Research Methods : Pilot Studies, Correlations, Experiments Etc Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a pilot study?

A

A trial to test aspects of the study to make sure it works, isn’t confusing for participants, and check to see if it needs improved.

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2
Q

Single blind procedure definition

A

A research design in which a participant is not sware kf the research aims and what condition of the experiment they are in so they don’t act on demand characteristics. Researcher will know conditions.

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3
Q

Double blind procedure

A

Neither participant nor researcher knows research aims or who is in what conditions of the experiment. Thus they have no expectations that might alter participants behaviour

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4
Q

Independent variable meaning

A

The variable that is changed by the experiment

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5
Q

Confounding variable meaning

A

Any variable other than the IV that may have affected the DV

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6
Q

Dependant variable meaning

A

The variable that is being measured

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7
Q

What is a correlation

A

A relationship between 2 variables but it doesn’t mean that one thing causes another.

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8
Q

Extraneous variable meaning

A

Any variable other than IV that may have an effect on the DV if it is not controlled for

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9
Q

Intervening variable meaning

A

A variable that comes between 2 variables and can be used to explain the relationship between 2 variables

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10
Q

Positive correlation

A

When one variable increases, the other increases.

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11
Q

Negative correlation

A

As one increases, one decreases.

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12
Q

Strength of correlations

A
  • May suggest ideas for possible research
  • they aren’t time consuming (uses pre existing data)
  • don’t cost a lot to carry out
  • there’s no need for a controlled environment
  • no manipulation of variables in required
  • helps find relationships between variables that otherwise would be unethical to do an experiment on
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13
Q

Weaknesses of correlations

A
  • tell us how but not why variables are related
  • cannot demonstrate cause and effect so you are unable to see which co-variable is causing the other to change
  • there may be a 3rd untested variable taht causes relationship between variables
  • correlations may be misinterpreted or misused
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14
Q

Differences between experiments and correlations

A

Experiments :
- establish causality
- finds data and researches it/designs a study to find out more
- involves manipulation of variables

Correlations :
- only show associations between variables
- uses pre-existing data
- does not involve manipulation of variables

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15
Q

Aims definition

A

It’s a general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate

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16
Q

Hypothesis definition

A

A clear testable statement that states the relationship between variables to be investigated.

17
Q

Directional hypothesis definition

A

A hypothesis that states what the difference between variables will be.

18
Q

Non directional hypothesis

A

A hypothesis that refers to a difference, but does not specify what the difference is. Doesn’t say more/less, better/worse, faster/slower, etc.

19
Q

What does it mean to operationalise a hypothesis?

A

Variables investigated should be clearly defined and measureable.

Example : specify both IV conditions, and the DV

20
Q

Independent groups meaning

A

Testing separate groups of people. Each group is tested in a different condition.

21
Q

Independent groups strengths

A
  • order effects are not a problem
  • participants are less likely to guess the aims of the experiment
22
Q

Independent groups weaknesses

A
  • participants in the separate groups are different individuals, so differences in results may be a result of individual differences
  • each participant contributes a single result - less economical - more people needed
23
Q

Repeated measures meaning

A

Testing the same group of people on different conditions - the same people used repeatedly

24
Q

Repeated measures strengths

A
  • participant variables/individual differences are controlled
  • fewer participants needed = less time consuming
25
Q

Repeated measures weaknesses

A
  • participants need to do 2 tasks, order of these tasks may be significant (order effects)
  • multiple tasks may = boredom /improve performance through practice
  • more likely the participant will figure out the aim of the experiment (demand characteristics)
26
Q

Matched pairs meaning

A

Testing separete groups of people - each member of one group is the same age, sex, or social background as a member of the other group

27
Q

Matched pairs strengths

A
  • order of effect and demand characteristics are less of a problem
28
Q

Matched pairs weaknesses

A
  • time consuming
  • expensive
    -pairs can never be fully matched
29
Q

Counterbalancing meaning

A

An attempt to control order effects in a repeated measures design . DOES NOT remove order effects, only balances it.

E.g half participants take part in condition A then B, the other half does B then A (ABBA)

30
Q

When do you use either a directional or non-directional hypothesis?

A

Directional : when findings of previous research studies suggest a certain outcome

Non-directional : when there is no previous research, or findings for earlier experiments, contradict each other

31
Q

Experimental conditions

A

The main IV being tested and its effect.

32
Q

Controll conditions

A

Compared to other IV that is being tested for how it effects a person