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Psychology > 7. Research Methods > Flashcards

7. Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

What are dependent variables?

A

The variable whose changes we wish to study in the investigation.

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2
Q

What are independent variables?

A

The variable that the researcher manipulates.

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3
Q

What are operationalising variables?

A

Refers to how you define and measure a specific variable as it is used in your study.

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4
Q

What is an experimental hypothesis?

A

A prediction of what will happen (“There WILL be a difference between…”)

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5
Q

What is a null hypothesis?

A

A prediction that nothing will happen (“There will be NO difference between…”)

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6
Q

What is a one-tailed hypothesis?

A

When hypotheses predict the direction of the results.

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7
Q

What is a two-tailed hypothesis?

A

When a hypothesis does not state a direction but simply state that there will be a difference between to results.

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8
Q

What are extraneous variables?

A

Variables which may affect the results.

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9
Q

What are confounding variables?

A

When we fail to control extraneous variable and they affect our results - these variables are now confounding.

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10
Q

What is the independent groups design?

A

Different people in each condition.

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11
Q

What is the repeated measures design?

A

The same people in both conditions.

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12
Q

What is the matched pairs design?

A

Different BUT SIMILAR participants in each condition.

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13
Q

What are the types of sampling?

A
  1. Random
  2. Systematic
  3. Stratified
  4. Opportunity
  5. Volunteer
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14
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of random sampling?

A

S: Is free from researcher bias.
W: Time consuming, difficult to conduct, no guarantee of representation.

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15
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of systematic sampling?

A

S: Is free from researcher bias.
W: Time consuming, difficult to conduct, no guarantee of representation.

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16
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of stratified sampling?

A

S: Avoids researcher bias, designed to be representative of the population.
W: Stratification is not perfect - we need to be cautious about generalising.

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17
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of opportunity sampling?

A

S: It is quick and easy way of choosing participants.
W: There is researcher bias, unrepresentative of the target population.

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18
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of volunteer sampling?

A

S: It is easy and requires minimal input - less time consuming.
W: Volunteer bias.

19
Q

What are the types of experiment?

A
  • Laboratory
  • Field
  • Natural
  • Quasi
20
Q

What is a laboratory experiment?

A

Conducted in controlled conditions, in which the researcher deliberately changes something to see the effect of this on something else.

21
Q

What are the strengths and weaknesses of laboratory experiments?

A

S: High control meaning there is high internal validity, replicable meaning we can increase reliability.
W: Lacks ecological validity.

22
Q

What is a field experiment?

A

An experiment that takes place in a ‘real world’ setting but the psychologist still manipulated the IV.

23
Q

What are the strengths and weaknesses of field experiments?

A

S: Reasonable internal and external validity.
W: Less control so slightly lower internal validity.

24
Q

What is a natural experiment?

A

An experiment that is conducted in a natural setting, but the IV is not manipulated by the experimenter.

25
Q

What are the strengths and weaknesses of natural experiments?

A

S: High ecological and external validity.
W: Lack of control meaning there is low internal validity, not replicable meaning there is lower reliability.

26
Q

What is a quasi experiment?

A

An experiment that lacks full control over the IV, because they are pre-existing or naturally occurring. Used when it is not ethical to manipulate the IV.

27
Q

What are the strengths and weaknesses of quasi experiments?

A

S: Used when ethics are difficult, increased ecological validity.
W: Less reliable because of confounding environmental variables, must wait for the IV to occur, lower internal validity.

28
Q

What ethics issues do experimenters face in psychology?

A
  • Deception
  • Informed consent
  • Protection of participants
  • Right to withdraw
  • Confidentiality
29
Q

Deception

A

When participants are misled during an experiment. Sometimes, it can be justified to yield accurate results and lower demand characteristics.

30
Q

Informed consent

A

Participants must be briefed on objective of the experiment and what will be required of them. For an experiment to be ethical the participant must agree to the terms without be pressured to do so.

31
Q

Protection of participants

A

Ensuring that the participants do not suffer with any physical or mental damage because of the experiment.

32
Q

Right to withdraw

A

Participants must be informed that they can leave the experiment and are allowed to do so without giving explanation.

33
Q

Confidentiality

A

The concept that participants should remain anonymous so data cannot be identified as theirs.

34
Q

Types of observation?

A
  • Laboratory / Natural
  • Overt / Covert
  • Participant / Non-participant
35
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of laboratory observations?

A

S: Can be replicated, we can check reliability, effective for studying a controlled variable.
W: Low ecological validity, not effective for studying behaviour.

36
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of natural observations?

A

S: High ecological validity, effective for studying behaviour.
W: Cannot be replicated to check reliability.

37
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of overt observations?

A

S: Possible to gain informed consent - no ethical issues.
W: Demand characteristics, social desirability.

38
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of covert observations?

A

S: Investigator effects are unlikely, lower chance of demand characteristics.
W: Less ethical

39
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of participant observations?

A

S: In-depth data can be obtains, low chance of demand characteristics.
W: Researcher presence may influence participants, may be investigator effects.

40
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of non-participant observations?

A

S: No investigator effects.
W: May be researcher bias, less accurate data obtained.

41
Q

What are key features of questionnaires?

A

→ Set of written question - designed to collect information.
→ Can discover what people think or feel.
→ Always pre-determined.
→ Can provide either qualitative or quantitative data.

42
Q

Types of interviews?

A
  • Structured interviews
  • Unstructured interviews
  • Semi-structured interviews
43
Q

Key features of interview types?

A

→ Structured interviews - pre-determined questions; essentially a questionnaire delivered face to face or over the phone.
→ Unstructured interviews - The interviewer may begin with general aims and possibly a few pre-determined questions but subsequent questions develop on the basis of the answers that are given.
→ Semi-structured interviews - Initial open question, Secondary probe if participants do not provide detail, Specific prompt/reference to stimulus if purpose not achieved.

Psychology (12 decks)

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