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Psychology - Research methods > Complete glossary > Flashcards

Complete glossary Flashcards

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1
Q

Case study

A

A rich, detailed study of one person or group. Often lacks population validity.

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2
Q

Content analysis

A

The use of themes or categories to turn qualitative data into quantitative data which allows for easier analysis.

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3
Q

Control

A

Minimisation of extraneous variables causing an impact on the dependent variable.

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4
Q

Controlled observation

A

An observation with lots of control, often using pre-defined categories.

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5
Q

Correlational analysis

A

The measuring of the relationship between to variables without manipulating either of them.

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6
Q

Correlation coefficient

A

The extent to which two variables share a relationship.

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7
Q

Counterbalancing

A

When one half of the group of participants completes the conditions opposite to the other half to prevent order effects.

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8
Q

Covert observation

A

An observation where the participants don’t know that they’re being observed.

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9
Q

Demand characteristics

A

The change of behaviour of participants due to knowledge that they’re in a study.

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10
Q

Ecological validity

A

The extent to which we can generalise the results to the real world.

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11
Q

Event sampling

A

The recording of an event every time it happens.

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12
Q

External validity

A

The extent to which the results can be generalised to either other people or to real life.

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13
Q

Extraneous variable

A

Variables controlled to make the experiment a fair test.

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14
Q

Field study

A

A study which takes place in a real/ natural setting where the independent variable is manipulated.

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15
Q

Independent groups design

A

A design where different participants complete different conditions of the independent variable.

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16
Q

Internal validity

A

The extent to which the test is really measuring what it sets out to measure.

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17
Q

Inter-rater reliability

A

Consistency of results between the observers.

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18
Q

Interval date

A

Numerical data which has strict intervals

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19
Q

Investigator effects

A

When the researcher influences the results or the behaviour of the participants

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20
Q

Lab study

A

A study in an artificial surrounding, which has control over the independent variable.

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21
Q

Matched pairs design

A

A design where different participants are matches so they are similar, however they complete different independent variables.

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22
Q

Meta-analysis

A

A way of drawing all the data from studies in a topic area together to form overall conclusions.

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23
Q

Non-participant observation

A

An observational study where the researcher is not involved to reduce bias.

24
Q

Normal distrubution

A

For a given attribute, most scores lie close to the mean, with significantly higher and lower scores being less likely.

25
Q

Operationalising variables

A

Precisely defining variables which can be manipulated or measured.

26
Q

Opportunity sampling

A

Sampling done by choosing the people you have available. (biased)

27
Q

Order effects

A

A limitation of repeated measures design where participants either gain practice or become tired by repeating the test.

28
Q

Ordinal data

A

Numerical data which can be ranked in order

29
Q

Participant observation

A

An observation study where the experimenter is involved.

30
Q

Pilot study

A

A small-scale study used to test if there are any methodological or ethical issues with the experiment.

31
Q

Population validity

A

The extent to which the results of a test can be generalised to other people.

32
Q

QuaLitative data

A

Non-numerical, rich in detail

33
Q

QuaNtitative data

A

Numerical data

34
Q

Quasi study

A

A study in which the independent variable alters without the researchers intervention.

35
Q

Questionnaires

A

A self-report method of collecting both qualitative and quantitative data.

36
Q

Paradigm shift

A

Revolutionary changes in scientific assumptions

37
Q

Peer review

A

Scrutiny by experts of research papers to determine scientific validity and importance.

38
Q

Primary data

A

Data collected specifically towards a research aim, which has not been published before.

39
Q

Random sampling

A

Sampling where each member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected.

40
Q

Repeated measures design

A

A design where the same participants complete the different conditions of the independent variable.

41
Q

The ‘screw you’ effect.

A

When the participants guess the aim of the experiment and act in the opposite fashion to disrupt the experiment.

42
Q

Secondary data

A

Data originally collected towards another aim which has been published before.

43
Q

Semi-structured interview

A

An interview which has some set questions but allows for follow-up questions to gain rich data.

44
Q

Sign thest

A

A non-parametric statistical test used for experiments where data is nominal and a repeated measures design can be used.

45
Q

Skewed distribution

A

For some attributed, a really high set of scores or a really low set of scores may lead to a skewed distribution where the curve is not symmetrical

46
Q

Social desirability bias

A

When participants change their behaviour to appear more desirable.

47
Q

Split-half reliablity

A

Consistency of items in a questionnaire.

48
Q

Standard deviation

A

Measure of diversion which shows the average amount that the scores differ from the mean.

49
Q

Standardised instructions.

A

All instructions are written exactly the same so the experiment is fair.

50
Q

Stratified sampling

A

A sampling method where the final sample will have the same proportion of certain characteristics or attributes as the target population

51
Q

Systematic sampling

A

A sample technique where the participants are picked in an ordered fashion.

52
Q

Time sampling

A

A sample technique where the researcher records an event/behaviour every interval of time.

53
Q

Unstructured interview

A

An interview with no pre-planned, structured questions.

54
Q

Validity

A

The extent to which one is truly testing what they are set out to test.

55
Q

Volunteer sampling

A

Sampling using volunteers. Often students, elderly and unemployed - unrepresentative sample.

Psychology - Research methods (5 decks)

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