Questions and Answers
What is an operational definition?
What is a hypothesis?
A testable prediction, often implied by a theory
What is the independent variable?
The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied.
What is the dependent variable?
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What is a random sample?
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What is sampling bias?
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What is random assignment?
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What is a correlation coefficient?
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What is standard deviation?
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What is a double-blind procedure?
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What is internal validity?
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What is a control group?
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What is an observational study?
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Study Notes
Key Research Concepts in Psychology
- Operational definition: Specifies procedures to define variables in research, ensuring clarity and replicability.
- Hypothesis: A testable prediction based on a theory, guiding research questions and framing studies.
Research Design Elements
- Independent variable: The variable manipulated within an experiment to observe its effects.
- Dependent variable: The outcome measured in an experiment, which may change due to variations in the independent variable.
Sampling Techniques
- Random sample: A sampling method where every member of the population has an equal chance of selection, enhancing representativeness.
- Sampling bias: Occurs when the sampling process is flawed, leading to an unrepresentative sample and skewed results.
Experimental Procedures
- Random assignment: Allocates participants to groups by chance, minimizing preexisting differences and ensuring comparable groups.
- Double-blind procedure: Both participants and research staff are unaware of who receives treatment or placebo, reducing bias in drug studies.
Statistical Measures
- Correlation coefficient: Numeric value ranging from -1 to +1 indicating the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables.
- Standard deviation: A measure indicating how much scores deviate or vary from the mean, providing insight into data spread.
Validity and Control
- Internal validity: Reflects the extent to which a study can establish cause-and-effect relationships based on its design.
- Control group: A baseline group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment, allowing comparison against the experimental group.
Observational Studies
- Observational study: Gathers data by observing subjects without intervening, allowing for the assessment of variables without influence.
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Description
Test your knowledge of key terms related to operational definitions in psychology. This quiz covers essential concepts like hypotheses, independent and dependent variables. Ideal for AP Psychology students preparing for exams.