that is measured to see if it's affected.
Define Control Group.
Group that does not receive the experimental treatment.
What is the Experimental Group?
The group that receives the treatment.
Define Random Assignment.
Assigning participants to groups by chance.
What is a Confounding Variable?
A factor other than the IV that might affect the DV.
Define Operational Definition.
Precise description of how variables will be measured.
What is a Case Study?
In-depth investigation of a single individual or group.
Define Naturalistic Observation.
Observing behavior in its natural setting.
What is the effect of random assignment on experimental results?
Reduces the likelihood of systematic differences between groups.
What is the effect of a confounding variable on the dependent variable?
It can obscure or distort the true relationship between IV and DV.
What is the effect of experimenter bias on study outcomes?
Can lead to skewed results that confirm the researcher's expectations.
What is the effect of participant bias on study validity?
Can lead to inaccurate data due to social desirability or demand characteristics.
What is the effect of a large sample size on statistical power?
Increases the ability to detect a real effect.
What is the effect of using a control group in an experiment?
Provides a baseline for comparison to determine the effect of the IV.
What is the effect of not obtaining informed consent?
Violates ethical guidelines and can harm participants.
What is the effect of using deception in research?
Requires careful justification and thorough debriefing.
What is the effect of high internal validity on a study?
Increased confidence that the IV caused the changes in the DV.
What is the effect of low external validity on research findings?
Limits the generalizability of the results to other settings.
What is the effect of not controlling for the placebo effect?
May lead to overestimation of treatment effectiveness.
Compare experimental and correlational research.
Experimental: cause-effect; Correlational: relationships; manipulation vs. no manipulation.
Compare naturalistic observation and case study.
Naturalistic: real-world; Case study: in-depth, single subject; general vs. specific.
Compare random sampling and random assignment.
Random sampling: selecting participants; Random assignment: assigning to groups; generalizability vs. causality.
Compare internal and external validity.
Internal: cause-effect relationship; External: generalizability; control vs. realism.
Compare single-blind and double-blind studies.
Single-blind: participant unaware; Double-blind: both participant and researcher unaware; participant bias vs. both biases.
Compare cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.
Cross-sectional: data at one point in time; Longitudinal: data over a period; snapshot vs. development.
Compare qualitative and quantitative research.
Qualitative: descriptive; Quantitative: numerical; understanding vs. measuring.
Compare open-ended and closed-ended questions in surveys.
Open-ended: free response; Closed-ended: fixed choices; detail vs. efficiency.
Compare the use of surveys and interviews in data collection.
Surveys: efficient, large samples; Interviews: in-depth, detailed responses; breadth vs. depth.
Compare the strengths and weaknesses of using deception in research.
Strengths: allows study of natural behavior; Weaknesses: ethical concerns, potential harm; validity vs. ethics.
Compare the use of animals and humans in psychological research.
Animals: simpler systems, more control; Humans: complex behaviors, ethical constraints; control vs. relevance.