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Psychology- social infleunce > Basic research methods > Flashcards

Basic research methods Flashcards

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1
Q

What is an independent variable

A

the variable that is manipulated by the researcher

one that changes

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2
Q

what is a dependent variable

A

the variable that is being measured

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3
Q

what is an extraneous variable

A

a variable that might affect the DV

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4
Q

what is a confounding variable

A

a variable that interacts with the IV and affects the DV

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5
Q

what are demand characteristics

A

when a participants works out the aims of an experiemtn and behaves in a way they think the experimenter wants them to

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6
Q

what is a lab experiment

A

an experiment that has control of all variables

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7
Q

Evaluation of a lab experiment

A

strengths- high control means findings are reliable

  • high internal validity
  • cause and effect can be established

weaknesses

  • low ecological validity
  • demand characteristics
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8
Q

what is a field experiment

A

an experimental investigation carried out in a natural environment e.g. school

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9
Q

evaluation of field experiement

A

strenghts

  • high ecological valdity
  • low demand characteristics

weaknesses

  • time-consuming, small sample size, low pop validity
  • do not have full control of extraneous variables
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10
Q

what is a natural experiment

A

experimenter takes advantage of a naturally occurring event, does not have control of the IV

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11
Q

Evaluation of natural experiment

A

strenghts

  • high ecological valdity
  • low demand characteristics

weaknesses

  • no control, less reliable as hard to replicate
  • no control of extraneous variables, low internal validity
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12
Q

what is a quasi-experiment

A

an experiement which uses a pre-existing IV that does not vary
usually a character trait e.g. phobia, age, gender

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13
Q

what are the 3 types of experimental design

A
  • matched pairs
  • independent groups
  • repeated measures
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14
Q

what are repeated measures

A

where participants take part in all all levels of the IV and the results of the DV. in both conditions are compared
take part in both conditions

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15
Q

what are independent groups design

A

when participants are split into different conditions, so different participants take part in each levels of the IV

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16
Q

What is matched pairs design

A

when different participants are used in each level of the IV but they are matched as similarly as possible, they are similar on key characteristics that are likely to affect the DV

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17
Q

evaluation of repeated measures

A

strengths

  • less participants needed so cheaper
  • less participant variables

weaknesses

  • demand characteristics
  • order effects, acting as a confounding variable
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18
Q

evaluation of independent groups design

A

strengths

  • less demand characteristics
  • no order effects

weaknesses

  • more participant variables as they are not matched
  • more participants needed
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19
Q

evaluation of match pairs

A

strengths

  • less demand characteristics
  • less order effects
  • less participant variables

weaknesses

  • time consuming
  • more participants needed
  • still some participant variables
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20
Q

way to overcome limitations in repeated measures

A

counterbalancing- half participants experience the conditions in one order, the half experience them in a different order

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21
Q

way to overcome limitations in independent groups

A

random allocation- each participant has the same chance of being in each condition

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22
Q

ways to overcome limitations in match pairs

A

pilot study- consider key variables that might be important on the DV when matching

23
Q

what is standardization

A

when the procedure of the study is standardized so that all participants have the same experience so that individual differences do not cause participants to engage with the study in a different way

24
Q

what are the types of observation

A

participant and non-participant
overt and covert
naturalistic and controlled

25
Q

outline and evaluate naturalistic observation

A

researcher observes naturally occuring beahviour and does not get involved, carried out in natural setting

strength- high external validity- findings can be applicable to other similar settings

weakness- low control of extrnaeous variables reducing internal validity

26
Q

outline and evaluate experimental obervation

A

when the researcher attempts to control some variables, reduces how natural the behaviour and environment is
usually carried out in lab setting so paritipants know they are being studies

strengths- high levels of control- can check for reliability

weakness- lacks external validity- not reflective of everyday behaviour
demand characteristics

27
Q

outline and evaluate an overt observation

A

when paritipants are aware they are bien observed and usually know the nature and purpose of research

strengths- ethically sound- as p’s are aware they are being observed so informed consent can be given

weakness- demand characteristics

28
Q

outline and evaluate covert observation

A

when the participants do not know they are being observed, researcher is normally hidden

strengths- high validity as p’s are more likely to show natural behaviours and there are no demand c’s

weaknesses- ethical issues

29
Q

outline and evaluate participant observation

A

when researcher joins the group being studied

strengths-researcher csn understnsd behaviour that is being shown which increases validity

weaknesses- reduces objectivity, researcher may develop a relationship with participants which may change the results
investigator effects

30
Q

outline and evaluate non-participant observation

A

when the researcher remains external to those being observed and records the date more objectively

strengths- allows researcher to remain more objective and reduces investigator effects

weaknesses- valuable data may be missed as researcher may not understand behaviour being shown

31
Q

what is investigator effects

A

when an experimenter influences the outcome of research

32
Q

what are the 2 types of observational design

A

unstructured- where experiemnter records everything they see

behavioural categories- when researcher operationalises the behaviour being measured, so that all observers know what they are looking for

33
Q

what are the 2 types of sampling procedures in an observation

A

event sampling- watch entire event and record every time a behaviour happens

time sampling- recording behaviour at a set time interval during an observation

34
Q

what are the 5 sampling techniques

A
  • volunteer
  • random
  • opportunity
  • stratified
  • systematic
35
Q

what is volunteer sampling

evaluate it

A

when the researcher places an advert asking for participants for their research

strengths- easy and less time consuming

weaknesses- may be a bius as asking for volunteers attracts a certain type of person- more motivated, have more time

non-generalisable- due to bias, may not be representative of target population

36
Q

what is opportunity sample

evaluate it

A

when a researcher picks those who are most easily available

strengths- quick and easy, less costly

weaknesses
- bias may occur as the researcher may only select those who look approachable or who they want to take part

  • non-generalisable- sample selected may only be from one certain area so is not representative of target population
37
Q

what is random sampling

evaluate it

A

when all members of a target population have equal chance of being selected
participants may be selected using a random number generator or putting names in a hat

strengths- unbiased as everyone has equal chance of taking part
more generalisable- as everyone has equal chance the sample may be more representative of the target population

weaknesses- time consuming
sample selected may still not be representative of the target population so may not be able to generalise to everyone

38
Q

what is systematic sampling

evaluate it

A

invloves having access to the target population then putting them in order and the researcher picks every nth participants from the list of participants available

strengths- less bias than opportunity, researcher has no influence over who is selected once system has been decided

generalizability- it is fairly representative so can be genralised however there is still a small chance it wont be

39
Q

what is stratified sampling

evaluate it

A

this is where a sample reflects key characteristics of the subgroups in a target population
the researcher identifies the different types of people that make up the target population and works out the proportion of people in certain subgroups

strengths

  • no researcher bius as once strata has been established the researcher has no say over the participants
  • high generalizability- produces a representative sample as there is a proportion of representation in sub groups

weaknesses

  • time-consuming and costly
  • complete representation of the population is not possible
40
Q

what is an aim

A

an aim is a general statement that outlines what is being investigated, the purpose of the investigation
developed from previous theory and research

41
Q

what is a hypothesis

A

a specific prediction about the outcome of the investigation, should be fully operationalised

42
Q

what is a null hypothesis

A

this states no difference/correlation in the findings of the research
there will be no significant difference between….

43
Q

what is an experimental hypothesis

A

used when an experiemntal mehtofs has been carried out and there is an IV and DV

44
Q

what is an alternative hyopthesis

A

used in non-experimental mehtods e,g, obervations, correlations etc

45
Q

what is a directional hypothesis

A

this predicts the direction of the results, when one condition of the IV has more of an effect on the DV

there will be significantly more…

46
Q

what is a non-directional hypothesis

A

does not predict the direction of the results.
states there will be no different

there will be a significant difference between….

47
Q

what are the ethical guidelines

A
  • informed consent
  • right to withdraw
  • deception
  • protection of participants
  • debriefing
  • confidentiality
48
Q

what is informed consent

A

investigators should inform all participants of the objectives of the investigation
should inform of all aspect of research and intervention that might influence their willingness to participate

49
Q

what is deception

A

when information is withheld from participants or they are misled in anyway

50
Q

what is protection of participants

A

participants should not be harmed in any way by the investigative procedures- physically or emotionally
loss of self esteem is psychological harm

51
Q

what is a debrief

A

once an experiemnt is over researchers should provide the participants with any information to complete their understanding of the nature of the experiment
the researcher should discuss the experiences with the participants in order to monitor any onforenseen engstive effects

52
Q

what is right to withdraw

A

participants must be made aware that they can withdraw from the experiment at any time and refuse to take part or refuse to contiure or withdraw their results after debriefing

53
Q

what is confidentiality

A

information obtained during an investigation is confeidential unless otherwise agreed in advance
participants have a right to belive any information they provide will be treated confidentially

Psychology- social infleunce (5 decks)

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