All Flashcards
Compare Random Sampling and Random Assignment.
Random sampling is randomly selecting participants from the population, while random assignment is randomly assigning participants to different experimental groups.
Compare Control Variables and Control Groups.
Control variables are kept constant across all groups, while a control group is a group that does not receive the treatment.
Compare Basic and Applied Research.
Basic research builds foundational knowledge; applied research solves specific problems.
Define Basic Research.
Curiosity-driven research that expands knowledge without immediate practical goals.
Define Applied Research.
Problem-solving research that aims to address real-world issues directly.
What is a Theory?
An explanation for observed behavior; a starting point for research.
Define Hypothesis.
A testable prediction based on a theory; an educated guess.
What is an Operational Definition?
Defining variables in a study so that it can be replicated by others.
Define Independent Variable (IV).
The variable that is changed or manipulated by the researcher; the cause.
Define Dependent Variable (DV).
The variable that is affected by the independent variable; the effect.
Define Confounding Variable.
An outside factor that can mess with the results of a study.
What is a Control Variable?
Variables kept the same to ensure a fair test.
Define Random Assignment.
Participants have an equal chance of being in any group, making the groups similar at the start.
Define Sampling Bias.
When the sample isn't representative of the population, skewing results.
Define Experimenter Bias.
When the researcher unintentionally influences the results of a study.
What is Hindsight Bias?
The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it.
What is the effect of manipulating the Independent Variable?
It causes a change in the Dependent Variable.
What is the effect of a Confounding Variable on study results?
It can lead to spurious correlations and inaccurate conclusions.
What is the effect of Random Assignment on group differences?
It minimizes pre-existing differences between groups, allowing for cause-and-effect conclusions.
What is the effect of Sampling Bias on research findings?
It can skew the results and make them unrepresentative of the population.
What is the effect of Experimenter Bias on study outcomes?
It can unintentionally influence the results, leading to inaccurate conclusions.
What is the effect of Hindsight Bias on our perception of events?
It leads us to believe we could have predicted an event after it has already happened.
What is the effect of Overconfidence on decision-making?
It can lead to errors in judgment and poor choices.
What is the effect of Perceiving Order in Random Events on our beliefs?
It can lead to superstitious beliefs and irrational behavior.
What is the effect of the Hawthorne Effect on study participants?
It can cause them to alter their behavior simply because they are being observed.
What is the effect of a lack of control variables?
It makes it difficult to determine the true effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.