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Psych 495 Ch 2 Defs
Definitions from Chapter 02
Term | Definition |
---|---|
field experiment | a study method in which researchers manipulate an independent variable in a natural setting while maintaining as much control as possible over the research situation. |
hypotheses | derivations of theoretical postulates that can be tested in research |
theoretical postulates | proposed links among variables; the underpinnings of theories |
validity | the amount that a measure assesses the characteristic it is supposed to assess, and that it assess all aspects of that characteristic and only that characteristic |
laboratory experiment | research in a highly controlled environment |
dependent variable | the proposed effect in cause-and-effect |
independent variable | the proposed cause in cause-and-effect; the variable that is manipulated in experiments |
experimental research strategy | study method in which researchers take control of a situation to ensure the three criteria for causality are met |
test-retest reliability | when the same people complete the same measure at different times, and the correlation coefficient between the scores of the first and second time are computed |
reliability | the consistency of a measure in providing the same result with the same person |
content analysis | study method that examines media that people create to identify themes that help the researcher understand the topic of study |
hypothetical constructs | abstract concepts that are used in theories and studied in research |
internal consistency | the extent to which people respond in the same way to all items on a measure |
ethnographic research | study method using a variety of qualitative data collection techniques to come to an understanding of how people experience and interpret events in their own lives, emphasizing influence of context on behavior |
Implicit Association Test (IAT) | a method which uses response competition - pitting a habitual response against an opposing one and testing increase in level of difficulty in responding |
priming | a phenomenon in which exposure of an example of a member of a category activates concepts associated with the category; used as an implicit cognitive measure |
self-report | asking people questions and recording the answers |
conditions of independent variable | sets of experiences that represent different aspects of the independent variable |
unobtrusive measures | measures characterized by subtlety, giving the impression of unrelatedness to the actual subject of study |
discriminant validity | the extent to which a measure does NOT assess characteristics it is not supposed to assess |
correlation coefficient | the strength of the relationship between 2 variables |
convenience sampling | research in which the sample consists of people from whom researchers can easily collect data, for example, college students |
probability sampling | researchers begin by defining a research population and select a sample from that population, with the characteristics of the population repeated on a small scale |
survey search | a study method in which respondents answer questions designed to assess their attitudes, beliefs, opinions, behaviors and personalities |
correlational research strategy | study method in which researchers measure 2 or more variables and look for relationships among them |
generalizeability | the amount that study results are similar across variations in research procedure |
conceptual replication | repeating a study with changes in procedures |
exact replication | repeating a study in all particulars |
prediction(s) | restatement of a hypothesis in terms of operational definitions |
operational definitions | directly observable, concrete representations of hypothetical constructs |
variable | characteristic on which people differ, which takes on more than one value when measured across groups, as it varies across people |
convergent validity | the degree to which scores on a measure correlate with scores on measures of the same or related characteristics and the attendant behaviors |
social desirability response bias | the phenomenon in which subjects temper their responses in reaction to awareness of observation |