Paper 2- Research Methods Flashcards
Define an ‘aim’:
An Aim is a general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate, the purpose of the study
Define ‘Hypothesis’:
A hypothesis is a clear, precise, testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated. It is stated at the outset of every study.
Define ‘Directional Hypothesis’:
Direction Hypothesis:
States the direction of the difference or relationship, (one-tailed)(more or less?)
Define ‘Non-directional Hypothesis’:
Non-directional Hypothesis:
Does not state the direction of the difference or relationship (two-tailed)
(there will be a difference in people who drink coke to people who drink vodka)
What is an IV (independent variable)?
An IV is some aspect of experimental situation that is manipulated by researcher (or changes naturally).
The change of IV allows DV to be measured.
What is a DV (dependent variable)?
The DV is a variable that is being measured by researcher. An effect on the DV should be caused by change in IV.
When do you use a directional or non-directional hypothesis?
A directional hypothesis is used when a theory or findings of previous research suggest a particular outcome.
A non-directional hypothesis is used when there is no previous research or findings from earlier studies are contradictory.
What is an extraneous variable (EV)?
An EV is any variable other than IV that may affect the DV if it is not controlled.
What are confounding variables?
Confounding Variables are a kind of EV that vary systematically with IV. Therefore, we cannot tell if any change in DV is due to IV or confounding variable.
E.g. varying emotions with IV.
What are demand characteristics?
Demand characteristics are any cue from researcher or research situation that may be interpreted by PPs as revealing intentions of the study.
This may lead to change in PP behaviour within research situation.
What are Investigator Effects?
Investigator Effects are any effect of investigator’s behaviour (conscious or unconscious) on research outcome (DV). May include the design of study to selection of (and interaction with) PP during research process.
E.g. when expecting a certain result, investigator may stimulate certain response to favour their hypothesis
What is ‘randomisation’ in experiments?
Randomisation is the use of chance methods to control for effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of experimental conditions.
What is ‘standardisation’?
Standardisation is using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all PPs in research study.
What is independent groups design?
PPs are allocated to different groups where each group represents one experimental condition.
1 group does condition A, drinking coke,
1 group does condition B, drinking vodka
What is repeated measures design?
All PPs take part in all conditions of expt.
Each PP would do condition A, drink coke, AND condition B, drink vodka.
What is matched pairs design?
Pairs of PPs are matched on some variable(s) that may affect the DV. Then 1 member of pair is assigned to condition A and the other is assigned to condition B.
Attempts to control confounding variable of participant variables (individual differences that may affect results)
What is random allocation?
An attempt to control for PP variables in independent group design which ensures the each PP has same chance of being in one condition as any other.
What is counterbalancing?
An attempt to control effects of order in repeated measures design. Half of PPs experience condition A first then condition B, and half PPs experience condition B first then condition A.
Evaluate Independent groups design:
- Negative: PP variables: individual differences between two groups in the two conditions. If there is a mean difference between the groups on DV, may be to do with PP variables rather than effects of IV (= confounding variable). Reduces validity of findings. How to deal? Use Random Allocation.
- Negative: More expensive than repeated measures as twice as many PPs needed to contribute the same number of results. Increasing time/money spent recruiting PPs.
- Positive: order effects not a problem (which is a problem for repeated measure design).
- PPs also less likely to guess aim of expt (less demand char.)
Evaluate Repeated Measures Design:
- Negative: each PP has to do at least 2 tasks and order of these tasks may be significant (order effects).
- Use of counterbalancing may help reduce order effects.
- Order effects may also arise due to boredom/fatigue, might cause deterioration in performance on second task. OR PP performance may improve in terms of practise (in skill-based task). Therefore, order is a confounding variable.
- More likely in repeated measures study that PP work out aim of study = demand characteristics.
- Strength?? PP variables are controlled (therefore higher validity) and fewer PPs needed (time+cost effective!!)
Evaluate Matched Pairs design:
- PPs only take part in single condition so order effects and demand characteristics are less of a problem
- Although there is some attempt to reduce PP variables, PPs can never be matched exactly (even identical twins!)
- Matching may be time-consuming and expensive (especially if pre-test required).
- Less economical than other designs.
What is a lab experiment?
A lab experiment takes place in a controlled environment where the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on DV, whilst maintaining strict control of EVs.
What is a field experiment?
A field experiment takes place in natural setting within which researcher manipulates IV and records effect on DV.
What is a natural experiment?
A natural experiment is where the change in IV is not brought about by researcher but would have happened even if researcher had not been there (e.g. PP was in car crash few months ago). Researcher records effect on DV. PPs may still be tested in a lab as only IV has to be natural, not necessarily the setting.