Science Chapter 2 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What does empirical investigation mean?

It is based on careful measurements and direct observation.

What is a theory in science?

It is a testable explanation for a set of observations.

What is the difference between a theory and a hypothesis?

A hypothesis is often a specific prediction related to a larger theory.

What must a hypothesis be?

Testable and falsifiable. Signup and view all the answers

What is the operational definition of driving ability as used by Jenna?

The number of automobile accidents people have been involved in as a driver. Signup and view all the answers

In Jenna's study, what is the independent variable?

Whether a person is male or female. Signup and view all the answers

The independent variable , whereas the dependent variable .

is controlled by the researcher; is the measured outcome of the study. Signup and view all the answers

What does randomization do?

Reduces experimenter bias. Signup and view all the answers

What is the dependent variable in Gina's hiring discrimination study?

The response of the interviewer to each candidate. Signup and view all the answers

The test scores represent the ________ in this experiment.

dependent variable. Signup and view all the answers

What level must experiment results reach to ensure they are likely due to the independent variable?

Significantly below chance. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if results rise to the level of statistical significance?

The results are likely the result of manipulation of the independent variable. Signup and view all the answers

Measurements that use numbers to show levels, size, intensity, or amounts of a variable are said to be?

Quantified. Signup and view all the answers

This would represent ________ of the original research study.

replication. Signup and view all the answers

What do researchers design experiments to determine?

Whether the independent variable causes a change in the dependent variable. Signup and view all the answers

What would NOT be controlled to prevent extraneous variables from influencing the experiment outcome?

Place those who are more tired in the control group. Signup and view all the answers

What does random assignment mean?

All participants should have an equal chance of being placed in either the control or experimental group. Signup and view all the answers

A participant who is exposed to the special treatment is said to be in the ________ condition.

experimental. Signup and view all the answers

What could a correlational study on attendance and GPA potentially conclude all of the following EXCEPT?

Coming to school causes individuals to get higher grades. Signup and view all the answers

If a study finds a negative correlation between exercise and blood pressure, what does this indicate?

People who exercise more tend to have lower blood pressure. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would be considered a true experiment?

None of the above is correct. Signup and view all the answers

What is expectancy bias?

It is much like the confirmation bias where preconceived notions influence what the experimenter sees. Signup and view all the answers

What will reduce the likelihood of confounding variables EXCEPT?

Telling the participants to which group they belong. Signup and view all the answers

In Dr. Suttman's study, what could be a confounding variable EXCEPT?

The blood pressure at the end of the study. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

To ensure that all research being conducted adheres to ethical guidelines. Signup and view all the answers

What must research participants be informed of according to the APA guidelines?

They must be debriefed after the study if the research involves deception. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using a frequency distribution?

It organizes the raw data, making it more easily interpreted. Signup and view all the answers

Which measure of central tendency is most affected by extreme scores?

Mean. Signup and view all the answers

If data has low variability, what does this indicate?

The scores in the data set are closely clustered around the mean. Signup and view all the answers

What does the standard deviation represent in a set of data?

The average distance of a set of scores from the mean. Signup and view all the answers

In a normal distribution, what percentage of scores fall within one standard deviation from the mean?

68%. Signup and view all the answers

What does a large p value (such as p>.50) indicate about study results?

There is a relatively high probability that we received these results just by chance. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it impossible to ever have a p=.00?

Even the most thorough studies have a small likelihood of obtaining the results they did based on chance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct order for presenting information in an academic psychological article?

Abstract, introduction, methods, analysis, discussion, references. Signup and view all the answers

What should researchers use for results to be generalizable in a study of impulse buying?

A representative sample. Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of using the median when examining a set of data?

It is less resistant to extreme scores than the mean and more reflective of a set of data than the mode. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Empirical Investigation

Empirical investigation relies on careful measurements and direct observation for research validity.

Scientific Theory

A theory is defined as a testable explanation for a range of observations.

Theory vs. Hypothesis

A hypothesis is a specific prediction derived from a broader theory.

Characteristics of a Hypothesis

Must be testable and falsifiable, enabling researchers to determine its validity.

Operational Definitions

Driving ability in Jenna's study is quantified by the number of automobile accidents.

Independent Variable

The gender of participants (male or female) serves as the independent variable in Jenna's study.

Variable Relationships

The independent variable is manipulated by the researcher; the dependent variable is the outcome measured.

Randomization

Randomization is a technique that helps minimize experimenter bias in research.

Dependent Variable in Hiring Study

In Gina's discrimination study, the dependent variable is the interviewers' responses to candidates based on attractiveness.

Test Scores as Dependent Variable

In the study on study time and test results, the test scores represent the dependent variable.

Statistical Significance

The results must significantly differ from chance to support the independent variable's effect.

Manipulation Confirmation

A statistically significant result indicates that the manipulation of the independent variable likely caused the observed effects.

Quantified Measurements

Measurements that utilize numbers to reflect levels, sizes, or quantities of a variable are termed quantified.

Replication

A skeptic can replicate an original study to validate or challenge its findings.

Purpose of Experiments

Experiments aim to ascertain whether changes in the independent variable cause changes in the dependent variable.

Control Groups

Control groups must not inadvertently include participants who are more tired, as this introduces extraneous variables.

Random Assignment

Ensures all participants have an equal likelihood of being assigned to control or experimental groups.

Experimental Condition

Participants receiving special treatment are categorized within the experimental condition.

Correlational Study Limitations

Correlational studies cannot definitively assert causation, such as "attending school leads to higher grades."

Negative Correlation

A negative correlation between exercise and blood pressure suggests that increased exercise is associated with lower blood pressure.

True Experiments

True experimental designs must closely adhere to rigorous scientific methodology.

Expectancy Bias

This bias can lead researchers to interpret outcomes based on pre-existing assumptions about expected results.

Confounding Variables

Disclosing group assignments to participants can potentially influence the experiment's outcome due to confounding variables.

Identifying Confounding Variables

In Dr. Suttman's study, the end blood pressure measurement is not a confounding variable.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

The IRB's role is to ensure that research adheres to ethical standards.

APA Participant Guidelines

Participants must receive debriefing post-study if deception was involved in the research process.

Frequency Distribution Purpose

A frequency distribution organizes raw data for clarity and interpretability.

Central Tendency Affected by Extreme Scores

The mean is highly susceptible to skewing by extreme values in a dataset.

Variability in Data

Low variability indicates scores are closely packed around the mean.

Standard Deviation Representation

Standard deviation conveys the average distance of scores from the mean.

Normal Distribution Scores

Approximately 68% of scores fall within one standard deviation from the mean in a bell curve.

High P-value Implication

A large p-value (>0.50) signifies a high likelihood that results may have occurred by chance.

Impossibility of p = 0

A p-value of 0 is unattainable as all studies have a slight chance of yielding observed results by random chance.

Order of Information in Academic Articles

Academic psychological articles typically follow this structure: abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, references.

Generalizability in Research

Using a representative sample is crucial for generalizing findings from a study on consumer behavior.

Advantage of Median

The median effectively mitigates the influence of extreme scores, providing a better reflection of the data compared to the mean.

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Description

Test your understanding of key concepts in science with these flashcards focused on Chapter 2. Each card presents important terms and their definitions, helping to reinforce your knowledge of empirical investigation, theories, and hypotheses.