Fundamentals of Psychological Research and Inquiry Quiz

Dependent variables change in response to independent variables.

Variance is a measure of data spread, not central tendency.

Experimental research involves manipulating variables, unlike non-experimental designs.

Hypotheses guide research by proposing expected outcomes based on existing knowledge.

Standard deviation quantifies the spread or dispersion of data points around the mean.

Convenience sampling selects participants based on their ease of access, often leading to biased samples.

Control group establishes a reference point to measure the effects of the experimental condition.

Median is robust against extreme values, making it suitable for skewed distributions.

Random sampling ensures each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Placebos help distinguish the effects of the treatment from psychological responses.

Naturalistic observation involves passive observation without manipulation.

Informed consent respects participants' autonomy and provides them with essential information.

Reliability ensures that measurements are consistent and free from errors.

Peer review ensures the validity and reliability of research findings by subjecting them to scrutiny by experts.

Longitudinal design tracks changes within the same group over an extended period, providing insights into developmental processes.

Blind conditions prevent bias by keeping participants or researchers unaware of certain aspects of the study.

Correlation coefficient measures the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two continuous variables.

External validity assesses the extent to which study findings can be generalized to broader populations, settings, or times.

Debriefing informs participants about the study's objectives, procedures, and resolves any queries or concerns they may have.

Naturalistic observation allows for studying behavior as it occurs naturally, without manipulation.

Random assignment reduces bias by equally distributing participant characteristics across conditions.

The independent t-test compares means of two groups while accounting for their variability.

Double-blind procedures prevent both participant and researcher biases by keeping them unaware of experimental conditions.

Deception violates the principle of informed consent and undermines participant autonomy.