Baseline knowledge for methods

Question 1

Define psychology

Answer 1

psychology is the scientific study of human and animal behaviour with the object of understanding why living beings behave as they do

Question 2

Define quantitative

Answer 2

data in a numerical form

Question 3

Define qualitative

Answer 3

data in a non-numerical descriptive form

Question 4

Define credibility

Answer 4

means something is accurate

Question 5

Define objective

Answer 5

facts, no opinion and no room for interpretation

Question 6

Define subjective

Answer 6

Judgements and opinions

Question 7

Define validity

Answer 7

information that’s correct and detailed

Question 8

Define social desirability

Answer 8

when a participant changes their behaviour in order to be seen in a positive light

Question 9

Define demand characteristics

Answer 9

when a participant changes their behaviour or response in order to please the researcher. This happens when they guess the aim of the research

Question 10

Define response bias/ set

Answer 10

When the participant responds in a pattern. E.g A B C A B C or always chooses the midpoint of the scale

Question 11

Define hypothesis

Answer 11

A prediction, it’s always a statement and never a question. It can be tested and either supported or rejected by research

Question 12

Define alternative hypothesis

Answer 12

The significant difference or correlation you expect to observe

Question 13

Define null hypothesis

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Define non-directional/ two tailed

Answer 14

States there will be a difference or correlation

Question 15

Define directional/ one tailed

Answer 15

States the direction of the difference or correlation

Question 16

Define extraneous variables

Answer 16

Something that might impact the results of the study

Question 17

Define confounding variables

Answer 17

Variables that DID impact the results of he study

Question 18

Define independent variable

Answer 18

Variable that’s manipulated by the researcher

Question 19

Define dependent variable

Answer 19

The variable affected by the IV, which is measured by the researcher

Question 20

Define Operationalise

Answer 20

The variables (put them in a measurable form) e.g. numbers

Question 21

Define conditions

Answer 21

Different variants of the independent variable

Question 22

Define experimental design

Answer 22

The way in which participants are allocated to different conditions in an experiment

Question 23

Define independent groups

Answer 23

There are different participants in every condition of the experiment

Question 24

Define repeated measures

Answer 24

Some participants are in every condition of the experiment (they repeat the experiment for every condition)

Question 25

Define matched pairs

Answer 25

Different but similar participants are in each condition of the experiment. Group A and group B are matched on a certain trait

Question 26

Define order effects

Answer 26

Effects that occur due to the order the participant experiences the conditions

Question 27

Define target population

Answer 27

The total group of people from which a sample can be drawn

Question 28

Define sample

Answer 28

The participants involved in the research, selected from the target population

Question 29

Define representative

Answer 29

Reflects the target population

Question 30

Define random sampling

Answer 30

Every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected

Question 31

Define volunteering sampling

Answer 31

Participants select themselves by responding to an advertisement

Question 32

Define opportunity sampling

Answer 32

Using participants who are available at the time and place

Question 33

Define stratified sampling

Answer 33

The sample is proportional to the target population. The target population is broken down into sub-groups

Question 34

Define systematic sampling

Answer 34

Selecting every nth member of the target population

Question 35

What is consent?

Answer 35

When the participant has agreed to take part in the study

Question 36

What is informed consent?

Answer 36

When the participant knows EXACTLY what they are signing up to do

Question 37

What is competency?

Answer 37

When the researcher is suitably qualified and knows the ethical guidelines

Question 38

What is confidentiality?

Answer 38

When participants data is kept safe and secure. Participants should remain anonymous

Question 39

What is avoiding deception?

Answer 39

Not lying to participants about the study, during the study or after the study. One way of deceiving participants is not gaining informed consent

Question 40

What is psychological harm?

Answer 40

Mental harm, trauma. The risk of harm should be no greater than everyday life. You should protect participants from physical and psychological harm

Question 41

What is a debrief?

Answer 41

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

Question 42

What is the right to withdraw?

Answer 42

When participants have the right to withdraw their data at any stage. Either before, during or after taking part in the study