Research Methods

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

• sampling bias

• random sample

• placebo

• random assignment

non-experimental research method of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation

• survey

• experiment

• naturalistic observation

• case study

the difference between the highest and lowest scores in a distribution

• range

• mean

• median

• mode

Non-experimental research method in which one individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

• survey

• experiment

• single-blind study

• case study

The post-experiment explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants

• validity

• informed consent

• random assignment

• debriefing

Both research participants and staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the participant has received the treatment or the placebo.

• random assignment

• placebo effect

• replication

• double-blind procedure

numerical data used to measure and describe characteristics of a group. Includes measures of central tendency and measures of variation

• descriptive statistics

• random assignment

• inferential statistics

• correlation

the outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to the manipulations of the independent variable

• confounding variable

• hypothesis

• dependent variable

• control group

A testable prediction

• correlation

• dependent variable

• hypothesis

• experiment

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

• reliability

• statistical significance

• validity

• correlation