Term 1: Research Methods in Psychology, Quizzes of Psychology

Download Term 1: Research Methods in Psychology and more Quizzes Psychology in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 Operationalizations DEFINITION 1 A working definition of a construct that specifies the operations you used to measure or manipulate it. -converting constructs into measurable empirical quantities or constructs -NO single operationalization for a construct Example IQ; Liking or Loving making something immeasurable, measurable TERM 2 Descriptive Studies DEFINITION 2 Naturalistic observations and case studies -Strength: - Weakness: TERM 3 Correlational Studies DEFINITION 3 Measuring two or more variables or examining the strength and nature of their associations. As one factor increases, does the other? Strength: Weakness: TERM 4 Experimental Studies DEFINITION 4 Manipulate one or more independent variables to see if there is a change in one or more dependent variables. TERM 5 Type I vs. Type II errors DEFINITION 5 WORST KIND=TYPE I TYPE I reject null when you should retain TYPE II retain the null when you should reject TERM 6 Concept of Variance DEFINITION 6 The central goal of data analysis: to account for variance TERM 7 Variance Definition DEFINITION 7 Variance: The average squared deviation of each data point from the sample mean. TERM 8 Between Groups Variance DEFINITION 8 Between-groups variance: the average squared deviation of each group mean from the total sample mean. TERM 9 Within Groups Variance DEFINITION 9 Within-groups variance: non-systematic/ extraneous/ error variance TERM 10 Goals of Experimental Design Continued DEFINITION 10 Minimizing within-groups variance: Control procedures of experiment, setting Sample selectively to create homogeneous groups Include potentially important variables in the design (see factorial designs) Measure variables that might account for error variance and control for them statistically TERM 21 Logic of Falsifiability DEFINITION 21 The falsifiability criterion -Theory-set of concepts used to explain a body of data and to generate predictions - Hypothesis- specific predictions derived from theories about the relationship between 2 or more variables -confirmation bias might occur TERM 22 Sampling Error DEFINITION 22 is the naturally occurring difference between a sample statistic and the corresponding population parameter. - the fundamental problem for inferential statistics is to differentiate between research results that represent real patterns or relationships, and those that result from sampling error. TERM 23 Nonequivalent group design DEFINITION 23 groups are formed under the circumstances that prevent the researcher from controlling the assignment of individuals to groups. TERM 24 Pretest-posttest nonequivalent control group design DEFINITION 24 measured groups before and after Differential effects Quasi- experimental TERM 25 Differential effects DEFINITION 25 any differences observed between 2 groups may be explained by their different histories. TERM 26 Time-Series Design DEFINITION 26 Quasi-experimental a series of observations for each participant before a treatment or event and a series of observations after. TERM 27 Regression to the mean DEFINITION 27 extreme values or scores tend to move back (or regress) toward the mean or typical value over time TERM 28 history effects DEFINITION 28 events outside of the researchers control might account for changes in DV ex: study of effectiveness of diet pill (Jan 1 to May 1)- is weight loss due to people taking the diet pill? TERM 29 Subject attrition DEFINITION 29 individuals may be gone before study before study ends. effects within subjects designs. TERM 30 Confounding Variable DEFINITION 30 a third variable that is allowed to change systematically along with the two variables being studied. TERM 31 Why a computed correlation is lower than expected DEFINITION 31 The real association is simply weak or non-existent Poor measurement (unreliable or invalid) Ceiling effects, floor effects non-linear associations between variables Suppressor variables are at work Outliers are reducing the correlation TERM 32 Partial Correlation DEFINITION 32 In probability theory and statistics, partial correlation measures the degree of association between two random variables, with the effect of a set of controlling random variables removed. TERM 33 Naturalistic Observations DEFINITION 33 Pros- Flexibility descriptive richness real-world phenomenon dramatic illustrations of phenomenon cons- illusory correlations and perception of contingent relationships observer biases assumptions expectations and agendas ex:crack babies TERM 34 Maturation DEFINITION 34 effects due to aging or the simple progress of time TERM 35 Re-testing effects DEFINITION 35 when people take the same measure multiple times, their scores might change artificially