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.
How is understanding the Hawthorne Effect useful in workplace settings?
It helps managers understand that employee behavior may change simply because they are being observed, which can influence productivity studies.
How can operational definitions be applied in educational settings?
Defining 'student success' as 'achieving a certain grade point average' allows for measurable evaluation of teaching methods.
How is understanding sampling bias important in political polling?
Ensuring a representative sample of the population is crucial for accurate predictions of election outcomes.
How can the concept of experimenter bias be applied in medical research?
Using double-blind procedures in drug trials minimizes the risk of researchers unintentionally influencing the results.
How can understanding hindsight bias help in decision-making?
Recognizing that we might overestimate our ability to predict past events can make us more cautious in future predictions.
How can understanding overconfidence help in financial investments?
Acknowledging that we might be overconfident in our investment knowledge can lead to more diversified and less risky portfolios.
How can understanding perceiving order in random events help in gambling?
Recognizing that streaks in gambling are often random can prevent the gambler's fallacy and reduce losses.
Give an example of applied research.
Developing a new therapy technique to treat PTSD.
Give an example of basic research.
Investigating the neural pathways involved in memory formation.
How can control variables be applied in cooking?
Using the same ingredients, oven, and baking time to ensure a cake recipe produces consistent results.