Chapter 2 Section 1: What Is Research?

Correlation

How two sets of data relate to each other; the measure of a relationship between two variables or sets of data

Experimental group

Participants who are exposed to the independent variable; the group to which an independent variable is applied

Control group

Participants who are treated the same way as the experimental group, except that they are not exposed to the independent variable

Sample

A relatively small group of the total population under study; the small group of participants, out of the total number available, that a researcher studies

Hypothesis

An educated guess about the expected outcome; an educated guess about the relationship between two variables

Case study

An intensive study of a person or group; research method that involves an intensive investigation of one or more particpants

Variable

Conditions and behaviors that are subject to change; any factor that is capable of change

Observe; modify questions

Interviews allow a researcher to (o)_________ the participant and (m)_____(q)_________ if the participant seems confused by them

Cross-sectional study

Psychologists organize individuals into groups on the basis of age; research method in which data is collected from groups of participants of different ages and compared so that conclusions can be drawn about differences due to age

Less time; uniform; answers; same question; eliminate; possibility; influence; unconsciously; misleading; look good

Questionnaires take (l)___(t)_____ to administer and the results are more (u)_________ because everyone (a)_____the (s)______(q)________. They also (e)____________ the (p)___________ that the researcher will (i)___________the participant by (u)____________ frowning at an answer he or she does not like. Of course, there is always a danger that participants will give (m)____________ answers in order to make themselves (l)_________(g)_________

Naturalistic observation

Research method in which the psychologist observes the subject in a natural setting without interfering; avoid disturbing the people or animals you are studying by concealing yourself or by acting as unobtrusively as possible

Longitudinal studies

Studies the same group of people at regular intervals over a period of years to determine whether their behavior and/or feelings have changed and if so, how; research method in which data is collected about a group of participants over a number of years to assess how certain characteristics change or remain the same during development

Stratified sample

Subgroups in the population are represented proportionately in the sample

Ethics

The methods of conduct, or standards, for proper and responsible behavior

Surveys

The most practical way to gather data on the attitudes, beliefs, and experiences of large numbers of people; research method in which information is obtained by asking many individuals a fixed set of questions

Dependent variable

The variable that changes in relation to the independent variable

Independent variable

The variable that experimenters change or alter so they can observe its effects

Cross-sectional studies

What am I? Research method in which data is collected from groups or participants of different ages and compared so that conclusions can be drawn about differences due to age. Example: In 1955, researchers conducted a cross-sectional study in which they showed 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 year olds a picture of a serious looking woman. The psychologists then asked the participants what they thought the woman was thinking about. The psychologists found that older children seemed to have a clearer picture of mental processes. They concluded that as children mature, their understanding of mental processes improves

Surveys

What am I? Research method in which information is obtained by asking many individuals a fixed set of questions. May consist of interviews, questionnaires, or a combination of the two. Example: A person going around asking people what their views are on the presidential election coming up.

Case studies

What am I? Research method that involves an intensive investigation of one or more participants. Many of them combine long-term observations with diaries, tests, and interviews. Example: Sigmund Freud's theory of personality development was based on case studies of his patients

Correlations

What am I? The measure of a relationship between two variables or sets of data. Example: Positive correlation- both sets of variables increase Negative correlation- one set of variables increase, the other decreases

Experiments

What am I? This enables the investigator to control the situation and the decrease the possibility that unnoticed, outside variables will influence the results. This contains a hypothesis, experimental group, control group, and variables. Example: Milgram's experiment

Longitudinal studies

What am I? Research method in which data is collected about a group of participants over a number of years to assess how certain characteristics change or remain the same during development Example: In 1956, psychologists followed 133 infants as they grew into adulthood, discovering that children are born with different temperaments

Naturalistic observation

What am I? Research method in which the psychologist observes the subject in a natural setting without interfering. Example: Jane Goodall living among chimpanzees after being accepted by them as a family and observing them.

Naturalistic observation

What research method would you use to find out how many people noticed a company's new billboard?