Glossary - ALL terms

Question 1

Likert rating scale

Answer 1

This is a type of question that measures the attitude of individuals. An attitude statement is given and individuals have to select the statement most suited to them. This is normally on a five point scale ranging from ‘Strongly agree’, ‘Mildly agree’, ‘neither agree nor disagree”, “Mildly disagree’ to ‘Strongly disagree’.

Question 2

Descriptive statistics

Answer 2

These are a method of summarising data from research to provide an overview of the findings.

Question 3

Histograms

Answer 3

This a graph that represents frequency where the data is continuous, such as the grades achieved in an exam or times a race was completed in.

Question 4

Type 1 error

Answer 4

This error occurs when you incorrectly reject the null hypothesis and suggest there is an effect. This is also known as the false positive.

Question 5

Type 2 error

Answer 5

This error occurs when you incorrectly accept the null hypothesis when there is actually a significant effect. This is also known as the false negative.

Question 6

Representativeness

Answer 6

This refers to the extent to which the sample in research can reflect the characteristics and behaviour of the target population or of the behaviour in everyday life.

Question 7

Single blind

Answer 7

A single blind experimental procedure ensures that participants are unaware of the levels of the IV in which they are performing (the conditions).

This helps to reduce the effect of demand characteristics.

Question 8

Double blind

Answer 8

A double blind experimental procedure protects against both demand characteristics and experimental bias. It ensures that neither the researcher working with the participants nor the participants themselves are aware of which condition an individual is in.

Question 9

Pilot study

Answer 9

A pilot study is a small-scale trial run of a method to identify any practical or ethical problems and resolve them.