Baseline knowledge for methods Flashcards
Define psychology
psychology is the scientific study of human and animal behaviour with the object of understanding why living beings behave as they do
Define quantitative
data in a numerical form
Define qualitative
data in a non-numerical descriptive form
Define credibility
means something is accurate
Define objective
facts, no opinion and no room for interpretation
Define subjective
Judgements and opinions
Define validity
information that’s correct and detailed
Define social desirability
when a participant changes their behaviour in order to be seen in a positive light
Define demand characteristics
when a participant changes their behaviour or response in order to please the researcher. This happens when they guess the aim of the research
Define response bias/ set
When the participant responds in a pattern. E.g A B C A B C or always chooses the midpoint of the scale
Define hypothesis
A prediction, it’s always a statement and never a question. It can be tested and either supported or rejected by research
Define alternative hypothesis
The significant difference or correlation you expect to observe
Define null hypothesis
The opposite of an alternate/ alternative hypothesis. But every study needs one. Always put ‘any differences will be due to chance’ at the end of a null hypothesis
Define non-directional/ two tailed
States there will be a difference or correlation
Define directional/ one tailed
States the direction of the difference or correlation
Define extraneous variables
Something that might impact the results of the study
Define confounding variables
Variables that DID impact the results of he study
Define independent variable
Variable that’s manipulated by the researcher
Define dependent variable
The variable affected by the IV, which is measured by the researcher
Define Operationalise
The variables (put them in a measurable form) e.g. numbers
Define conditions
Different variants of the independent variable
Define experimental design
The way in which participants are allocated to different conditions in an experiment
Define independent groups
There are different participants in every condition of the experiment
Define repeated measures
Some participants are in every condition of the experiment (they repeat the experiment for every condition)
Define matched pairs
Different but similar participants are in each condition of the experiment. Group A and group B are matched on a certain trait
Define order effects
Effects that occur due to the order the participant experiences the conditions
Define target population
The total group of people from which a sample can be drawn
Define sample
The participants involved in the research, selected from the target population
Define representative
Reflects the target population
Define random sampling
Every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected
Define volunteering sampling
Participants select themselves by responding to an advertisement
Define opportunity sampling
Using participants who are available at the time and place
Define stratified sampling
The sample is proportional to the target population. The target population is broken down into sub-groups
Define systematic sampling
Selecting every nth member of the target population
What is consent?
When the participant has agreed to take part in the study
What is informed consent?
When the participant knows EXACTLY what they are signing up to do
What is competency?
When the researcher is suitably qualified and knows the ethical guidelines
What is confidentiality?
When participants data is kept safe and secure. Participants should remain anonymous
What is avoiding deception?
Not lying to participants about the study, during the study or after the study. One way of deceiving participants is not gaining informed consent
What is psychological harm?
Mental harm, trauma. The risk of harm should be no greater than everyday life. You should protect participants from physical and psychological harm
What is a debrief?
After the study, you must tell participants the aims of the study and reveal any deception. You should give them the chance to withdraw their data
What is the right to withdraw?
When participants have the right to withdraw their data at any stage. Either before, during or after taking part in the study
