PSY 250 EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE 2026
quantitative research - Answers -variables measured from individuals to obtain scores,
usually numerical, for statistical analysis and interpretation.
qualitative research - Answers -observations summarized and interpreted in a narrative
report; extensive note taking and observation summaries
descriptive research strategy - Answers -answers questions about the current state of
individual variables for a specific group; concerned with the mean and obtaining a
snapshot of specific characteristics of a specific group.
correlational research strategy - Answers -describes natural relationships between 2
variables; does not explain
experimental research strategy - Answers -determines cause and effect relationships
between 2 variables; uses rigorous control and manipulation of 1+ variables
quasi experimental research strategy - Answers -addresses cause and effect
relationships between 2 variables; has some rigor and control but has a design flaw
which prevents absolute determination of the cause
nonexperimental research strategy - Answers -answers questions about relationships
between 2 variables by demonstrating differences between 2 groups or treatment
conditions; no rigor and control and no cause and effect explanations
validity - Answers -degree to which study accurately answers question it was intended
to answer
external validity - Answers -extent you can generalize study results
threats to external validity - Answers -generalizing across:
1. participants or subjects.
2. features of a study design.
3. features of the measures.
selection bias - Answers -sampling procedure which favors selection of some
participants over others
novelty effect - Answers -behaviors may differ from real world because of the novelty of
a test situation
assessment sensitization - Answers -participant reacts differently to the treatment
because of the process of measurement
, generality across response measures - Answers -effects of the operational definition
internal validity - Answers -extent study produces 1 unambiguous explanation for
relationship between variables
threats to internal validity - Answers -any factor that allows for an alternative
explanation of the data; extraneous and confounding variables
extraneous variables - Answers -any variable other than those being studied
confounding variable - Answers -an extraneous variable that changes systematically
along with those being studied
3 categories of confounding variables - Answers -1. environmental variables.
2. individual differences.
3. time-related variables.
environmental variables (confounding variables) - Answers -threats to internal validity
that involve the environment (room size, time of day, temperature, etc).
individual differences (confounding variables) - Answers -threats to internal validity of
studies comparing different groups that involve personal characteristics of the
participant
assignment bias - Answers -when process used to assign participants to groups
produces groups that differ noticeably
5 time related threats to internal validity - Answers -1. history.
2. maturation.
3. instrumentation.
4. testing effects.
5. regression towards the mean.
history effect - Answers -any outside events that occur between dependent variable
measurements in repeated-measures design that influence scores
maturation - Answers -any systematic changes in participants physiology/psychology
that occur over time during experiment
instrumentation - Answers -changes in measuring instrument over time (scale wears
out, observations are not accurate)
testing effects - Answers -multiple treatment interference; change caused by earlier
treatment/participation
quantitative research - Answers -variables measured from individuals to obtain scores,
usually numerical, for statistical analysis and interpretation.
qualitative research - Answers -observations summarized and interpreted in a narrative
report; extensive note taking and observation summaries
descriptive research strategy - Answers -answers questions about the current state of
individual variables for a specific group; concerned with the mean and obtaining a
snapshot of specific characteristics of a specific group.
correlational research strategy - Answers -describes natural relationships between 2
variables; does not explain
experimental research strategy - Answers -determines cause and effect relationships
between 2 variables; uses rigorous control and manipulation of 1+ variables
quasi experimental research strategy - Answers -addresses cause and effect
relationships between 2 variables; has some rigor and control but has a design flaw
which prevents absolute determination of the cause
nonexperimental research strategy - Answers -answers questions about relationships
between 2 variables by demonstrating differences between 2 groups or treatment
conditions; no rigor and control and no cause and effect explanations
validity - Answers -degree to which study accurately answers question it was intended
to answer
external validity - Answers -extent you can generalize study results
threats to external validity - Answers -generalizing across:
1. participants or subjects.
2. features of a study design.
3. features of the measures.
selection bias - Answers -sampling procedure which favors selection of some
participants over others
novelty effect - Answers -behaviors may differ from real world because of the novelty of
a test situation
assessment sensitization - Answers -participant reacts differently to the treatment
because of the process of measurement
, generality across response measures - Answers -effects of the operational definition
internal validity - Answers -extent study produces 1 unambiguous explanation for
relationship between variables
threats to internal validity - Answers -any factor that allows for an alternative
explanation of the data; extraneous and confounding variables
extraneous variables - Answers -any variable other than those being studied
confounding variable - Answers -an extraneous variable that changes systematically
along with those being studied
3 categories of confounding variables - Answers -1. environmental variables.
2. individual differences.
3. time-related variables.
environmental variables (confounding variables) - Answers -threats to internal validity
that involve the environment (room size, time of day, temperature, etc).
individual differences (confounding variables) - Answers -threats to internal validity of
studies comparing different groups that involve personal characteristics of the
participant
assignment bias - Answers -when process used to assign participants to groups
produces groups that differ noticeably
5 time related threats to internal validity - Answers -1. history.
2. maturation.
3. instrumentation.
4. testing effects.
5. regression towards the mean.
history effect - Answers -any outside events that occur between dependent variable
measurements in repeated-measures design that influence scores
maturation - Answers -any systematic changes in participants physiology/psychology
that occur over time during experiment
instrumentation - Answers -changes in measuring instrument over time (scale wears
out, observations are not accurate)
testing effects - Answers -multiple treatment interference; change caused by earlier
treatment/participation
