Scientific Method and Evidence
Retain the logic behind evidence-based thinking.
statistical significance
the likelihood that a result or relationship is not caused by chance
p-value
the probability that observed results occurred by chance alone
bias
a prejudice or inclination that prevents objective consideration of data
causation
a relationship where one event is the direct result of another
operational definition
a precise description of how a variable will be measured in a study
standardization
keeping procedures exactly the same for all participants in an experiment
confounding variable
an outside factor that can influence both the independent and dependent variables
null hypothesis
a statement that there is no relationship between the variables being studied
quantitative data
information that can be measured and written down with numbers
qualitative data
descriptive information about characteristics that cannot be measured numerically
sample size
the number of observations or participants included in a study
independent variable
the factor that is intentionally manipulated in an experiment
dependent variable
the factor measured or observed to see how it responds to changes
correlation
a statistical relationship between two variables, not implying causation
double-blind study
an experiment where neither participants nor researchers know who receives treatment
placebo effect
a change in a subject's condition due to the expectation of treatment
falsifiability
the capacity for a theory to be proven wrong by evidence
control group
the group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment
empirical evidence
information acquired by observation or experimentation
theory
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world
replication
the repeating of a study to see if earlier results are consistent
peer review
evaluation of research by other experts before publication
variable
a factor that can change in an experiment
hypothesis
a testable explanation or prediction