Basic research methods Flashcards
What is an independent variable
the variable that is manipulated by the researcher
one that changes
what is a dependent variable
the variable that is being measured
what is an extraneous variable
a variable that might affect the DV
what is a confounding variable
a variable that interacts with the IV and affects the DV
what are demand characteristics
when a participants works out the aims of an experiemtn and behaves in a way they think the experimenter wants them to
what is a lab experiment
an experiment that has control of all variables
Evaluation of a lab experiment
strengths- high control means findings are reliable
- high internal validity
- cause and effect can be established
weaknesses
- low ecological validity
- demand characteristics
what is a field experiment
an experimental investigation carried out in a natural environment e.g. school
evaluation of field experiement
strenghts
- high ecological valdity
- low demand characteristics
weaknesses
- time-consuming, small sample size, low pop validity
- do not have full control of extraneous variables
what is a natural experiment
experimenter takes advantage of a naturally occurring event, does not have control of the IV
Evaluation of natural experiment
strenghts
- high ecological valdity
- low demand characteristics
weaknesses
- no control, less reliable as hard to replicate
- no control of extraneous variables, low internal validity
what is a quasi-experiment
an experiement which uses a pre-existing IV that does not vary
usually a character trait e.g. phobia, age, gender
what are the 3 types of experimental design
- matched pairs
- independent groups
- repeated measures
what are repeated measures
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
what are independent groups design
when participants are split into different conditions, so different participants take part in each levels of the IV
What is matched pairs design
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
evaluation of repeated measures
strengths
- less participants needed so cheaper
- less participant variables
weaknesses
- demand characteristics
- order effects, acting as a confounding variable
evaluation of independent groups design
strengths
- less demand characteristics
- no order effects
weaknesses
- more participant variables as they are not matched
- more participants needed
evaluation of match pairs
strengths
- less demand characteristics
- less order effects
- less participant variables
weaknesses
- time consuming
- more participants needed
- still some participant variables
way to overcome limitations in repeated measures
counterbalancing- half participants experience the conditions in one order, the half experience them in a different order
way to overcome limitations in independent groups
random allocation- each participant has the same chance of being in each condition
ways to overcome limitations in match pairs
pilot study- consider key variables that might be important on the DV when matching
what is standardization
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
what are the types of observation
participant and non-participant
overt and covert
naturalistic and controlled
outline and evaluate naturalistic observation
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
outline and evaluate experimental obervation
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
outline and evaluate an overt observation
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
outline and evaluate covert observation
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
outline and evaluate participant observation
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
outline and evaluate non-participant observation
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
what is investigator effects
when an experimenter influences the outcome of research
what are the 2 types of observational design
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
what are the 2 types of sampling procedures in an observation
event sampling- watch entire event and record every time a behaviour happens
time sampling- recording behaviour at a set time interval during an observation
what are the 5 sampling techniques
- volunteer
- random
- opportunity
- stratified
- systematic
what is volunteer sampling
evaluate it
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
what is opportunity sample
evaluate it
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
what is random sampling
evaluate it
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
what is systematic sampling
evaluate it
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
what is stratified sampling
evaluate it
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
what is an aim
an aim is a general statement that outlines what is being investigated, the purpose of the investigation
developed from previous theory and research
what is a hypothesis
a specific prediction about the outcome of the investigation, should be fully operationalised
what is a null hypothesis
this states no difference/correlation in the findings of the research
there will be no significant difference between….
what is an experimental hypothesis
used when an experiemntal mehtofs has been carried out and there is an IV and DV
what is an alternative hyopthesis
used in non-experimental mehtods e,g, obervations, correlations etc
what is a directional hypothesis
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…
what is a non-directional hypothesis
does not predict the direction of the results.
states there will be no different
there will be a significant difference between….
what are the ethical guidelines
- informed consent
- right to withdraw
- deception
- protection of participants
- debriefing
- confidentiality
what is informed consent
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
what is deception
when information is withheld from participants or they are misled in anyway
what is protection of participants
participants should not be harmed in any way by the investigative procedures- physically or emotionally
loss of self esteem is psychological harm
what is a debrief
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
what is right to withdraw
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
what is confidentiality
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
