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Chapter 2 of Nairne's "Psychology", Fouth Edition. The Tools of Psycho

Terms

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Scientific Method
A multistep technique that generates knowledge derived from systematic observations of the world.
Operational Definition
Definitions that specify how concepts can be observed and measured.
Correlational Research
Used to solve the problem of prediction.
Experimental Research
A technique in which the investigator actively manipulates the environment to observe its effect on behavior.
Ethical Principles
Helps ensure that all research subjects are treated with dignity and respect.
Descriptive Research
Methods designed to observe and describe behavior.
Reactivity
When behavior changes as a result of the observation process.
External Validity
The extent to which results generalize to other situations or are representative of real life.
Naturalistic Observation
A descriptive research technique that records naturally occurring behavior as opposed to behavior produced in the laboratory.
Participant Observation
Where the observer attempts to become a part of the activities being studied, to blend in the group.
Case Study
A descriptive research technique in which the effort is focused on a single case, usually an individual.
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Multiple personality disorder
Survey
A descriptive research technique designed to gather limited amounts of information from many people, usually by administering some kind of questionnaire.
Sample
A subset of individuals from a target population.
Random Sampling
A procedure guaranteeing that everyone in the population has an equal likelihood of being selected for the sample.
Achievement Tests
Measure a person's current level of knowledge or competence in a particulkar subject.
Aptitude Tests
Designed to measure the potential for success in a given profession or area of study.
Central Tendency
The value around which scores tend to cluster.
Mean
The arithmetic average of a set of scores.
Mode
The most frequently occurring score in a set of scores.
Median
The middle point in an ordered set of scores; half of the scores fall at or below the mesian score, and half fall at or above the median score.
Variability
A measure of how much the scores in a distribution of scores differ from one another.
Range
The difference between the largest and smallest scores in a distribution.
Standard Deviation
An indication of how much individual scores differ or vary from the mean.
Descriptive Statistics
Mathematical techniques that help researchers describe their data.
Inferential Statistics
Mathematical techniques that help researchers decide whether data are representative of a population or whether differences among observations can be attributed to chance.
Correlation
A statistic that indicates whether two variables vary together in a systematic way; correlation coefficients vary from +1.00 to -1.00
Correlation Coefficients
Give the researcher a feel for how well the value of one variable can be predicted if the value of the second variable is known.
Independent Variable
The aspect of the environment that is manipulated in an experiment. It must consist of at least two conditions.
Dependent Variable
The behavior that is measured or observed in an experiment.
Confounding Variable
An uncontrolled variable that changes along with the independent variable.
Internal Validity
The extent to which an experiment has effectively controlled for confounding variables; internally valid experiments allow for the determination pf casuality.
Random Assignment
A technique ensuring that each participant in an experiment has an equal chance of being assigned to any of the conditions in the experiment.
Placebo
An inactive substance that resembles an experimental substance.
Single-blind Study
Experimental participants do not know to which condition they've been assigned; it's used to control for subject expectancies.
Double-blind Study
Neither participants nor research observers are aware of who has been assigned to the experimental and control groups; it's used to control for both subject and experimenter expectancies.
Informed Consent
The principle that before consenting to participate in research, people should be fully informed about any significant factors that could affect their willingness to participate.
Debreifing
At the conclusion of an experimental session, informing the participants about the general purpose of the experiment, including any deception that was involved.
Confidentiality
The principle that personal information obtained from the participant in research or therapy should not be revealed without the individual's permission.

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