20 flashcards · Shared on 19 August 2026 by AtomAI Library
Flip each card to check yourself.
Which feature most clearly distinguishes a true experiment from a correlational study?
Manipulating an independent variable and randomly assigning participants to conditions
Which feature most clearly distinguishes a true experiment from a correlational study?
Manipulating an independent variable and randomly assigning participants to conditions
In an experiment, what is the independent variable?
The factor manipulated by the researcher
What is the dependent variable in an experiment?
The measured outcome expected to respond to the manipulation
A researcher defines stress as a participant's score on a particular questionnaire. What has the researcher provided?
An operational definition
What is the main purpose of random assignment to experimental conditions?
To balance participant differences across conditions on average
How does random sampling differ from random assignment?
Random sampling selects people from a population, whereas random assignment places participants into conditions
What is a confounding variable?
A variable that varies systematically with the independent variable and offers an alternative explanation
Internal validity refers to the extent to which:
The observed effect can be attributed to the independent variable rather than another factor
Which change would most directly improve the external validity of a study?
Using a more diverse sample and testing across relevant settings
Ecological validity is concerned primarily with whether:
The study's tasks and setting reflect behavior in everyday contexts
What does construct validity assess?
Whether the measures and manipulations adequately represent the intended theoretical concepts
Statistical conclusion validity concerns the accuracy of conclusions about:
Whether variables are related and the estimated relationship is supported by suitable analysis
What is the main role of a control group in an experiment?
To provide a comparison showing what happens without the active manipulation
Why is a placebo control useful when testing a treatment?
It separates effects of the active treatment from effects of expectations and treatment procedures
In a double-blind study, who is typically unaware of participants' condition assignments?
Both the participants and the researchers who interact with or assess them
Demand characteristics are features of a study that may:
Reveal the study's purpose and influence participants' behavior
A within-subjects experiment tests every participant in all conditions. What problem is especially likely?
Order effects such as practice or fatigue
Which procedure is commonly used to reduce order effects in a within-subjects design?
Counterbalancing the order of conditions
What distinguishes a quasi-experiment from a true experiment?
A quasi-experiment lacks random assignment to conditions
What is the purpose of a manipulation check?
To determine whether the manipulation changed the intended construct or was perceived as intended