Chapter 1 - Research Methods In Psychology

Question 1

Independent Variable (IV)

Answer 1

Deliberately manipulated or varied some way by the experimenter. This is planned before the experiment begins.

Question 2

Dependent Variable (DV)

Answer 2

The property that is measured in the research. Its value depends on the IV. The DV is therefore the property tat the researcher believes will change as a result of changes in the value of the IV.

Question 3

Operationalisation

Answer 3

Operationalisation of a variable means that it is stated in terms hat show how it is measured. For example:
− Age: Operationalised as age in total months.
− IQ: Operationalised as the score on a 40-item multiple-choice test.
− Aggression: Operationalised as the number of aggressive responses in an observed 30-minute period.

Question 4

Extraneous Variable

Answer 4

A variable other than (extraneous to) the IV that could cause changes in the value of the DV. Extraneous variables are undesirable. When the potential effects of an extraneous variable have been removed from the experiment, the variable is said to be a controlled variable.

Question 5

Confounding Variable

Answer 5

A variable other than the IV that has a systematic effect on the value of the DV (t acts like a second, unwanted, IV). If a confounding variable exists, no valid conclusion can be drawn.

Question 6

Population

Answer 6

The group about which we wish to draw conclusions is referred to as the population.

Question 7

Sample

Answer 7

Refers to the members of the population that have been chosen to take part in the research.

Question 8

Random Sampling

Answer 8

A sampling procedure in which every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Question 9

Placebo Effect

Answer 9

Refers to the participants’ behaviour being influenced by their expectations of how they should behave, caused by the belief that they have received some treatment.

Question 10

Qualitative Data

Answer 10

Refers to the descriptions of the characteristics of what is being studied. In psychological research this could be:
− Emotional State: Happy/sad/angry, etc.
− Difficulty Of Task: Easy/moderate/difficult/very difficult

Question 11

Quantitative Data

Answer 11

Refers to measurements: numerical information about the variables being studied. Most psychological testing aims to gather quantitative data because we can perform statistical procedures on these and, provided the data are accurate and precise, we can determine whether our results are significant and our hypothesis can be supported.

Question 12

Subjective Data

Answer 12

Are based on opinion and there is no external yardstick by which they are measured.

Question 13

Objective Data

Answer 13

Are measured according to an identifiable external criterion. Each person using an objective measure correctly will obtain the same result.

Question 14

Reliability

Answer 14

Refers to the extent to which a measure could be expected to produce the same result with the same subjects under the same conditions on other occasions.

Question 15

Validity

Answer 15

Refers to the extent to which an instrument measures what it is supposed to measure.

Question 16

Mean

Answer 16

The average of all the scores, calculated by adding up all the scores and dividing that total by the number of scores.

Question 17

Median

Answer 17

The score exactly halfway between the lowest and the highest score.

Question 18

Mode

Answer 18

The most commonly occurring score in the dataset.

Question 19

Range

Answer 19

The range is the difference between the highest score and the lowest score in the dataset.

Question 20

Conclusion

Answer 20

A conclusion is the final decision about what the results indicate. This conclusion must be stated in terms of the original hypothesis. So a conclusion would be that the hypothesis is supported, is partially supported or not supported.

Question 21

Generalisation

Answer 21

A judgement about the extent to which the research findings can be applied to the population represented by the sample.

Question 22

Correlation

Answer 22

A statistical measure of how much two variables are related. A correlation does not show a cause and effect relationship; it simply describes how they vary in relation to each other.

Question 23

Positive Correlation

Answer 23

When two variables change in the same direction: that is, as one increases so does the other; as one decreases so does the other. E.g. Positive correlation between hours spent studying each week and study scores in VCE.

Question 24

Negative Correlation

Answer 24

When two variables change in the opposite direction: that is, as one increases the other decreases. E.g. Negative correlation between hours spent online and study scores in VCE.

Question 25

Scatter Diagram

Answer 25

A scatter diagram shows the values of the two variables for each participant in the sample by representing the intersection of those two values with a dot on a graph.

Question 26

Role Of The Experimenter

Answer 26

The researcher must always act in a professional 
manner, making sure that the best interests of the participants, and of society in 
general, are met.

Question 27

Participant Rights

Answer 27

Researchers must always maintain 
respect for the participants. Participants’ rights include those listed below.

Question 28

Confidentiality

Answer 28

This means that participants must not be identified 
in any way in terms of test results, their involvement in the study or any other confidential data. Data needs to be stored and disposed of using secure procedures. The means by which confidentiality is to be established and maintained should be described to the participants at the beginning of the study.

Question 29

Voluntary Participation

Answer 29

Participants have the right to refuse to take part in a study. There must not be any pressure to take part in a study, nor should they be tricked into taking part by deception.

Question 30

Withdrawal Rights

Answer 30

Participants have the right to leave a study at any stage, regardless of the possible effects on the results. They also have the right to withdraw their results after the study has been completed. This must be explained to the participants before beginning the study.

Question 31

Informed Consent

Answer 31

Participants must be given information about a study before they agree to take part. For participants who are either too young or too intellectually disabled to give their consent, their guardian must be given the information before giving consent on their behalf.

Question 32

Deception

Answer 32

This is only permitted if the results would be confounded if the participants had much information before taking part in the study. The researcher must ensure that participants do not unexpectedly suffer distress; the study must be stopped immediately if this occurs. Participants must be debriefed when the study is complete.

Question 33

Debriefing

Answer 33

Debriefing takes place after completion of the study and participants are told the results and conclusions of the study. Any erroneous beliefs about the study are corrected, especially if there was any deception involved. Participants are informed of the availability of counseling if they feel the need.