Modules 4-8

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it 

Thinking that does not blindly accept arguments and conclusions

Examines assumptions, assesses the source, discerns hidden values, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions

An explanation using an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviors or events 

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

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

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding extends to other participants and circumstances

A descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

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

A technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of the group

A flawed sampling process that produces an unrepresentative sample

All those in a group being studied, from which samples may be drawn

A sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion

A measure of the extent to which two variables change together, and thus of how well either variable predicts the other

A statistical index of the relationship between two variables (from -1.0 to +1.0)

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

The slope of the points suggests the direction of the relationship between two variables

The amount of scatter suggests the strength of the correlation (little scatter indicates high correlation)

The perception of a relationship where none exists

A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (dependent variables)

By random assignment of the participants, the experimenter aims to control other relevant variables

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

In an experiment, the group not exposed to the treatment

Contrasts with the experimental group and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment

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

An experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant to whether the participants have received the treatment or a placebo

Commonly used in drug-evaluation studies

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

The experimental factor that is manipulated

The variable whose effect is being studied

An extra variable that may or may not interfere with an experiment (ex. weather, clothing)

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

Often used in correlational studies

A variable (could be considered confounding) in an experiment that can help explain correlation

The outcome factor

The variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable

The extent to which a test or experiment measures or predicts what it is supposed to

Numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of groups

Includes measures of central tendency and measures of variation

A bar graph depicting a frequency distribution

The most frequently occurring score(s) in a distribution

The arithmetic average of a distribution

The middle score in a distribution

Half the scores are above it and half are below it

A representation of scores that lack symmetry around their average value

The difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution

A computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean score

(aka normal distribution)

A symmetrical, bell-shaped curve that describes the distribution of many types of data

Most scores fall near the mean (about 68% fall within one standard deviation of it) and fewer and fewer near the extremes

Numerical data that allows one to generalize-to infer from sample data the probability of something being true of a population

A statistical statement of how likely it is that an obtained result occurred by chance

(aka probability value)

Measures how likely it is that any observed difference between groups is due to chance

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next

An ethical principle that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate

The postexperimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants