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Experimental Psychology
Exam 3 Vocabulary
77
Psychology
Undergraduate 3
04/29/2010

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Term
DK alternative
Definition
In survey research, when assessing levels of participant knowledge, this is an alternative that means "don't know"
Term
Pearson's r
Definition
measure of the size of a correlation between two variables; ranges from a perfect positive correlation of +1.00 to a perfect negative correlation of -1.00; if r=0, then no relationship exists between the variables
Term
archival data
Definition
data initially collected for some purpose not related to a current research study, and then used later for a specific purpose in that current research
Term
archival research
Definition
research with the goal of trying to solve some immediate real-life problem
Term
behavior checklist
Definition
lists of behaviors with predefined operational definitions that researchers are trained to use in an observational study
Term
biased sample
Definition
a sample that is not representative of the population
Term
bivariate analysis
Definition
any statistical analysis investigating the relationship between two variables
Term
closed question
Definition
a type of question found on surveys that can be answered with a "yes" or a "no" or by marking a point on some scale
Term
cluster sampling
Definition
a probability sample that randomly selects clusters of people having some feature in common (e.g. students taking a history course) and tests all people within the selected cluster (e.g., all students in three of the nine history courses available)
Term
coefficient of determination (r^2)
Definition
for two correlated factors, the proportion of variance in one factor that can be attributed to the second factor; found by squaring Pearson's r
Term
community forum
Definition
in program evaluation research, a meeting open to community members to discuss the need for, or the operation of, some program
Term
content analysis
Definition
a procedure used to systematically categorize the content of the behavior (often verbal behavior) being recorded
Term
convenience sample
Definition
a non-probability sample in which the researchers requests volunteers from a group of people who meet the general requirements of the study (e.g., teenagers); used in most psychological research, except when specific estimates of population values need to be made
Term
correlation matrix
Definition
a table that summarizes a series of correlations among several variables
Term
cost-effective analysis
Definition
form of program evaluation that assesses outcomes in terms of the costs involved in developing, running, and completing the program
Term
criterion validity
Definition
form of validity in which a psychological measure is able to predict some future behavior or is meaningfully related to some other measure
Term
criterion variable
Definition
in a regression analysis, this is the variable that is being predicted from the predictor variable (e.g., college grades are predicted from SAT scores)
Term
cross-lagged panel correlation
Definition
refers to a type of correlational research designed to deal with the directionality problem; if variables X and Y are measured at two different times and if X precedes Y, then X might cause Y but Y cannot cause X
Term
demographic information
Definition
any data that can serve to classify or identify individuals (e.g., gender, age, income)
Term
directionality problem
Definition
in correlational research, this refers to the fact that for a correlation between variables X and Y, it is possible that X is causing Y, but it is also possible that Y is causing X; the correlation alone provides no basis for deciding between the two alternatives
Term
double-barreled question
Definition
in a survey, a question or statement that asks or states two different things in a single item
Term
electronic surveying
Definition
any survey research that is conducted over the Internet; can be a survey sent via email or a survey posted on a website
Term
event sampling
Definition
a procedure in observational research in which only certain types of behaviors occurring under precisely defined conditions are sampled
Term
factor analysis
Definition
a multivariate analysis in which a large number of variables are inter-correlated; variables that correlate highly with each other form "factors"
Term
focus group
Definition
a small and relatively homogeneous group brought together for the purpose of participating in a group interview on some topic or, in program evaluation research, to discuss the need for or the operation of a program
Term
formative evaluation
Definition
form of program evaluation that monitors the functioning of a program while it is operating to determine if it is functioning as planned
Term
inter-observer reliability
Definition
the degree of agreement between two or more observers of the same event
Term
interrupted time series design
Definition
quasi-experimental design in which a program or treatment is evaluated by measuring performance several times prior to the institution of the program and several times after the program has been put into effect
Term
interrupted time series with switching replications
Definition
a time series design in which the program is replicated at a different location and at a different time
Term
interview survey
Definition
a survey method in which the researcher interviews the participant face to face; allows for more in-depth surveying (e.g., follow-up questions and clarification)
Term
intraclass correlation
Definition
a form of correlation used when pairs of scores do not come from the same individual, as when correlations are calculated for pairs of twins
Term
key informant
Definition
in program evaluation research, a community member with special knowledge about the needs of a community
Term
leading question
Definition
in a survey, a question that is asked in such a way that the answer desired by the questioner is clear
Term
multiple regression
Definition
a multivariate analysis that includes a criterion variable and two or more predictor variables; the predictors will have different weights
Term
multivariate analysis
Definition
any statistical analysis investigating the relationship between more than two variables
Term
naturalistic observation
Definition
descriptive research method in which the behavior of people or animals is studied as it occurs in its everyday natural environment
Term
needs analysis
Definition
form of program evaluation that occurs before a program begins and determines whether the program is needed
Term
negative correlation
Definition
a relationship between variables X and Y such that a high score for X is associated with a low score for Y and a low score for X is associated with a high score for Y
Term
non-response bias
Definition
occurs in survey research when those who return surveys differ in some systematic fashion (e.g., political attitudes) from those who don't respond
Term
nonequivalent control group design
Definition
a between-subjects design with at least two groups of participants that uses a subject variable or that creates groups that are nonequivalent
Term
observer bias
Definition
can occur when preconceived ideas held by the researcher affect the nature of the observations made
Term
open-ended question
Definition
a type of question found on surveys that requires a narrative response, rather than a "yes" or "no" answer
Term
partial correlation
Definition
a multivariate statistical procedure for evaluating the effects of third variables; if the correlation between X and Y remains high, even after some third factor Z has been "partialed out," then Z can be eliminated as a third variable
Term
participant observation
Definition
descriptive research method in which the behavior of people is studied as it occurs in its everyday natural environment and the researcher becomes a part of the group being observed
Term
phone surveying
Definition
a survey method in which the researcher asks questions over the phone
Term
positive Correlation
Definition
a relationship between variables X and Y such that a high score for X is associated with a high score for Y and a low score for X is associated with a low score for Y
Term
predictor variable
Definition
in a regression analysis, the variable used to predict the criterion variable (e.g., SAT scores are used to predict college grades)
Term
probability sampling
Definition
method of selecting research participants according to some systematic sampling procedure
Term
program audit
Definition
an examination of whether a program is being implemented as planned; a type of formative evaluation
Term
program evaluation
Definition
a form of applied research that includes a number of research activities designed to evaluate programs from planning to completion
Term
quasi-experiment
Definition
occurs whenever causal conclusions about the effect of an independent variable cannot be drawn because there is incomplete control over the variables in the study; random assignment not possible in these studies
Term
quota sample
Definition
a non-probability sample in which the proportions of some subgroups in the sample are the same as those subgroup proportions in the population
Term
reactivity
Definition
occurs when participants' behavior is influenced by the knowledge that they are being observed and their behavior is being recorded in some fashion
Term
regression analysis
Definition
in correlational research, knowing the size of a correlation and a value for variable X, it is possible to predict a value for variable Y; this process occurs through a regression analysis
Term
regression effect
Definition
the tendency for regression to the mean to occur
Term
regression line
Definition
summarizes the points of a scatterplot and provides the means for making predictions
Term
representative sample
Definition
a sample with characteristics that match those same attributes as they exist in the population
Term
response acquiescence
Definition
a response set in which a participant has a tendency to respond positively to survey questions, all else being equal
Term
restricting the range
Definition
occurs in a correlational study when only a limited range of scores for one or both of the variables is used; range restrictions tend to lower correlations
Term
sample
Definition
some portion or subset of the population
Term
sample frame
Definition
list of individuals from whom the sample will be drawn; with cluster sampling, a list of groups from which a sample of groups will be selected
Term
scatterplot
Definition
a graph depicting the relationship shown by a correlation
Term
self-selection problem
Definition
in surveys, when the sample is composed of only those who voluntarily choose to respond, the result can be a biased sample
Term
simple random sample
Definition
a probability sample in which each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected as a member of the sample
Term
social desirability bias
Definition
a type of response bias in survey research; occurs when people respond to a question by trying to put themselves in a favorable light
Term
split-half reliability
Definition
a form of reliability in which one-half of the items (e.g., the even-numbered items) on a test are correlated with the remaining items
Term
stakeholders
Definition
in program evaluation research, persons connected with a program who have a vested interest in it; includes clients, staff, and program directors
Term
stratified sample
Definition
a probability sample that is random, with the restriction that important subgroups are proportionately represented in the sample
Term
sugging
Definition
a marketing strategy in which an attempt to sell a prduct is made by disguising the sales pitch with what appears to be a legitimate survey; the term is short for Selling Under the Guise of a survey
Term
summative evaluation
Definition
form of program evaluation completed at the close of a program that attempts to determine its effectiveness in solving the problem for which it was planned
Term
survey
Definition
a descriptive method in which participants are asked a series of questions or respond to a series of statements about some topic
Term
test-retest reliability
Definition
a form of reliability in which a test is administered on two separate occasions and the correlation between them is calculated
Term
third variable problem
Definition
refers to the problem of drawing causal conclusions in correlational research; third variables are any uncontrolled factors that could underline a correlation between variables X and Y
Term
time sampling
Definition
a procedure in observational research in which behavior is sampled only during predefined times (e.g., every 10 minutes)
Term
trends
Definition
predictable patterns of events that occur over a period of time; evaluated in time series studies
Term
unobtrusive measures
Definition
any measure of behavior that can be recorded without participants knowing that their behavior has been observed
Term
written survey
Definition
a survey method in which the researcher creates a written questionnaire that is filled out by participants
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