4.2.3 - Research Methods

Question 1

Define aim?

Answer 1

A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate

Question 2

Define hypothesis?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Give an aim about how sweets relate to health?

Answer 3

To investigate how sweets impact a person’s health

Question 4

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

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Give a directional hypothesis for how sweets relate to health?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Give three characteristics of a hypothesis

Answer 6

• Clear
• Makes a PREDICTION
• Testable

Question 7

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

Answer 7

• Alternative
• Experimental
• Research

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Null hypothesis

Question 9

What must you do regarding the hypotheses after the experiment?

Answer 9

State whether alternative/experimental/research or null was right

Question 10

Define directional hypothesis?

Answer 10

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

(1 tailed)

Question 11

Define non-directional hypothesis?

Answer 11

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

(2 tailed)

Question 12

When would you use a directional hypothesis?

Answer 12

When previous studies suggest a certain outcome

Question 13

When would you use a non-directional hypothesis?

Answer 13

When there are no/ no conclusive previous studies

Question 14

Define experimental method?

Answer 14

Manipulating an independent variable to measure affect on a dependent variable

Question 15

Define independent variable (IV)?

Answer 15

The variable that is manipulated or controlled by the researcher.

Question 16

Define dependent variable (DV)?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Define operationalisation?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Name and define the two types of experimental conditions?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Define extraneous variables?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Define confounding variables?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Name 4 types of control in experiments?

Answer 21

• Randomisation (v)
• Standardisation (v)
• Random allocation (p)
• Counterbalancing (p)

Question 22

Define demand characteristics?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Define investigator effects?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Define randomisation?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Define standardisation?

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Define single blind trial?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Define double blind trial?

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Define random allocation?

Answer 28

Randomly allocating participants to each experimental condition (equal chance to get picked for each condition) - Reduces chance of individual differences in independent groups method

Question 29

Define counterbalancing?

Answer 29

Changing order that participants experience conditions (ABBA) - Reduces chance of order effects for repeated measures method

Question 30

Define order effects?

Answer 30

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)

Question 31

Define experimental design?

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Name 3 forms of experimental design?

Answer 32

- Independent groups - Repeated measures - Matched pairs

Question 33

Define independent groups method?

Answer 33

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

Question 34

Benefits of independent groups method?

Answer 34

- No order effects | - Less likely demand characteristics

Question 35

Problems with independent groups method?

Answer 35

- More participants (expensive) | - Participants have individual differences (can be CV, reducing validity)

Question 36

Define repeated measures method?

Answer 36

Same participants take part in all conditions

Question 37

Benefits of repeated measures method?

Answer 37

- No participant differences (controls CV) | - Less participants (cheaper)

Question 38

Problems with repeated measures method?

Answer 38

- Can be order effects | - Can be demand characteristics

Question 39

Define matched pairs method?

Answer 39

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

Question 40

Benefits of matched pairs method?

Answer 40

- Fewer individual differences of participants (reduces CV, more valid) - Less likely demand characteristics - No order effects

Question 41

Problems with the matched pairs method?

Answer 41

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

Question 42

What is validity?

Answer 42

How true/ legitimate something is

Question 43

What is internal validity?

Answer 43

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

Question 44

What is external validity?

Answer 44

Extent to which results can be generalised to real life - Ecological = apply to different settings - Temporal = apply to different time periods

Question 45

What is reliability?

Answer 45

Consistency of data and the way its gathered