Complete glossary Flashcards
Case study
A rich, detailed study of one person or group. Often lacks population validity.
Content analysis
The use of themes or categories to turn qualitative data into quantitative data which allows for easier analysis.
Control
Minimisation of extraneous variables causing an impact on the dependent variable.
Controlled observation
An observation with lots of control, often using pre-defined categories.
Correlational analysis
The measuring of the relationship between to variables without manipulating either of them.
Correlation coefficient
The extent to which two variables share a relationship.
Counterbalancing
When one half of the group of participants completes the conditions opposite to the other half to prevent order effects.
Covert observation
An observation where the participants don’t know that they’re being observed.
Demand characteristics
The change of behaviour of participants due to knowledge that they’re in a study.
Ecological validity
The extent to which we can generalise the results to the real world.
Event sampling
The recording of an event every time it happens.
External validity
The extent to which the results can be generalised to either other people or to real life.
Extraneous variable
Variables controlled to make the experiment a fair test.
Field study
A study which takes place in a real/ natural setting where the independent variable is manipulated.
Independent groups design
A design where different participants complete different conditions of the independent variable.
Internal validity
The extent to which the test is really measuring what it sets out to measure.
Inter-rater reliability
Consistency of results between the observers.
Interval date
Numerical data which has strict intervals
Investigator effects
When the researcher influences the results or the behaviour of the participants
Lab study
A study in an artificial surrounding, which has control over the independent variable.
Matched pairs design
A design where different participants are matches so they are similar, however they complete different independent variables.
Meta-analysis
A way of drawing all the data from studies in a topic area together to form overall conclusions.
Non-participant observation
An observational study where the researcher is not involved to reduce bias.
Normal distrubution
For a given attribute, most scores lie close to the mean, with significantly higher and lower scores being less likely.
Operationalising variables
Precisely defining variables which can be manipulated or measured.
Opportunity sampling
Sampling done by choosing the people you have available. (biased)
Order effects
A limitation of repeated measures design where participants either gain practice or become tired by repeating the test.
Ordinal data
Numerical data which can be ranked in order
Participant observation
An observation study where the experimenter is involved.
Pilot study
A small-scale study used to test if there are any methodological or ethical issues with the experiment.
Population validity
The extent to which the results of a test can be generalised to other people.
QuaLitative data
Non-numerical, rich in detail
QuaNtitative data
Numerical data
Quasi study
A study in which the independent variable alters without the researchers intervention.
Questionnaires
A self-report method of collecting both qualitative and quantitative data.
Paradigm shift
Revolutionary changes in scientific assumptions
Peer review
Scrutiny by experts of research papers to determine scientific validity and importance.
Primary data
Data collected specifically towards a research aim, which has not been published before.
Random sampling
Sampling where each member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected.
Repeated measures design
A design where the same participants complete the different conditions of the independent variable.
The ‘screw you’ effect.
When the participants guess the aim of the experiment and act in the opposite fashion to disrupt the experiment.
Secondary data
Data originally collected towards another aim which has been published before.
Semi-structured interview
An interview which has some set questions but allows for follow-up questions to gain rich data.
Sign thest
A non-parametric statistical test used for experiments where data is nominal and a repeated measures design can be used.
Skewed distribution
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
Social desirability bias
When participants change their behaviour to appear more desirable.
Split-half reliablity
Consistency of items in a questionnaire.
Standard deviation
Measure of diversion which shows the average amount that the scores differ from the mean.
Standardised instructions.
All instructions are written exactly the same so the experiment is fair.
Stratified sampling
A sampling method where the final sample will have the same proportion of certain characteristics or attributes as the target population
Systematic sampling
A sample technique where the participants are picked in an ordered fashion.
Time sampling
A sample technique where the researcher records an event/behaviour every interval of time.
Unstructured interview
An interview with no pre-planned, structured questions.
Validity
The extent to which one is truly testing what they are set out to test.
Volunteer sampling
Sampling using volunteers. Often students, elderly and unemployed - unrepresentative sample.
