Key Terms Glossary Flashcards
Aim definition
The researcher’s area of interest – what they are looking at.
Behavioural categories definition
Key behaviours or, collections of behaviour, that the researcher conducting the observation will pay attention to and record.
Case study definition
In-depth investigation of a single person, group or event, where data are gathered from a variety of sources and by using several different methods
Closed questions definition
Questions where there are fixed choices of responses e.g. yes/no. They generate quantitative data.
Covariables definition
The variables investigated in a correlation.
Concurrent validity definition
Comparing a new test with another test of the same thing to see if they produce similar results. If they do then the new test has concurrent validity.
Confidentiality definition
Unless agreed beforehand, participants have the right to expect that all data collected during a research study will remain confidential and anonymous.
Confounding variable definition
An extraneous variable that varies systematically with the IV so we cannot be sure of the true source of the change to the DV.
Content analysis definition
Technique used to analyse qualitative data which involves coding the written data into categories – converting qualitative data into quantitative data.
Control variable definition
A group that is treated normally and gives us a measure of how people behave when they are not exposed to the experimental treatment.
Controlled observation definition
An observation study where the researchers control some variables - often takes place in laboratory setting.
Correlation analysis definition
A mathematical technique where the researcher looks to see whether scores for two covariables are related.
Counterbalancing definition
A way of trying to control for order effects in a repeated measures design.
Covert observation definition
Also known as an undisclosed observation as the participants do not know their behaviour is being observed
Critical value definition
The value that a test statistic must reach in order for the hypothesis to be accepted.
Debriefing definition
After completing the research, the true aim is revealed to the participant. Aim of debriefing = to return the person to the state s/he was in before they took part.
Deception definition
Involves misleading participants about the purpose of s study.
Demand characteristics definition
Occur when participants try to make sense of the research situation they are in and try to guess the purpose of the research or try to present themselves in a good way.
Dependent variable definition
The variable that is measured to tell you the outcome.
Descriptive statistics definition
Analysis of data that helps describe, show or summarize data in a meaningful way.
Directional hypothesis definition
A one-tailed hypothesis that states the direction of the difference or relationship.
Dispersion measure definition
A dispersion measure shows how a set of data is spread out, examples are the range and the standard deviation.
What is double blind control?
Participants are not told the true purpose of the research and the experimenter is also blind to at least some aspects of the research design.
Ecological validity definition.
The extent to which the findings of a research study are able to be generalized to real-life settings.
What are ethical guidelines?
These are provided by the BPS - they are the ‘rules’ by which all psychologists should operate, including those carrying out research.
What are the 3 main ethical issues?
Deception, lack of informed consent and lack of protection of participants.
What is evaluation apprehension?
Participants’ behaviour is distorted as they fear being judged by observers.
What is event sampling?
A target behaviour is identified and the observer records it every time it occurs.
What is the experimental group?
The group that received the experimental treatment.
What are extraneous variable?
Variables that if not controlled may affect the DV and provide a false impression than an IV has produced changes when it hasn’t.
Face validity definition.
Simple way of assessing whether a test measures what it claims to measure which is concerned with face value.
Field experiment definition
An experiment that takes place in a natural setting where the experimenter manipulates the IV and measures the DV.
What is a histogram?
A graph that is used for continuous data. There should be no space between the bars, because the data is continuous.
Hypothesis definition
This is a formal statement or prediction of what the researcher expects to find. It needs to be testable.
What is an independent groups design?
An experimental design where each participants only takes part in one condition of the IV.
Independent variable definition.
The variable that the experimenter manipulates.
What are inferential statistics?
Inferential statistics are ways of analyzing data using statistical tests that allow the researcher to make conclusions about whether a hypothesis was supported by the results.
Informed consent definition
Psychologists should ensure that all participants are helped to understand fully all aspects of the research before they agree (give consent) to take part.
What is inter-observer reliability?
The extent to which two or more observers are observing and recording behaviour in the same way.
Internal validity definition
In relation to experiments, whether the results were due to the manipulation of the IV rather than other factors such as extraneous variables or demand characteristics.
What is interval level data?
Data measured in fixed units with equal distance between points on the scale.
