Research Methods Unit Practice Test

The condition that exists when the probability that the findings are not due to chance

• statistical significance
• experimenter bias
• confounding variables

each time a study is repeated, the results are consistent.

• validity
• reliability
• sample

Factors that cause differences between the experimental group and control group other than the independent variable. 

• control group
• population
• confounding variables

The factor the researcher manipulates in a controlled experiment

• dependent variable
• independent variable
• confounding variable

The subgroup of the population that participates in the study

• sample
• assignment
• group

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

• placebo
• case study
• experimenter bias

The subgroup of the sample that receives the independent variable.

• experimental group
• control group
• population

Division of the sample into groups so that every individual has an equal chance of being put in any group or condition.

• single blind
• double blind
• random assignment
• random sampling

A psychological or physical treatment given to the control group that resembles the treatment given to the experimental group, but that contains no active ingredient. 

• independent variable
• placebo
• dependent variable

A description of the specific procedure used to determine the presence of a variable.  Created so that the experiment can be replicated by others.

• operational definition
• independent variable
• controlled group