Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psychology - Research Methods > General > Flashcards

General Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards AP® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

What do psychologists mainly study on?

A

They mainly focus on the human mind and the behaviour.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the goals of research?

A
  • Describing Behaviour
  • Understand behaviour
  • Predicting Behaviour
  • Controlling Behaviour
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the difference between a theory and a hypothesis?

A
  • A theory uses certain principles and observations in order to predict / assume the cause of a certain phenomenon and future behaviour. (Ex: “All ADHD symptoms are a reaction to sugar”).
  • A hypothesis is a testable prediction / assumption which can be linked to a/the theory.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is “Reflexivity” in research

A

Reflexivity refers to the researches being consistently aware of how and why the research is being done, and whether their personal opinions are influencing the data obtained.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the “Experimental Method”?

A

This is the most popular method of experimenting, this method includes complete control and manipulation over the experiment’s situation to observe the predicted outcome.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is an “Experimental Hypothesis”?

A

This is a statement that predicts the outcome of a given situation. (Ex: ‘If a loud noise disrupts a person while studying, they can lose a lot of focus.’).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is an Independent and dependant variable?

A

An independent variable is an aspect from an experimental situation which is being controlled and manipulated by the experimenter.

A dependant variable is an aspect of behaviour which is assessed by the researcher caused by the independent variable.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Define the “Null Hypothesis”

A

This is the hypothesis which predicts that the independent variable will have no effects on the dependent variable.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Wha is the limitation to the Experimental Method?

A

A limitation to the experimental method is that there may be third-party aspects which may be affecting certain behaviours caused by the individual. Such as: Headaches, Bad childhood, Personality and Intelligence.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Define a “Confound variable”.

A

This a variable which is mistakenly manipulated along with the independent variable.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Define “Sampling”.

A

This is a term which refers to a small minority which is picked from a majority.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Define “Random Sampling”.

A

Sampling which is done randomly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Define “Quota Sampling”.

A

A type of sampling of which divides a portion of a majority into categories of characteristics. From there, a specific amount of people are chosen from each group.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Define “Opportunity Sampling”.

A

A type of sampling which on relies on the participants availability.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

State and define the 3 designs of experiments.

A

Independent Design - a design of which each group has to be used to test out a different condition. (Ex: Group 1 will be tested using loud noise, and group 2 will be tested with low noise).

Matched Participants Design - In this design, each participant is assigned to 1 specific group, in total of 2 group will be there. Each participant will be matched with another participant from the other group who has similar factors. (ex: sex and abilities).

Repeated Measures Design - In this design each participant must be tested in every condition.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

State a limitation to the “Repeated Measures Design”.

A

T participant may perform better or worse in one test than the other. For example, a participant may find it harder to deal with the second task due to them being tired.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the “Experimenter Effect”?

A

This is the idea of when the participant’s behaviour is influence due to the experimenter’s expectations.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the “Ecological Validity”?

A

This is the applicability which can be made to the real life world of experimental findings.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are “Demand Characteristics”?

A

These are cue of which participants observe to predict what the experiment’s hypothesis is.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Define “Implacable Experimenter”.

A

This is the idea of the experimenter’s state not being influenced by the participant’s behaviour.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Define “Replication”.

A

Obtaining similar results by different experimenter’s but using the same procedures and design.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

How to deal with the Replication?

A

Comparing similar analysis to come up with the average effect that the independent variable has on the dependent variable.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is a big advantage that a Field experiment has over a Laboratory experiment?

State 2 Limitations regarding to a Field experiment.

A

Advantage:

  • A field experiment is made in a more natural setting and most of the time people do not know their behaviour is being recorded, therefore the people are not influenced by the experimenter and demand characteristics.

Limitaions:

  • It is not ethically to record someone’s behaviour without their consent. (Unethically)
  • Difficult to obtain detailed information of a participant without them knowing they are being experimented on.
24
Q

Define qualitative and quantitative data

A

Quantitative data re data in for of numbers, scores or charts. (This method is usually used to TEST HYPOTHESIS)

This method is usually used in: Surveys, Correlational Studies, Structured Observations and Lab experiments

Qualitative data are data in the form of verbal reports. (This method cis usually used to UNDERSTAND AND EXPLORE AN IDEA)

This method is usually used in: Interviews, Case studies and Case Studies.

25
Q

What is an observational study? What are 2 limitations to this study?

A

This is a study which is only produced from observing people’s behaviour.

Limitations:

  • Behaviour observed may not be interpreted the same by every observer.
  • There needs to be a certain amount of attention and observation put into the scenario.
26
Q

What is “Inter-observer Reliability”?

A

This is the agreement in rating of behaviour of participants between multiple observers.

27
Q

Define the “Cross-sectional method” and the “Longitudinal method”.

A

Cross-sectional method is when 2 different groups are studied at the same time.

Longitudinal method is when a group is test multiple times in a certain amount of time.

28
Q

What advantage does the Cross-sectional method have over the Longitudinal method?

A
  • Less time-consuming
  • Less expensive
29
Q

Define “Correlation”.

A

Correlation is an association between 2 dependent variables or responses. a high correlation means that they have a lot of similarities.

30
Q

Ethicality is very important to psychological research, state 4 factors of ethicality of which the researcher must obey.

A
  • Respect : The researcher must respect the participants and their values, differences and roles in society.
  • Competence : Researchers should be aware of the limit to knowledge and experience for the experiment carried out.
  • Responsibility : Researchers should let the participants know the they are allowed to withdraw from the experiment freely.
  • Integrity : Researchers must be honest, fair and accurate in their interactions with the participants.
31
Q

What is “Cluster Sampling”?

A

A technique of which a target population is split into groups or clusters, usually based on geographical location or other natural grouping. Afterwards a random cluster of each group is chosen.

32
Q

How is a sample gathered?

A

Purposive Sampling - The researcher chooses certain individuals which meet the criteria of the experiment, this is done to get the most information out of the sample as possible.

Snowball Sampling - The researcher asks individuals which meet the experiment’s criteria to perhaps refer them to other individuals who they know who also meet the criteria.

33
Q

There are 2 types of Experimental Hypothesis, what are they?

A

The Direction Hypothesis (One-tailed Hypothesis) - This is the hypothesis of which predicts the “direction” of the relationship between the variables.

The Non-Directional Hypothesis (Two-tailed Hypothesis) - This hypothesis does not predict the “direction” of the relationship between the variables.

34
Q

What are the 2 types of confounding variables?

A
  • Participant Variables are confounding variables which are related to the participant’’s characteristics which may impact the result of the experiment. These could be: mood, intelligence and anxiety.
  • Situational Variables are confounding variables which are related to the environment.
35
Q

Define the terms “Covert” and “Overt” observations

A

Covert observation - An observation off a participant of which they do not know that they are being observed.

Overt observation - An observation off a participant of which they do know that they are being observed.

36
Q

What is the strength and weakness regarding to cover and overt observations?

A

Overt Strength - It is ethical.
Overt Weakness - Demand characteristics may interfere.

Covert Strength - Demand characteristics will not interfere
Covert Weakness - Lack of ethicality.

37
Q

Define “Participant Observation” and “Non-participant Observation”.

A

In a participant observation, the observer is when the researcher becomes involved in the day-to-day life of the participant. And may also ask for specific things to be done in order to observe.

In a non-participant observation, the observer is not getting involved in the situation they are observing, but rather they “spectate”. They also do not interfere in what is being observed.

38
Q

State a strength and a weakness regarding to participant and non-participant observations.

A

Strength of participant observations - There is depth of observation, since the observer is not being involved just once

Weakness of participant observations - The participant’s actions may be influenced due to them being observed.

Strength of non-participant observations - Remains more objective

Weakness of non-participant observations - Lack of depth in information.

39
Q

Define a Naturalistic and Controlled observation.

A

A natural observation is occurred where the target behaviour usually happens.

A controlled observation is occurred in an artificial setting, to study the behaviour in a specific circumstance.

40
Q

State a strength and weakness of naturalistic and controlled observations.

A

Strength of naturalistic observations - More natural behaviour.

Weakness of naturalistic observations - Other behaviour irrefutable to the target behaviour may interfere.

Strength of controlled observations - There will be lack of interference by other behaviours irritated to the target behaviour.

Weakness of controlled observations - The behaviour of the participant may not be natural. So it is less generalisable.

41
Q

Define “Audience Effect”.

A

This is the tendency for a participant to over exaggerate behaviour, simply because they re being observed.

42
Q

Define “structured” and “unstructured” observations.

A

Structured observations know what behaviour they must look out for. (Usually takes quantitative data)

Unstructured observations do not have a specific behaviours they’re looking for. (Usually takes qualitative data)

43
Q

What are interviews?

A

Interviews is the idea of the experimenter directly asking the participant questions (interviewing).

44
Q

Interviews are considered as a “Self-report Method”. Discuss

A

This is because the participant directly provide information about themselves and/or their experiences.

45
Q

What are some media/ways that researchers can use to conduct an interview?

A
  • Face-to-face
  • E-mail
  • Texting
  • Online
  • Post
46
Q

Interviewers can choose between ___________ and ___________ to study on. (quantity of participants)

A
  • One-on-one interview
  • Focus Group
47
Q

When interviewing a Focus Group, the interviewer is responsible for actions such as:

A
  • Saying on-topic
  • introducing discussions
  • Including every participant
  • Facilitating the group conversation
48
Q

State 2 Strengths and 2 Weaknesses of a Focus Group study.

A
  • Strengths: Inspires the researcher to expand their area of study.
    & A participant has the ability to inspire other participants to speak up on certain aspects.
  • Weaknesses: There will be effects of conformity on the participants & More dominant people may take up the conversation more than the others.
49
Q

There are 4 types of one-on-one interviews. State and define them.

A
  • Structured
    -> A set of questions are made before the interview, no questions can be removed or change their order.
  • Semi-structured
    -> Researcher prepares a flexible framework of what needs to be discussed before the interview.
  • Unstructured
    -> There is no set of questions, but rather the interviewer is more free to ask questions.
  • Narrative
    -> No questions are asked by the interviewer, but rather, the participants are asked to discuss and talk about the topic.
50
Q

Mention 2 Strengths and 2 Weaknesses of an interview.

A

Strengths: Allows the participant to go deep within a topic; May introduce new aspects of which the researcher never thought about.

Weaknesses: Fear to share with the interviewer; Conformity may take place.

51
Q

Define Open and Closed Questions.

A

Open Questions - Questions which take up more than a limited amount of responses, such as ‘yes’ and ‘no’.

Closed Questions - Questions which only include a limited amount of questions, such as ‘yes’ and ‘no’.

52
Q

Other than open and closed question, there are 3 other types of questions, state and define them:

A

Descriptive Questions - Questions of which the interviewer asks to encourage the participant to describe a situation / context

Structural Questions - Questions of which the interviewer asks to give meaning to identify certain concepts.

Contrast Questions - Questions which are asked by the interviewer of which encourages the participant to state the differences between certain concepts, idea or meanings.

53
Q

What are “Postmodern Transcription Techniques”?

A

These are ways which are used to record interviews for later evaluation / viewing.

54
Q

What are the 4 requirements of “Debriefing”?

A

Informing the participant of:
- what will happen with the notes taken during the interview.
- who will be able to view the recording of the interview
- when will feedback regarding to the interview be sent to them
- confirming whether the participant agrees and is okay with the following statements.

This should ALWAYS be done.

55
Q

Define “Thematic Data Analysis” (“Inductive Content Analysis”)

A

The technique of which the interviewer finds patterns of meanings or themes in an interview.

56
Q

What are the ethical principles of research?

A
  • Gain informed consent
  • Avoid deception
  • Cause no physical/psychological harm
  • The right to confidentiality
  • The right to withdraw
  • The right to privacy

Psychology - Research Methods (1 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions