Exam 1 Flashcards
Replicability
The studies can be replicated, finding the same thing, showing reliability
Empirical methods
Collecting evidence through observation and experience
Objectivity
Reducing bias so the results are not influenced or distorted
Falsifiabiliyy
A theory is scientific if it can be either proved correct or proved incorrect
Theory construction
Creating a principle or set of laws to explain events or behaviours
Hypothesis testing
Making a prediction on a theory and testing it
Paradigm
A set of assumptions and methods within a science
Null hypothesis
The statement of no difference, correlation association between variables bearing studies
Reliability
The quality of being trustworthy, dependable or consistent
Validity
The extent to which something is true or real
Internal validity
How a study was conducted to create a correlation between the actions of the study and the outcome
External validity
How the outcome of a study can apply in other settings
Learning theory
A set of theories from the behaviouristic approach that emphasises learning in the acquisition of behaviour
Classical conditioning
Learning to associate two stimuli with each other, so that we respond the same way to one as we do the other
Operant conditioning
Learning from consequences of behaviour. Behaviour s reinforced by its consequences. If negative behaviour shown, punishment will reduce the chance of the behaviour reocurring
Experiment
Involves manipulating the IV to record the effect on the DV
Aim
a general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate
Independent variable
An aspect of the experiment that is changed by the researcher or changes naturally so the effect on the DV can be measured
Dependent variable
The variable that is measured by the researcher
Hypothesis
A clear testable statement stating the relationship between the variable to be investigated
Operationalisation
Clearing defining variable in terms of how they are measured
Non-directional hypothesis
Does not state the direction of the difference
Directional hypothesis
States the direction of the difference
Correlations
When you can’t manipulate an IV to change the DV, instead you are investigating a correlation
Extraneous variable
Any variable, other than the independent variable, that may affect the dependent variable if its not controlled
Confounding variable
En EV where a confounding variable varies systematically with the IV. Therefore we can’t tell if any change in DV is due to the IV or the confounding variable
Demand characteristics
Any cue from the researcher or from the research situation that may be interpreted by participants as revealing the purpose of an investigation
Investigator effects
Any effect of the investigators behaviour on the research outcome
Randomisation
Used to minimise the effects of some extraneous variables
Attrition
When people drop of a study
Standardisation
Using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants in area search study
Randomisation
The use of chance methods to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of experimental conditions
Counter balancing
An attempt to contro the effects of order in repeated measures design
Half the participants experience the conditions in one order, and the other half in the opposite order
Random allocation
An attempt to control variable in an independent groups design which ensures that each participant has the same chance of being in one condition as any other
Matched pairs design
Pairs of participants matched on some variable that may effect the dependent variable.
Then, one member from each pair is assigned to a different condition from the experiment
What does matched pairs attempt to do?
Control the confounding variable of participant variables
Repeated measures
All participants take part in all conditions of the experiment
Experimental design
The different ways the participants can be organised in relation to the experimental conditions
Independent groups
Participant are allocated to different groups where each group represents one experimental condition
Lab experiment
An experiment that takes place in a controlled environment where the researcher manipulates the ic and record the effect on the DV
Field experiment
An experiment that takes place in a natural setting where the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect it has on the DV
Natural experiment
An experiment where the changes in the IV is not set by the researcher, and would happen even without the researcher. They record the effects of the DV
Quasi-experiment
A study that is almost an experiment but the IV
What are the strengths of laboratory experiments?
High control over confounding and extraneous variables so the researchers can be sure that the IV caused the effect on the DV
Because of the high level of control lab experiments on more replicable than other experiments
What are the limitations of lab experiments
The lack generalisability, And are artificial also have low external validity
Participants may show a natural behaviour when they know they’re being tested
the tasks carried out like mundane realism
What are the strengths of field experiments?
Hi mundane realism therefore higher external validity
What are the limitations of field experiments
Less control of CVs and EVs
there are ethical issues if participants do not know they’re being studied because they cannot consent and the study would be an invasion of privacy
What are the strengths of natural experiments
High external validity
What are the limitations of natural experiments
Naturally occurring events may only happen rarely reducing research opportunities and limiting generalisation
