Descriptive statistics
used to analyse, organise, summarise, describe important features of the data so that they can be more easily interpreted and communicated
Inferential statistics
mathematical procedures used to judge whether the results for a sample would also occur in the population from which the sample was drawn; also used to estimate hoe likely it is that the results for a study occurred by chance
p-value
a probability value that shows the statistical level at which chance is likely to have operated on the results obtained from research.
qualitative data
information about the qualities or characteristics of what is being studied
quantitative data
information about the amount or quantities of what is being studied
psychology
the scientific study of mental processes and behaviour of human beings
Control condition
the condition in an experiment in which the independent variable is absent or the participants are treated differently to those in the experimental group/condition; it is a standard of comparison for the experimental condition.
control group.
the group of participants in an experiment that is not exposed to the independent variable; it provides a standard against which the performance of the experimental group can be compared in order to determine the effects of the independent variable on the
Experimental condition
the condition in an experiment in which the independent variable is present; may also be used to refer collectively to all the conditions of the experiment.
Experimental group
the group of participants in an experiment that is exposed to the independent variable.
Generalisation
a decision or judgement about how widely the findings of a study can be applied.
(Research) hypothesis
in research, a tentative and testable prediction of the relationship between two or more events or characteristics
Random allocation
a procedure for assigning participants to the various groups in an experiment that ensures that each person has an equal chance of being selected for any of the experimental groups and that these groups are similar/equal in important characteristics of pa
Repeated measures design
an experimental research design that uses the same participants in both the experimental and control groups (or conditions); also called within participants or within subjects design
Convenience sampling
selecting participants who are readily available without any attempt to make the sample representative of a population; also called opportunity sampling.
Random-stratified sampling
a sampling procedure that involves identifying all of the people within each sub-group (stratum) of research interest, then randomly selecting samples of proportionate size from within each sub-group.
Random sampling
a procedure for selecting a group of participants from the population of research interest that ensures each member of the target population has an equal chance of being chosen to be part of the sample.
Sample
a group that is a subset or a portion of a larger group chosen to be studied for research purposes
Sampling
the process of selecting participants for a research study; see also random sampling, stratified sampling, stratified-random sampling
Standardised instructions
identical instructions (directions) given to participants, as relevant to the specific group (condition) to which they have been assigned
Stratified sampling
a sampling procedure that involves dividing the population to be sampled into distinct subgroups (strata) then selecting a separate sample from each stratum in the same proportions as they occur in the population of research interest.
Placebo
Placebo a false treatment
Placebo effect
when a participant's response is changed by their belief that they are receiving some kind of treatment.
Single-blind procedure
a procedure in an experiment to ensure participants are not aware of the group (or condition) to which they have been allocated and therefore the experimental treatment (the independent variable).
Double-blind procedure
a procedure in an experiment to ensure that the participants and the researcher directly involved with the participants are unaware of the conditions to which the participants have been allocated
Standardised procedures
use and administration of the same procedures for participants, as relevant to the specific group (condition) to which they have been assigned
Observational study
a research method involving collection of data by carefully watching and recording data as it occurs.
Questionnaire
a set of written questions designed to draw out self-report information from participants on a research topic
Self-report
a participant's written or spoken responses to questions, statements or instructions presented by the researcher ; see questionnaire and interview.
Survey
a highly structured questionnaire used to collect self-report data from a large number of people in a relatively short time.
Experiment
a research method used to test a hypothesis under controlled conditions in order to or rate measure the effects of an independent variable(s) on a dependent variable(s)
Research method
A technique used to systematically collect information on a topic of research interest
Variable
any factor that can change (vary) in amount or type over time
Operationalised
when an experimental variable is stated in terms of how it will be observed, manipulated and measured.
Extraneous variable
any variable other than the independent variable that can cause a change in the independent variable and therefore affect the results of the experiment in an unwanted way.
Confounding variable
a variable other than the independent variable that has an unwanted effect on the dependent variable, making it impossible to determine which of the variables produces the change in the independent variable.
Dependent variable (DV)
a variable in an experiment that is observed or measured and is expected to change as a result of the manipulation of the independent variable (essentially, the participant's response)
Independent variable (IV
the variable in an experiment that is systematically changed or varied by the experimenter in order to measure its effect on the dependent variable.
Experimental effect
a possible extraneous variable; the change in a participant's response because of the researcher's expectations, biases or actions, rather than the effect of the independent variable.
Individual participant differences
potential extraneous variable if not controlled for; the differences in personal characteristics and experiences of the individual participants in an experiment; also called participant variables.
Non-standardised
potential extraneous variable if not controlled for; when research procedures or instructions are not the same for all participants (except for exposure to the independent variable by participants in the experimental design)
Order effect
when a participant's response in a research study is influenced by the specific order in which the conditions, treatment or tasks are presented or experienced.