Research Methods & Critical Thinking (AP Psych Unit 0)

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Critical thinking

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The process of actively analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information to form reasoned judgments.

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Hindsight bias

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The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that we could have predicted it (the 'I-knew-it-all-along' phenomenon).

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Peer reviewers

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Other experts in the field who evaluate research before it's published to ensure quality and validity.

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Theory

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A broad explanation that integrates principles and organizes observations to predict behaviors or events.

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Hypothesis

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A testable prediction, often derived from a theory, about what will happen under specific conditions.

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Operational definition

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A precise description of how a variable will be measured or manipulated in a study.

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Replication

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Repeating a study to see if the same results occur, which helps verify findings.

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Case study

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An in-depth examination of one individual, group, or situation.

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Naturalistic observation

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Observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to control variables.

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Survey

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A research method using questionnaires or interviews to gather information from many people.