Paper 0 - Research Methods Flashcards
Types of experiments
Lab, field, natural, quasi
Evaluate a lab experiment
\+High internal validity \+High reliability -Low ecological validity -Artificial -Participants are aware of experiment, demand characteristics
Evaluate a field experiment
+High ecological validity
+Less artificial
-Low external replicability
-Low internal validity
Evaluate a natural experiment
-Low internal validity \+High ecological validity -Low reliability \+Can study ethically ambiguous things -Difficult to generalise
Evaluate a quasi experiment
\+IV doesn't vary \+Easy to compare \+Can be carried out in a lab -Only casual conclusions can be drawn -Lack of random allocation
What’s an extraneous variable
Variables that affect the DV and can be controlled
What’s a confounding variable
Variables that affect the DV that aren’t controlled
What is a H0 hypothesis
Null hypothesis, IV will not affect DV
What is a H1 hypothesis
Experimental hypothesis, IV will affect the DV
What is a directional hypothesis
Predicts a difference and the direction of the effect
What is a non-directional hypothesis
Predicts a difference but not a direction
What is external validity
How it can be generalised
Ecological- other settings
Population- other people
Historical- over time
What is internal validity
How clearly the IV affects the DV
How can validity be checked
Face validity- whether the test appears to measure what it claims
Concurrent validity- testing against another test that is valid
How can validity be improved in research
- Double blind technique
- Standardised instructions
- Operational definitions of observed variables
What is internal reliability
Consistency of results within a test
What is external reliability
How consistent the results are when performed by other researchers
How can reliability be assessed
Test-retest
Inter observer
How can reliability be improved
Training observers
Ensuring behaviour categories are objectively operationalised
What are empirical methods
Using observation/testing to gain knowledge
What is objectivity
Measurement not affected by researchers expectations
What is falsifiability
Possibility that the hypothesis could be false
What is peer review
Subjecting a piece of research to the scrutiny of others who are experts in the field
Usually used for funding
What is content analysis
Qualitative data to quantitive data
Creating coding units and tallying how many times they appear
Evaluate content analysis
\+detailed and in-depth analysis \+easy to compare \+can be placed in a graph -Time consuming -Might miss valuable information -Subjective categories
What is thematic analysis
Simplifying long form content into shorter forms
How would you conduct a thematic analysis
- Familiarising with data
- Generating initial codes
- Searching for themes
- Reviewing themes
- Defining the naming themes
- Producing the report
What is replicability
Study will produce the same results if repeated
What is a paradigm
Shares set of assumptions about a subject
What is a paradigm shift
A new theory upsets the previous paradigm
What are the key features of a science
- Empirical evidence
- Objectivity
- Control
- Hypothesis testing
- Replication
- Predictability
What is a deductive reasoning
Theory -> research
What is inductive reasoning
Research -> theory
What is concurrent validity in research
How well a test corresponds with a validated test
What is predictive validity
How far a test can predict outcomes
Write a conclusion
As the calculated value is (provided) is (bigger/less) than the critical value (table) at a sig level of p=<0.05 for N= (pp), we can accept the (alternate/null) hypothesis and it can be concluded (statement provided)
What is a one tailed test?
Directional hypothesis which predicts the effect of the IV on the DV
What is a two tailed test?
Non directional hypothesis which predicts IV will affect DV but not how
