Research Case Solutions - Sawyers & Gill, Federal Tax
Research 13th Edition
Define the following terms:
Theory - ANSWER: a statement that attempts to explain why things are the way they
are and happen the way they do
Principle - ANSWER: a rule or law
Operational definition - ANSWER: a carefully worded statement of the exact
procedures used in a research study
Empirical evidence - ANSWER: data drawn from experimentation as opposed to
theory/opinion
Correlation - ANSWER: a measure to the extent to which two factors vary together,
and thus of how well either factor predicts the others
Positive correlation - ANSWER: a relationship between variables in which both
variables move in tandem
Negative correlation - ANSWER: a relationship between variables in which they move
in opposite directions
Independent variable - ANSWER: the factor that researchers manipulate (change)
Dependent variable - ANSWER: the factor that depends on the independent variable
Confounding variable - ANSWER: things other than the IV that may account for
results
Aim - ANSWER: the purpose of a study
Target population - ANSWER: group whose behavior the researchers wish to
investigate
Procedure - ANSWER: step-by-step process used by the researcher to carry out the
study
, Findings - ANSWER: state how the researcher interpreted the data
Participants - ANSWER: people who take part in a psychological study
Representative sample - ANSWER: group of participants representing the target
population
Opportunity sampling - ANSWER: a sample of people who happen to be in the
research environment and agree to participate
Self-selected sample - ANSWER: a sample of people made up of volunteers
Random sampling - ANSWER: every member of the target population has an equal
chance of being selected
Stratified sampling - ANSWER: draws random samples from each subpopulation
within the target population
Generalizing - ANSWER: results of a sample are assumed to be representative of the
greater population
Sampling bias - ANSWER: when a study may or may not generalize to the greater
population based on the traits of the sample
Informed consent - ANSWER: participants must be informed about the study and
agree to participate
Informed assent - ANSWER: a process that allows minors to agree to participate in
research studies
Deception - ANSWER: slight deception, that which brings no harm, is acceptable
Debriefing - ANSWER: true aims and purpose revealed after study
Withdrawal - ANSWER: participants made aware of their right to withdraw at any
time
Confidentiality - ANSWER: all information confidential
Protection from harm - ANSWER: no physical/psychological harm done to
participants
Experimenter bias - ANSWER: when the experimenter sees what he or she is looking
for
Single-blind control - ANSWER: participants do not know what the study is about
Research 13th Edition
Define the following terms:
Theory - ANSWER: a statement that attempts to explain why things are the way they
are and happen the way they do
Principle - ANSWER: a rule or law
Operational definition - ANSWER: a carefully worded statement of the exact
procedures used in a research study
Empirical evidence - ANSWER: data drawn from experimentation as opposed to
theory/opinion
Correlation - ANSWER: a measure to the extent to which two factors vary together,
and thus of how well either factor predicts the others
Positive correlation - ANSWER: a relationship between variables in which both
variables move in tandem
Negative correlation - ANSWER: a relationship between variables in which they move
in opposite directions
Independent variable - ANSWER: the factor that researchers manipulate (change)
Dependent variable - ANSWER: the factor that depends on the independent variable
Confounding variable - ANSWER: things other than the IV that may account for
results
Aim - ANSWER: the purpose of a study
Target population - ANSWER: group whose behavior the researchers wish to
investigate
Procedure - ANSWER: step-by-step process used by the researcher to carry out the
study
, Findings - ANSWER: state how the researcher interpreted the data
Participants - ANSWER: people who take part in a psychological study
Representative sample - ANSWER: group of participants representing the target
population
Opportunity sampling - ANSWER: a sample of people who happen to be in the
research environment and agree to participate
Self-selected sample - ANSWER: a sample of people made up of volunteers
Random sampling - ANSWER: every member of the target population has an equal
chance of being selected
Stratified sampling - ANSWER: draws random samples from each subpopulation
within the target population
Generalizing - ANSWER: results of a sample are assumed to be representative of the
greater population
Sampling bias - ANSWER: when a study may or may not generalize to the greater
population based on the traits of the sample
Informed consent - ANSWER: participants must be informed about the study and
agree to participate
Informed assent - ANSWER: a process that allows minors to agree to participate in
research studies
Deception - ANSWER: slight deception, that which brings no harm, is acceptable
Debriefing - ANSWER: true aims and purpose revealed after study
Withdrawal - ANSWER: participants made aware of their right to withdraw at any
time
Confidentiality - ANSWER: all information confidential
Protection from harm - ANSWER: no physical/psychological harm done to
participants
Experimenter bias - ANSWER: when the experimenter sees what he or she is looking
for
Single-blind control - ANSWER: participants do not know what the study is about
