Robert S. Feldman,
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
| archival research | Research in which existing data, such as census documents, college records, or newspaper clippings, are examined to test a hypothesis.
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| case study | An in-depth, intensive investigation of an individual or small group of people.
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| control group | A group that receives no treatment in an experiment.
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| correlational research | Research that examines the relationship between two sets of variables to determine whether they are associated, or "correlated."
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| dependent variable | The variable that is measured and is expected to change as a result of changes caused by the experimenter's manipulation
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| experiment | The investigation of the relationship between two (or more) variables by deliberately producing a change in one variable in a situation and observing the effects of that change on other aspects of the situation.
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| experimental bias | Factors that distort how the independent variable affects the dependent variable in an experiment.
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| experimental group | Any group receiving a treatment in an experiment.
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| experimental manipulation | The change that an experimenter deliberately produces in a situation.
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| hypothesis | A prediction, stemming from a theory, stated in a way that allows it to be tested.
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| independent variable | The variable that is manipulated by an experimenter.
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| informed consent | A document signed by participants affirming that they have been told the basic outlines of a research study and are aware of what their participation will involve.
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| naturalistic observation | Research in which an investigator simply observes some naturally occurring behavior and does not make a change in the situation.
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| operationalization | The process of translating a hypothesis into specific, testable procedures that can be measured and observed. operationalization (180.0K)
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| placebo | A false treatment, such as a pill, "drug," or other substance, that has no significant chemical properties or active ingredient.
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| random assignment to condition | A procedure in which participants are assigned to different experimental groups or "conditions" on the basis of chance and chance alone.
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| replication | The repetition of research, sometimes using other procedures, settings, and other groups of participants, in order to increase confidence in prior findings.
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| scientific method | The approach used by psychologists to systematically acquire knowledge and understanding about behavior and other phenomena of interest.
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| significant outcome | Meaningful results that make it possible for researchers to feel confident that they have confirmed their hypotheses.
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| survey research | Research in which people chosen to represent some larger population are asked a series of questions about their behavior, thoughts, or attitudes.
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| theories | Broad explanations and predictions concerning phenomena of interest.
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| treatment | In an experiment, the manipulation implemented by the experimenter.
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| variables | Behaviors, events, or other characteristics that can change, or vary, in some way.
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2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education