Experimental Methods + Research Issues Flashcards
What is research
The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusion
What is method
A particular procedure for completing or approaching something, especially a systematic or established one.
What is an aim
A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate
i.e. purpose of the study
What is a hypothesis
A clear, precise, testable statement that states the relationship between the variables being investigated stated at the start of study
What is a null hypothesis
States that there is no relationship between the two variables being studied (one variable does not affect the other).
I.e. There is no relationship between drinking energy drinks
and talkativeness.
What is an alternative hypothesis
States that there is a relationship between the two variables being studied (one variable has an effect on the other).
I.e. There is a relationship between drinking energy drinks and talkativeness
What is a directional hypothesis? (one-tailed)
give an example
States the direction of the difference or relationship
E.g. people who drink water are less talkative than those who drink energy drinks
What is a non-directional hypothesis? (two-tailed)
give an example
States that there is a difference but does not state the direction of the difference
E.g. people who drink energy drinks differ in talkativeness compared with people who don’t
What is independent variable?
is what we change/ is manipulated by the researcher
What is dependent variable
how the researcher measures the change.
What is operationalisations?
clearly defining key variables in terms of how they can be measure
What are extraneous variables? examples
Any variable other than the IV that may have an effect on the DV, if it is not controlled
e.g. age, personality, noise
What are confounding variables?
When an extraneous variable has not been properly controlled and interferes with the result
What are demand characteristics?
Any cue from the researcher or from the research situation that may be interpreted by participants as revealing aims of an investigation
p’s change behaviour within research situation
What are investigator effects? give examples
Any effect of the investigators behaviour (conscious or unconscious) on the DV includes interactions, design of study
-e.g. leading questions, instructions , demeanour
What is randomisation?
The use of chance methods to control for the effects of bias by researcher when designing an investigation
What is standardisation?
When the same formalised procedures and instructions are used for all participants
How to write a set of standardized instructions?
1) include what participants have to do clearly explained
2) make up realistic times for task if not said in Q
3) give the same info to each p
3) ethics not really needed
4) ask if they have any questions
What is a single blind procedure
Participants are not told the true purpose of the research, as well as other details of the study.
What is a double blind procedure
Neither the participants or the researcher who conducts the study are aware of the aims of the investigation
