design

n. the format of a research study, describing how it will be conducted and the data collected. For example, an experimental design involves an independent variable and at least two groups, a treatment or experimental group and a control group, to which participants are randomly assigned and then assessed on the dependent variable. A variety of other design types exist, including correlational research, quasi-experimental designs, longitudinal designs, natural experiments, and observational studies, among others.

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Psychology term of the day

January 5th 2025

common region

common region

a recently introduced gestalt principle of organization, stating that objects sharing a common bounded region of space appear to belong together and tend to be perceived as a distinct group. For example, animals in a fenced-in enclosure are more likely to be seen as a group than are the same distribution of animals arrayed in open space. Also called law of common region; principle of common region. [proposed in 1992 by U.S. psychologist Stephen E. Palmer (1948– )]