KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS FOR PSYC 220

Walter vom Saal

initial version for spring 2005: prepared 1/17/05

additions and changes since 1/17/05 are shown in BLUE

additions and changes 4/19/05 are shown in PINK

+ = important concept

++ = very important concept

+++ = required concept for departmental core concept examination

$ = discussion completed: you are now expected to know this term and concept

BASIC CONCEPTS

REQUIRED TERMS AND CONCEPTS

OPTIONAL TERMS AND CONCEPTS

Research Methods:

alternative research strategies.

strengths and weaknesses of each strategy

triangulation / mul-tiple assessment

+naturalistic observation

+participant observation

+interviews

+surveys and questionnaires

documents and work samples

+case studies

   - of individuals

   - of institutions

+++true experiment

++observations vs. conclusions

++alternative explanations

+operational definition

 ++peer review

qualitative vs quantitative research

ethnographic research

science=prediction and control

(possible answer to “what is science”)

other possible answers to that question

research ethics

 

(to insert after discussion)

See separate handout on website.

++informed consent

++confidentiality

+debriefing

classroom ethics / guidelines

 

questionnaires;

survey research

correlational designs

++three problems with questionnaire studies

++subject population vs sample

+++representative sample

+random sample

++biased sample

+subject selection

+attrition

+self-report and its two aspects

+biased questions/leading questions

+++correlation coefficient

+++positive correlation

+++negative correlation

+++zero correlation

+++scatter plots: how to draw them, how to interpret them, and what they mean

 

randomization strategies

 

experimental design

+++true experiment

+++independent variable

+++dependent variable

+++control group

+++confounding

+++confounding variable

+++extraneous variable

+++nuisance variable

+++blind

+++double-blind

+++placebo

+++placebo effect

+++placebo control group

counterbalancing

++longitudinal study

++cross sectional study

multiple independent variable designs

+++factorial design

+++2x2 design

+++interaction

experimental vs quasi-experimental design

within-subject design

between-subject design

++within-groups design

++between-groups design

repeated measures

+operational definition

statistical regression (=regression to the mean

 

evaluation of research

+periodical (definition & 3 types)

+journal (vs. magazine)

+refereed journal

+peer review

+[terms relating to research in academe: B.A., B.S., M.A., M.S., Ph.D., doctorate, doctoral student, dissertation, thesis, tenure: all are "+"]

+++ [formerly ++]reliability

+++ [formerly ++]validity

strength of effect

percentage of variance accounted for

(repeat:)confounding

+++ [formerly ++]internal validity

+++ [formerly ++]external validity

+++correlation vs causality

+++correlation does not prove causality

 

t-test

selected axis ranges

Type I error and Type II error

chi square test

analysis of variance

measurement scales: nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio

manipulation check

statistical analysis

 

+misleading statistics

+effect of changing the axis

numbers vs. percentages

+++statistical significance

+++p<.01; p<.05; etc.

 

three ways to increase statistical significance

Writing and speaking:

writing: content skills

general writing guidelines

APA style guidelines

 

writing: technical skills

grammatical errors

 

speaking: content skills

general speaking guidelines

 

speaking: technical skills

presentation skills

 

 

 

grammatical errors

 

Other life skills:

 

 

 

how to write a resume

 

 

 

getting letters of recommendation

 

 

 

applying to graduate school

 

 

miscellaneous concepts to help prepare for the GRE

 

how to think mathematically

 

 

mathematical hints and strategies

 

 

originally created in FrontPage; updated 1/20/05

three BLUE items added and four items changed to +++ 1/27/05