How Psychologists Use the Scientific Method
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External Validity
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The degree to which the results of a study apply to the individuals and realistic behaviors outside the study
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Internal Validity
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The degree to which a study provides casual information about behavior
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Reliability
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The degree to which the results of a study can be replicated under similar conditions
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Operational Definition
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The definition of an abstract concept used by a researcher to measure or manipulate the concept in a research study
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Naturalistic Observation
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A data collection technique involving noninvasive observation of individuals in their natural environments
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Interrater Reliability
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A measure of the degree to which different observers rate behaviors in similar ways
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Survey Research
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A research study that uses the survey observational technique to measure behavior
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Closed-Ended Response Scale
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Participants respond to survey questions according to the response options provided by the researcher
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Open-Ended Response Scale
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Participants respond to survey questions in any manner they feel is appropriate for the question
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Qualitative Data
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Nonnumerical participant responses
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Quantitative Data
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Numerical data
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Interviews
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A data collection technique that involves direct questioning of individuals about their behaviors and attitudes
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Systematic Observation
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Data collection technique where control is exerted over the conditions under which the behavior is observed
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Archival Data
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A data collection technique that involves the analysis of preexisting data
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Content Analysis
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An archival data collection technique that involves analysis of the content of an individual's spoken or written record
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Variable
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An attribute that can vary across individuals
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Dependent/Response Variable
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A variable that is measured or observed from an individual
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Case Study
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A research design that involves intensive study of particular individuals and their behaviors
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Small n Design
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An experiment conducted with one or a few participants to better understand the behavior of those individuals
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Correlational Study
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A type of research design that examines the relationships between multiple dependent variables, without manipulating any of the variables
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Predictor Variable
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The dependent variable in a correlational study that is used to predict the score on another variable
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Outcome Variable
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The dependent variable in a correlational study that is being predicted by the predictor variable
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Positive Relationship
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A relationship between variables characterized by an increase in one variable that occurs with a decrease in the other variable
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Negative Relationship
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A relationship between variables characterized by an increase in one variable that occurs with a decrease in the other variable
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Scatterplot
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A graph showing the relationship between two dependent variables for a group of individuals
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Third-Variable Problem
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The presence of extraneous factors in a study that affect the dependent variable and can decrease the internal validity of the study
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Experiment
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A type of research design that involves manipulation of an independent variable, allowing control of extraneous variables that could affect the results
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Independent Variable
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A variable in an experiment that is manipulated by the researcher such that the levels of the variable change across of within subjects in the experiment
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Levels of the Independent Variable
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Different situations or conditions that participants experience in an experiment because of the manipulation of the independent variable
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Experimental Group
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The group of participants in an experiment that experience the treatment level of the independent variable
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Control Group
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The group of participants in an experiment that do not experience the treatment level of the independent variable
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Confounding Variable
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An extraneous factor present in a study that may affect the results
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Random Assignment
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Participants are randomly assigned to levels of the independent variable in an experiment to control for individual differences as an extraneous variable
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Quasi-Experiment
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A type of research design where a comparison is made, as in an experiment, but no random assignment of participants to groups occurs
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Pretest-Posttest Design
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A type of research design (often a quasi-experiment) where behavior is measured both before and after a treatment or condition is implemented
