Chapter 1 Science Skills And Research Methods

Question 1

Define a research hypothesis

Answer 1

A hypothesis is a testable prediction. It must identify the population and the strength/direction of a relationship between two variables.

Question 2

Define independent variable

Answer 2

The variable that is directly manipulated in order to test it’s effect of the dependent variable

Question 3

Define dependent variable

Answer 3

The variable that is measured in order to test the effect of the IV

Question 4

How do you operationalize variables

Answer 4

Put in terms of HOW the variables are manipulated and measured

Question 5

How many IV’s/DV’s can be present in a study

Answer 5

many dependent variables but only ever 1 independent variable.

Question 6

Define experiment

Answer 6

An experiment is when a CAUSE and EFFECT relationship is MEASURED, by testing the effect of the IV on the DV

Question 7

Define the Independent groups design

Answer 7

Every member of the sample is randomly allocated to either the control or experimental group

Question 8

Define the matched participants design

Answer 8

Each member of the sample is paired based on a particular characteristic. Then, one member of each pair is randomly allocated to the control group. With the other member of the pair being placed in the experiential group.

Question 9

Define the repeated measures design

Answer 9

Each member of the sample is involved in both the control and experimental conditions.

Question 10

List an advantage and a limitation of the repeated measures experimental design

Answer 10

Advantage - no participant differences

Limitation - order effects

Question 11

Define population

Answer 11

The group of interest from which the sample was drawn

Question 12

Define sample

Answer 12

A subset of the population used as participants in the research

Question 13

Define convenience sampling

Answer 13

A sample is selected in the quickest and easiest way possible

Question 14

Define random sampling

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Define stratified sampling

Answer 15

Break the population into groups and select participants from each group in the same proportion that they appear in the population.

Question 16

Define extraneous variables

Answer 16

A variable that has an unwanted effect on the results and hence alters the dependent variable

Question 17

Define confounding variable

Answer 17

A variable other than the IV the has a systematic effect on the value of the DV

Question 18

Define order effects as an extraneous variable

Answer 18

An extraneous variable that occurs when the sequence of the two conditions impacts on the DV. i.e) boredom, knowledge or practise

Question 19

Define counterbalancing

Answer 19

Used to eliminate the impact of order effects on the results.
Half of the participants are exposed to the control condition and then the experimental condition, while the order of conditions for the other half is reversed.

Question 20

Define single blind procedure and explain how/why it is used

Answer 20

The participant is unaware whether they are in the control or experimental group.
Placebo - a treatment that has no known effects
– eliminates participant bias

Question 21

Define double blind procedure

Answer 21

The experimenter and the participants are unaware if they are in the control or experimental group