| control | A controlled research situation in which scientists manipulate one or more factors and observe the effects of this manipulation on behavior.
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| experiment | Factor for which the researcher either selects or manipulates at least two levels in order to determine its effect on behavior.
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| independent variable | Factor for which the researcher either selects or manipulates at least two levels in order to determine its effect on behavior.
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| dependent variable | Measure of behavior used by the researcher to assess the effect (if any) of the independent variables.
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| operational definition | Procedure whereby a concept is defined solely in terms of the operations used to produce and measure it.
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| construct | A concept or idea used in psychological theories to explain behavior or mental processes; examples include aggression, intelligence, memory, and personality.
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| validity | The "truthfulness" of a measure; a valid measure is one that measures what it claims to measure.
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| reliability | A measurement is reliable when it is consistent.
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| correlation | Exists when two measures of the same people, events, or things vary together; the presence of a correlation makes it possible to predict values on one variable by knowing the values on the second variable.
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| causal inference | Identification of the cause or causes of a phenomenon, by establishing covariation of cause and effect, a time-order relationship with cause preceding effect, and the elimination of plausible alternative causes.
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| confounding | Occurs when the independent variable of interest systematically covaries with a second, unintended independent variable.
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| applied research | Research that seeks knowledge that will improve a situation.
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| basic research | Research that seeks knowledge to increase understanding of behavior and mental processes and to test theories.
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| theory | Logically organized set of propositions that serves to define events, describe relationships among events, and explain the occurrence of these events; scientific theories guide research and organize empirical knowledge.
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