Research Methods

Question 1

case studies

Answer 1

one individual or group is studied to depth to reveal universal principles. time consuming, detailed info, individual cases can mislead.

Question 2

meta-analysis

Answer 2

statistical procedure that combines conclusions of large # of different studies

Question 3

naturalistic observation

Answer 3

observe and record behavior in naturally occuring setting. doesn’t explain behavior, but describes it. ex: Jane Goodall

Question 4

surveys

Answer 4

asks people to self-report their behaviors or opinions, questioning a representative, random sample of group, can have low response rates. ex: political groups using election surveys

Question 5

sampling bias

Answer 5

produces an unrepresentative sample when results are generalized

Question 6

random sample

Answer 6

every person in the group has equal chance at participating

Question 7

correlational studies

Answer 7

detect naturally occurring relationships.
how does one variable predict another?
cannot determine cause/effect
can help predict
ex: mental illness correlates with smoking

Question 8

correlation

Answer 8

a measure of the relationship between 2 or more variables

Question 9

correlation coefficient

Answer 9

1 # that represents 2 things: direction of the relationship & strength

Question 10

positive correlation

Answer 10

increases in both variables

Question 11

negative correlation

Answer 11

increase in one, decrease in other variable

Question 12

correlation does not demonstrate causation

Answer 12

just b/c 2 variables are related doesn’t mean they cause other to occur

Question 13

third variable

Answer 13

outside factors that can affect the study

Question 14

confounding variable/third variable problem

Answer 14

when the third variable distorts the results

Question 15

illusory correlation

Answer 15

perceiving a relationship that is stronger than it actually is

Question 16

regression towards the mean

Answer 16

if one sample has extreme results, its likely the next will have avg results

Question 17

double blind

Answer 17

subjects and experimenters don’t know if the subjects are in control

Question 18

R

Answer 18

results have to be reliable and valid

Question 19

theory

Answer 19

an explanation on how things work

Question 20

experiment

Answer 20

specific, testable prediction based on theory

Question 21

operational definition

Answer 21

how ind/dep variables will be measured in experiment