Research Question

Group of people that you are interested in studying.

Subset of the population

Presumed cause in a relationship of events. Directly manipulated by the researcher or a naturally occurring event that elicits a response or reaction.

(Also known as an outcome) is the presumed effect in a relationship of events. It is the response or reaction elicited from the cause.

Similar to the independent variable but it is not manipulated by a researcher. It is usually a pre-existing characteristic or situation. (i.e. FCAT scores)

A factor is often synonymous with an independent variable, but may or may not be manipulated. If it is manipulated, it is also called an independent variable. If it is not directly manipulated, it is also called a predictor.

Specific conditions, groups or levels of that which is being manipulated or how the factor varies.

Theory, idea or concept. It is not tangible.

Specific way of measuring a construct (i.e. questionnaire used to measure physical attraction)

Group of research participants who have been exposed to a novel experience, frequently a treatment or intervention, or simply a factor level or condition of interest.

Participants who are not exposed to any treatment at all

Participants who are exposed to some intervention or condition, but not the one of interest. Usually this is an alternative treatment or a typical treatment (known as the treatment as usual).

What would have happened to those in the treatment group if they didn't receive the treatment.

Information that describes a sample or population. For example, the mean (average) age of students in this class

Conclusions about relationships between two or more variables. An Analysis of variance, t-test and Pearson Correlation are all types of inferential statistics.