AP Psych Quiz2

Quiz 2 Research and Experimental Terms

naturalistic observation

observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

Case Study

an observation technique in which one person is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

correlational research

research that seeks to identify whether an association or relationship between two factors exists

third variable (confounding)

in correlational research, a variable that exerts a causal influence on both variable 1 and variable 2

Scatterplot

a graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables

correlational coefficient

a number between -1 and +1 expressing the degree of relationship between two variables

Positive correlation

A correlation where as one variable increases, the other also increases, or as one decreases so does the other. Both variables move in the same direction.

negative correlation

the relationship between two variables in which one variable increases as the other variable decreases

experimental method

A method of investigation used to demonstrate cause-and-effect relationships by purposely manipulating one factor thought to produce change in another factor.

independent variable

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.

dependent variable

The measurable effect, outcome, or response in which the research is interested.

confounding variable

a factor other than the independent variable that might produce an effect in an experiment

operational definition

a carefully worded statement of the exact procedures used in a research study

experimental group

In an experiment, the group that is exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable.

control group

In 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.

random assignment

assigning participants to experimental and control groups by chance, thus minimizing preexisting differences between those assigned to the different groups

placebo effect

experimental 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.

experimenter bias

a phenomenon that occurs when a researcher's expectations or preferences about the outcome of a study influence the results obtained

single-blind study

study in which the subjects do not know if they are in the experimental or the control group

double-blind study

An experiment in which neither the participant nor the researcher knows whether the participant has received the treatment or the placebo

placebo condition

condition in an experiment in which participants receive a treatment similar to the experimental treatment, but lacking the key feature of the treatment of interest

sample

A subset of the population

representative sample

a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population as a whole

sample bias

occurs when research participants are not representative of the larger population