6: Research Methods Key Terms Flashcards
Experimental method
involves changing the independent variable to see how it affects the dependent variable
Aim
a general statement about what the researcher is going to investigate
Hypothesis
a clear, precise statement that states the relationship between the variables that are going to be tested
Directional hypothesis
states the direction of the difference or relationship
Non-directional hypothesis
does not state the direction of the difference or relationship
Variables
any ‘thing’ that can vary or change within an experiment
Independent variable
the variable that you change to see if it has an effect on the dependent variable
Dependent variable
the variable that you measure
Operationalisation
stating how the independent variables will be changed and how the dependent variables will be measured
Population
the group of people the researcher is interested in investigating, from which a smaller sample is obtained
Sample
a smaller group of people taken from the target population that will take part in the experiment
Sampling techniques
the method used to select the sample from the population
Bias
when certain groups may be over or under-represented due to how the groups were chosen
Generalisation
the extent to which the findings from an experiment can be applied to the wider population
Validity
the extent to which an observed effect is genuine – does it measure the correct thing?
Face validity
a form of validity that tests whether the experiment appears to be testing what it says it is testing
Concurrent validity
the extent to which a measure relates to an existing similar measure
Ecological validity
the extent to which findings can be related to another setting or environment
Temporal validity
the extent to which findings can be related to other historical times or eras
Qualitative data
data that is expressed in words and non-numerical (although qualitative data may be converted to numbers for the purposes of analysis)
Quantitative data
data that can be counted, usually given as numbers
Primary data
information that has been obtained first-hand by the researcher for the purposes of a research project. In psychology, such data is often gathered directly from participants as part of an experiment, self-report or observation
Secondary data
information that has already been collected by someone else and so pre-dates the current research project. In psychology, such data might include the work of other psychologists or government statistics
Meta-analysis
‘research about research’, refers to the process of combining results from a number of studies on a particular topic to provide an overall view. This may involve a qualitative review of conclusions and/or a quantitative analysis of the results producing an effect size.
Extraneous variables
any variable, other than the IV, that may have an effect on the DV if it is not controlled. EVs are essentially nuisance variables that do not vary systematically with the IV.
Confounding variables
any variable, other than the IV, that may have affected the DV so we cannot be sure of the true source of changes to the DV. Confounding variables vary systematically with the IV.
Demand characteristics
any cue from the researcher or from the research situation that may be interpreted by participants as revealing the purpose of the investigation. This may lead to participants changing their behaviour within the research situation.
Investigator effects
any effect of the investigator’s behaviour (conscious or subconscious) on the research outcome (DV). This may include everything from the design of the study to the selection of, and interaction with, participants during the research process.
Randomisation
the use of chance in order to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of conditions.
Standardisation
using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study.
Experimental design
the different ways in which the testing of participants can be organised in relation to the experimental condition.
Independent groups design
participants are allocated to different groups where each group represents one experimental condition
Repeated measures
all participants take part in all conditions of the experiment
Matched pairs design
pairs of participants are first matched on some variables that may affect the DV. Then one member of the pair is assigned to Condition A and the other to Condition B.
Random allocation
an attempt to control for participant variables in an independent groups design which ensures that each participant has the same chance of being in one condition as any other.
Counterbalancing
an attempt to control for the effects of order in a repeated measures design: half the participants experience the conditions in one order, and the other half in the opposite order.
ethical issues
These arise when a conflict exists between the rights of the participants and the goals of the research to produce authentic, valid and worthwhile data
BPS code of ethics
A quasi legal document produced by the British psychological Society that instructs UK psychologists about what behaviour is and is not acceptable when dealing with participants. It is built around four main principles; respect, competence, responsibility, and integrity.
