AP Statistics Flashcards: Introduction To Experimental Design

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Introduction To Experimental Design, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Statistics.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Identify one benefit of using a matched pairs design.

Answer: Reduces variability by pairing similar units. Increases precision by controlling individual variation.

Flashcard 2: Identify a key feature of a factorial design.

Answer: All combinations of factors are tested. Tests all possible factor combinations systematically.

Flashcard 3: What is cluster sampling?

Answer: Dividing the population into groups and sampling entire groups. Samples natural groups rather than individuals.

Flashcard 4: What is a lurking variable?

Answer: A variable that is not considered but affects the outcome. Hidden variable that may influence results.

Flashcard 5: Identify one benefit of using a matched pairs design.

Answer: Reduces variability by pairing similar units. Increases precision by controlling individual variation.

Flashcard 6: What is double blinding?

Answer: Both subjects and experimenters do not know the treatment assignments. Eliminates bias from both participants and researchers.

Flashcard 7: What is the primary goal of an experiment?

Answer: To determine causation between variables. Establishes cause-and-effect relationships through manipulation.

Flashcard 8: What is a matched pairs design?

Answer: A design where units are paired, and each pair receives different treatments. Controls for individual differences effectively.

Flashcard 9: What is a randomized block design?

Answer: Units are blocked and then randomly assigned within each block. Combines blocking with randomization for control.

Flashcard 10: What is meant by the term 'experimental bias'?

Answer: Systematic errors in the design or conduct of an experiment. Systematic flaws that distort results.

Flashcard 11: Define interaction in experimental design.

Answer: When the effect of one factor depends on another factor. Factors combine to create different effects.

Flashcard 12: What is the definition of an experimental unit?

Answer: An individual or object to which a treatment is applied. The basic entity receiving experimental treatment.

Flashcard 13: What is selection bias?

Answer: Bias introduced by the method of selecting participants. Non-representative sampling distorts results.

Flashcard 14: Identify a characteristic of a quasi-experiment.

Answer: Lacks random assignment of treatments. Cannot establish causation without randomization.

Flashcard 15: What is the purpose of using a placebo in experiments?

Answer: To control for the placebo effect. Neutralizes psychological treatment responses.

Flashcard 16: Define systematic sampling.

Answer: Selecting every $k^{th}$ individual from a list. Regular interval selection from ordered list.

Flashcard 17: What is the main difference between a single-blind and a double-blind experiment?

Answer: Single-blind conceals from subjects; double-blind from subjects and experimenters. Double-blind also conceals from experimenters.

Flashcard 18: What is a confounding variable?

Answer: A variable that influences both the response and explanatory variables. Distorts true treatment effects through correlation.

Flashcard 19: What is the placebo effect?

Answer: A change in response due to the belief in treatment efficacy. Psychological response to perceived treatment.

Flashcard 20: Identify a key feature of a factorial design.

Answer: All combinations of factors are tested. Tests all possible factor combinations systematically.

Flashcard 21: Define randomization in the context of experiments.

Answer: Random assignment of treatments to experimental units. Ensures unbiased treatment allocation.

Flashcard 22: What is the purpose of blinding in experiments?

Answer: To prevent bias by concealing treatment allocation. Reduces psychological and experimenter bias.

Flashcard 23: What is a cross-sectional study?

Answer: Observes a population at a single point in time. Snapshot of population at one moment.

Flashcard 24: What does 'internal validity' refer to?

Answer: The degree to which the study accurately reflects causal relationships. Measures accuracy of causal conclusions within study.

Flashcard 25: What is a completely randomized design?

Answer: An experimental design where all units are randomly assigned treatments. Simple design with random treatment assignment.

Flashcard 26: What is a treatment in an experiment?

Answer: A specific condition applied to experimental units. The experimental intervention being tested.

Flashcard 27: What is a response variable?

Answer: The outcome measured to assess the effect of a treatment. The dependent variable being measured.

Flashcard 28: What is selection bias?

Answer: Bias introduced by the method of selecting participants. Non-representative sampling distorts results.

Flashcard 29: What is a cross-sectional study?

Answer: Observes a population at a single point in time. Snapshot of population at one moment.

Flashcard 30: Identify a characteristic of a block design.

Answer: Units are grouped into blocks before treatments are assigned. Controls for variability within similar groups.

Flashcard 31: What is the purpose of a pilot study?

Answer: To test procedures and identify potential problems. Preliminary trial to refine methodology.

Flashcard 32: Identify the main advantage of random assignment.

Answer: Reduces bias and balances confounding variables. Eliminates systematic differences between groups.

Flashcard 33: What is the purpose of a pilot study?

Answer: To test procedures and identify potential problems. Preliminary trial to refine methodology.

Flashcard 34: Identify a method to reduce experimental bias.

Answer: Implementing blinding procedures. Concealment prevents knowledge-based bias.

Flashcard 35: Define interaction in experimental design.

Answer: When the effect of one factor depends on another factor. Factors combine to create different effects.

Flashcard 36: Identify the main purpose of stratified sampling.

Answer: To ensure representation across key subgroups. Maintains proportional representation across strata.

Flashcard 37: Define a factor in experimental design.

Answer: An explanatory variable manipulated in the experiment. The independent variable controlled by researchers.

Flashcard 38: What is a longitudinal study?

Answer: Observes the same subjects over a period of time. Tracks changes in subjects over time.

Flashcard 39: What is meant by the term 'experimental bias'?

Answer: Systematic errors in the design or conduct of an experiment. Systematic flaws that distort results.

Flashcard 40: What is a carryover effect in experiments?

Answer: Effects of a treatment that persist into subsequent conditions. Previous treatments influence subsequent responses.

Flashcard 41: What is cluster sampling?

Answer: Dividing the population into groups and sampling entire groups. Samples natural groups rather than individuals.

Flashcard 42: What is a longitudinal study?

Answer: Observes the same subjects over a period of time. Tracks changes in subjects over time.

Flashcard 43: Define randomization in the context of experiments.

Answer: Random assignment of treatments to experimental units. Ensures unbiased treatment allocation.

Flashcard 44: What is replication in experimental design?

Answer: Applying treatments to multiple experimental units. Increases reliability and statistical power.

Flashcard 45: Define the term 'external validity'.

Answer: Extent to which results can be generalized to other contexts. Measures generalizability beyond study conditions.

Flashcard 46: What is a treatment in an experiment?

Answer: A specific condition applied to experimental units. The experimental intervention being tested.

Flashcard 47: What is a control group?

Answer: A group that receives no treatment or a standard treatment. Provides baseline comparison for treatment effects.

Flashcard 48: What is a level in the context of a factor?

Answer: A specific value or category of a factor. Different settings or values of a factor.

Flashcard 49: Define a factor in experimental design.

Answer: An explanatory variable manipulated in the experiment. The independent variable controlled by researchers.

Flashcard 50: What is the purpose of a control in experiments?

Answer: To provide a baseline for comparison. Essential reference point for measuring treatment effects.

Flashcard 51: What is a lurking variable?

Answer: A variable that is not considered but affects the outcome. Hidden variable that may influence results.

Flashcard 52: What is a matched pairs design?

Answer: A design where units are paired, and each pair receives different treatments. Controls for individual differences effectively.

Flashcard 53: What is replication in experimental design?

Answer: Applying treatments to multiple experimental units. Increases reliability and statistical power.

Flashcard 54: What is a randomized block design?

Answer: Units are blocked and then randomly assigned within each block. Combines blocking with randomization for control.

Flashcard 55: Identify a characteristic of a quasi-experiment.

Answer: Lacks random assignment of treatments. Cannot establish causation without randomization.

Flashcard 56: What is a carryover effect in experiments?

Answer: Effects of a treatment that persist into subsequent conditions. Previous treatments influence subsequent responses.

Flashcard 57: What is the placebo effect?

Answer: A change in response due to the belief in treatment efficacy. Psychological response to perceived treatment.

Flashcard 58: What is the difference between an observational study and an experiment?

Answer: Experiments involve manipulation; observational studies do not. Key distinction is researcher control of variables.

Flashcard 59: What is the definition of an experimental unit?

Answer: An individual or object to which a treatment is applied. The basic entity receiving experimental treatment.

Flashcard 60: What is the purpose of using a placebo in experiments?

Answer: To control for the placebo effect. Neutralizes psychological treatment responses.

Flashcard 61: What is the difference between an observational study and an experiment?

Answer: Experiments involve manipulation; observational studies do not. Key distinction is researcher control of variables.

Flashcard 62: What is the main difference between a single-blind and a double-blind experiment?

Answer: Single-blind conceals from subjects; double-blind from subjects and experimenters. Double-blind also conceals from experimenters.

Flashcard 63: What is a level in the context of a factor?

Answer: A specific value or category of a factor. Different settings or values of a factor.

Flashcard 64: What is the purpose of blinding in experiments?

Answer: To prevent bias by concealing treatment allocation. Reduces psychological and experimenter bias.

Flashcard 65: Identify the main purpose of stratified sampling.

Answer: To ensure representation across key subgroups. Maintains proportional representation across strata.

Flashcard 66: What is the Hawthorne effect?

Answer: A change in behavior due to awareness of being observed. Behavioral modification due to observation awareness.

Flashcard 67: What is a confounding variable?

Answer: A variable that influences both the response and explanatory variables. Distorts true treatment effects through correlation.

Flashcard 68: Define the term 'external validity'.

Answer: Extent to which results can be generalized to other contexts. Measures generalizability beyond study conditions.

Flashcard 69: What is a response variable?

Answer: The outcome measured to assess the effect of a treatment. The dependent variable being measured.

Flashcard 70: Identify a method to reduce experimental bias.

Answer: Implementing blinding procedures. Concealment prevents knowledge-based bias.

Flashcard 71: What is the Hawthorne effect?

Answer: A change in behavior due to awareness of being observed. Behavioral modification due to observation awareness.

Flashcard 72: Identify a characteristic of a block design.

Answer: Units are grouped into blocks before treatments are assigned. Controls for variability within similar groups.

Flashcard 73: What is the purpose of a control in experiments?

Answer: To provide a baseline for comparison. Essential reference point for measuring treatment effects.

Flashcard 74: Define systematic sampling.

Answer: Selecting every $k^{th}$ individual from a list. Regular interval selection from ordered list.

Flashcard 75: What is a completely randomized design?

Answer: An experimental design where all units are randomly assigned treatments. Simple design with random treatment assignment.

Flashcard 76: Identify the main advantage of random assignment.

Answer: Reduces bias and balances confounding variables. Eliminates systematic differences between groups.

Flashcard 77: What is the primary goal of an experiment?

Answer: To determine causation between variables. Establishes cause-and-effect relationships through manipulation.

Flashcard 78: What is double blinding?

Answer: Both subjects and experimenters do not know the treatment assignments. Eliminates bias from both participants and researchers.

Flashcard 79: What is a control group?

Answer: A group that receives no treatment or a standard treatment. Provides baseline comparison for treatment effects.