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A-Level Psychology (VC) > 4.2.3 - Research Methods > Flashcards

4.2.3 - Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Define aim?

A

A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate

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2
Q

Define hypothesis?

A

A clear, precise, testable statement of what the researcher believes to be true

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3
Q

Give an aim about how sweets relate to health?

A

To investigate how sweets impact a person’s health

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4
Q

Give a non-directional hypothesis for how sweets relate to health?

A

There will be a difference between the life expectancy of someone who eats more than 3 bags of sweets a week, compared to someone who eats less than 3 bags of sweets a week

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5
Q

Give a directional hypothesis for how sweets relate to health?

A

A person who eats more than 3 bags of sweets a week will have a lower life expectancy than a person who eats less than 3 bags of sweets a week

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6
Q

Give three characteristics of a hypothesis

A
  • Clear
  • Makes a PREDICTION
  • Testable
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7
Q

What are the terms for a hypothesis made about there being a difference when the IV is changed?

A
  • Alternative
  • Experimental
  • Research
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8
Q

What is the term for a hypothesis that states there will be no difference when the IV is changed?

A

Null hypothesis

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9
Q

What must you do regarding the hypotheses after the experiment?

A

State whether alternative/experimental/research or null was right

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10
Q

Define directional hypothesis?

A

Hypothesis that states the sort of difference anticipated between two groups/ conditions

(1 tailed)

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11
Q

Define non-directional hypothesis?

A

A hypothesis that states there is a difference between two groups/ conditions, but doesn’t state what the difference will be

(2 tailed)

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12
Q

When would you use a directional hypothesis?

A

When previous studies suggest a certain outcome

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13
Q

When would you use a non-directional hypothesis?

A

When there are no/ no conclusive previous studies

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14
Q

Define experimental method?

A

Manipulating an independent variable to measure affect on a dependent variable

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15
Q

Define independent variable (IV)?

A

The variable that is manipulated or controlled by the researcher.

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16
Q

Define dependent variable (DV)?

A

The variable that is measured to show the affect of the IV.

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17
Q

Define operationalisation?

A

Clearly defining variables (in a hypothesis) in terms of how they can be measured

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18
Q

Name and define the two types of experimental conditions?

A
  • Control group/condition (doesn’t experience change of independent variable, acting as a baseline for comparison)
  • Experimental group/condition (experiences change of independent variable)
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19
Q

Define extraneous variables?

A

Nuisance variables that do not vary with the IV but may have the potential to affect the DV, so some may be controlled by the researcher.

20
Q

Define confounding variables?

A

Variables that vary systematically with the IV, so will alter the DV and must be controlled by the researcher.
When a variable HAS AFFECTED the DV it is said to have ‘confounded’ the results

21
Q

Name 4 types of control in experiments?

A
  • Randomisation (v)
  • Standardisation (v)
  • Random allocation (p)
  • Counterbalancing (p)
22
Q

Define demand characteristics?

A

Any cue from the researcher/research situation that may reveal the purpose of the study and cause participants to alter their behaviour accordingly

23
Q

Define investigator effects?

A

Any effects of the investigator’s unconscious/conscious behaviour on the DV

24
Q

Define randomisation?

A

Use of chance when designing experiments to reduce the likelihood of bias

25
Q

Define standardisation?

A

Using the exact same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants of the study to reduce bias

26
Q

Define single blind trial?

A

Participant doesn’t know purpose of study (reduces demand characteristics)

27
Q

Define double blind trial?

A

Participant and investigator don’t know purpose of the study (reduces chances of demand characteristics + investigator effects)

28
Q

Define random allocation?

A

Randomly allocating participants to each experimental condition (equal chance to get picked for each condition)

  • Reduces chance of individual differences in independent groups method
29
Q

Define counterbalancing?

A

Changing order that participants experience conditions (ABBA)

  • Reduces chance of order effects for repeated measures method
30
Q

Define order effects?

A

Effects that arise when participants experience more than 1 condition.
- May cause better 2nd performance due to practice
- May cause worse 2nd performance due to fatigue/ boredom
(Can be reduced using counterbalancing)

31
Q

Define experimental design?

A

Way in which participants can be organised in relation to experimental conditions

32
Q

Name 3 forms of experimental design?

A
  • Independent groups
  • Repeated measures
  • Matched pairs
33
Q

Define independent groups method?

A

Participants are split into two groups, where each group experiences one condition

34
Q

Benefits of independent groups method?

A
  • No order effects

- Less likely demand characteristics

35
Q

Problems with independent groups method?

A
  • More participants (expensive)

- Participants have individual differences (can be CV, reducing validity)

36
Q

Define repeated measures method?

A

Same participants take part in all conditions

37
Q

Benefits of repeated measures method?

A
  • No participant differences (controls CV)

- Less participants (cheaper)

38
Q

Problems with repeated measures method?

A
  • Can be order effects

- Can be demand characteristics

39
Q

Define matched pairs method?

A

Participants are paired based on variable(s) that may affect the DV and one is assigned to each group/ condition

40
Q

Benefits of matched pairs method?

A
  • Fewer individual differences of participants (reduces CV, more valid)
  • Less likely demand characteristics
  • No order effects
41
Q

Problems with the matched pairs method?

A
  • Still some individual differences (can’t control all CVs)
  • Matching is time consuming + expensive
  • More participants
42
Q

What is validity?

A

How true/ legitimate something is

43
Q

What is internal validity?

A

Extent to which results (DV) are actually caused by manipulation of the IV.
(Whether there is cause and effect relationship)

44
Q

What is external validity?

A

Extent to which results can be generalised to real life

  • Ecological = apply to different settings
  • Temporal = apply to different time periods
45
Q

What is reliability?

A

Consistency of data and the way its gathered

A-Level Psychology (VC) (4 decks)

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