| scientific method | The approach through which psychologists systematically acquire knowledge and understanding about behavior and other phenomena of interest.
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| theories | Broad explanations and predictions concerning phenomena of interest.
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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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| operational definition | The translation of a hypothesis into specific, testable procedures that can be measured and observed.
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| archival research | Research in which existing data, such as census documents, college records, and newspaper clippings, are examined to test a hypothesis.
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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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| survey research | Research in which people chosen to represent a larger population are asked a series of questions about their behavior, thoughts, or attitudes.
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| case study | An in-depth, intensive investigation of an individual or small group of people.
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| variables | Behaviors, events, or other characteristics that can change, or vary, in some way.
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| correlational research | Research in which the relationship between two sets of variables is examined to determine whether they are associated, or "correlated".
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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 manipulation | The change that an experimenter deliberately produces in a situation.
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| treatment | The manipulation implemented by the experimenter.
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| experimental group | Any group participating in an experiment that receives a treatment.
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| control group | A group participating in an experiment that receives no treatment.
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| independent variable | The variable that is manipulated by an experimenter.
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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 of the independent variable.
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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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| significant outcome | An outcome in which the observed outcome would be expected to have occurred by chance with a probability of .05 or less.
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| replicated research | Research that is repeated, sometimes using other procedures, settings, and groups of participants, to increase confidence in prior findings.
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| informed consent | A document signed by participants affirming that they have been told the basic outlines of the study and are aware of what their participation will involve.
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| experimental bias | Factors that distort how the independent variable affects the dependent variable in an experiment.
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| placebo | A false treatment, such as a pill, "drug," or other substance, without any significant chemical properties or active ingredient.
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