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Alevel Psychology > 6. Research methods key words > Flashcards

6. Research methods key words Flashcards

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1
Q

Experimental method

A

Involves manipulation of am independent variable to measure the effect on the dependent variable

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2
Q

Aim

A

a general statement of what a researcher intends to investigate and the purpose of the study

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3
Q

Hypothesis

A

a clear and testable statement stating the relationship between the variables to be investigated. Stated at the beginning of the study

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4
Q

Directional hypothesis

A

States the direction of the results (the difference or relationship)

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5
Q

Non-directional hypothesis

A

doesn’t state the direction in which the results will go

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6
Q

Variables

A

Any ‘thing’ that change within an investigation

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7
Q

Independent variable

A

the aspect of the investigation that is manipulated by the researcher, the effect of this on the DV is what is measured

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8
Q

Dependent variable

A

the aspect of the investigation that is measured by the researcher. It should only be affected by the IV

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9
Q

Operationalisation

A

clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured

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10
Q

Extraneous variable

A

Any variable that may get in between the IV and the DV. they are also called nuisance variables and don’t vary systematically with the IV.

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11
Q

Confounding variables

A

Any variable that can affect the DV in the same way that the IV can so we can’t identify the true cause of the change. These vary systematically with the IV

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12
Q

Demand characteristics

A

Any cue given from the researcher that gives away the true nature of the investigation. This may change the participants behaviour and result in the please-U or screw-U effect.

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13
Q

Investigator effects

A

any effect of the behaviour of the researcher on the research out come (the DV). Including: design of study, participant selection and interaction with them.

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14
Q

Randomisation

A

the use of chance in order to control researcher bias when designing an investigation

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15
Q

Standardisation

A

Using the same, formalised procedures and instructions for each participant

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16
Q

Population

A

a group of people who are the focus of the researcher’s interests, from which the sample is chosen.

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17
Q

Sample

A

a group of people chosen from the target population for the investigation. It is supposedly representative of the population and is chosen using ‘fair’ methods

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18
Q

Sampling techniques

A

the method used to select people from the population

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19
Q

Bias

A

This limits the extent to which a sample can be generalised to the whole population as some groups might become over or under represented.

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20
Q

Generalisation

A

the extent to which findings from an investigation can be broadly applied to the population. Therefore the sample has to be representative of the population

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21
Q

Ethical issues

A

These arise when there is a conflict between the rights of participants and the goals of the researcher to make the results valid and authentic

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22
Q

BPS code of conduct

A

The quasi-legal document produced by the British Psychological society that instructs psychologists about what behaviour is and isn’t acceptable. It’s built around four key principles: respect, competence, responsibility and integrity

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23
Q

Experimental designs

A

the different ways in which the testing of participants can be organised in relation to the experimental condition

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24
Q

Independent Groups Design (IDG)

A

Participants allocated to different groups where each group represents one experimental condition

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25
Q

Repeated Measures Design (RMD)

A

All participants take part in all conditions of the experiment

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26
Q

Matched Pairs Design (MPD)

A

Pairs of participants are first matched on some variables that may affect the DV. Then one member of each group is assigned to condition A and the other to condition B.

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27
Q

Random allocation

A

An attempt to control for participant variables in an IGD which ensure that each participant has the same chance of being in one condition as any other.

28
Q

Order effect

A

A confounding variable that occurs in RMD due to the order in which participants take part in each condition

29
Q

Counterbalancing

A

An attempt to control the effect of order effects in RMD: half of the participants experience conditions in one order (A to B) and the other in the opposite (B to A)

30
Q

Laboratory Experiment

A

An experiment takes place in a controlled environment within which the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV, whilst maintaining strict control of extraneous variables

31
Q

Field experiment

A

An experiment that takes place in a natural setting within which the researcher manipulates the IV and records it’s effect on the DV

32
Q

Natural experiment

A

An experiment where the change in the IV is not brought about by the researcher but would’ve occurred even if the researcher had not been there. The researcher records the effect of the DV

33
Q

Quasi-experiment

A

A study that is almost an experiment but the IV has not been determined by anyone. The “variables” simply exist, such as being old or young.

34
Q

Pilot Study

A

A small scale version of the real investigation, done before the official one in order to check procedures, materials, measuring devices, etc to see if they work properly. This allows changes to be made if issues occur. Findings are IRRELEVANT

35
Q

Naturalistic observation

A

Watching behaviour in the setting in normally occurs in

36
Q

Controlled observation

A

Watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment

37
Q

Covert observation

A

Participants’ behaviour watched and recorded WITHOUT their knowledge

38
Q

Overt observation

A

Participants’ behaviour watched and recorded WITH their knowledge and consent

39
Q

Participant observation

A

When the researcher becomes a part of the group they are observing

40
Q

Non-Participant observation

A

the researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour is being recorded

41
Q

Unstructured observation

A

every instance of a behaviour is recorded in as much detail as possible. Useful when target behaviour doesn’t occur often

42
Q

Structured observation

A

researcher uses various systems to organise observations, such as a sampling technique and behavioural analysis

43
Q

Target behaviour

A

behaviours which are the main focus of an investigation

44
Q

Behavioural categories

A

When a target behaviour is broken up into components that are observable and measurable

45
Q

Behaviour checklist

A

a checklist of behaviour(s) to be observed in individual components. Each component should should be an observable behaviour which is measurable

46
Q

Continuous recording

A

making a note of everything without pause

47
Q

Event sampling

A

When researcher records the number of times a particular behaviour or event occurs in a target individual group

48
Q

Time sampling

A

When a researcher records behaviour within a pre-determined time frame

49
Q

Inter-observer reliability

A

the extent to which there is an agreement between multiple observers involved in an observation of behaviour. This is measured by correlating the observations of two or more observers. If the correlation is +0.8 then there is a high observer reliability.

50
Q

Quantitative data

A

data that can be counted, usually numer9ical

51
Q

Qualitative data

A

data that is expressed in words and non-numerical form

52
Q

Observer bias

A

When observer’s expectations affect what they see or hear. This reduces validity

53
Q

Self report technique

A

any method in which a person is asked to state and explain their own feelings, opinions or experiences related to a given topic

54
Q

Questionnaire

A

a set of written questions used to asses a person’s feelings or experiences. Participants write their own response to the question. Can be used as part of the experiment to assess the DV

55
Q

Interview

A

A ‘live’ encounter where the interviewer asks a set of questions to asses the interviewee’s thoughts/experiences.

56
Q

Structured interview

A

questions are decided in advance. A questionnaire delivered in person

57
Q

Unstructured interview

A

starts with general questions with some general aims but the interviewee’s answers guide the subsequent questions. Interaction is free free flowing and interviewee is encouraged to expand their answers

58
Q

Semi-structured interview

A

a combination of a structured and an unstructured one. Some predetermined questions and aims but the interaction is generally free flowing

59
Q

Interviewer schedule

A

a set of pre set questions for the interviewer to use

60
Q

Interviewer bias

A

bias that arises due to the interviewers behaviours, i.e. how they respond to the interviewee or the topics they are interested in

61
Q

Group interview

A

more than one participant interviewed at one time

62
Q

Case studies

A

they are in-depth investigation, description and analysis of a single individual, group or institution.

63
Q

Content analysis

A

technique for analysing qualitative data of various kind. Data can be placed into categories and counted (quantitative) or analysed in themes (qualitative)

64
Q

Coding

A

a stage of content analysis in which the data is viewed and each instance of chosen categories is recorded in a tally chart (counted up)

65
Q

Thematic analysis

A

inductive and qualitative approach that involves identifying implicit or explicit ideas within the data. The data is then a=organised according to these themes

Alevel Psychology (2 decks)

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