Paper 2- Research Methods Part 1 Flashcards
What is an aim ?
A general statement describing what the study intends to investigate
What is a experimental hypothesis?
This is a normal hypothesis
Which is a testable statement used in an experiment to predict what will happen on an investigation
What are the types of hypothesis?
Null
Directional
Non directional
What is a directional hypothesis ?
A more precious hypothesis that specifically states the direction of the results
One tailed
What Is a non-directional hypothesis?
Where the direction or the results is not predicted.
Two tailed A’s results could go in either way
What is a null hypothesis?
It predicts that there will be no difference in results
What is a variable ?
A measurable characteristic that can differ or change from one observation to another
What is an independent variable ?
A variable that is manipulated during and investigation
What is an dependent variable ?
Something that is measured following the manipulation of the IV
Who are the target population ?
The people who psychologists need to identify by who they are interested in investigating.
What are the types of sampling ?
Opportunity
Random
Stratified
Systematic
Volunteer
What is sampling biased and when does it occur?
Occurs where the sample is dominated by a particular sub group in the target population
What is opportunity sampling?
Where the psychologist picks people who are easily available
What are the strengths of opportunity sampling ?
It’s convenient
It’s quick
What are the limitations of opportunity sampling ?
Research bias may occur
Certain groups of similar people may participate
What is random sampling ?
Peoples names are placed onto a database or into a hat and they are randomly chosen
What are the strengths of random sampling ?
No research bias
Sample is fairly representative
What are the limitations of random sampling ?
Difficult to achieve
What is stratified sampling ?
People are randomly selected from different subgroups within the population
What are the advantages of stratified sampling ?
Gives representative sample
Selection is unbiased
What are the disadvantages of stratified sampling ?
Difficult to identify sub groups
Time consuming
You may forget groups
What is systematic sampling ?
Every nth member of the target population is selected
What is the strength of systematic sampling ?
No research bias
What is the limitation of systematic sample ?
May no represent
What is volunteer sampling ?
Where participants volunteer to take part in the research, the researchers advertises and people respond
What are the strengths of volunteer sampling ?
No research bias
Takes little effort to get samples
People volunteer so less chance of sabotage
What are the limitations of volunteer sampling ?
May not be representative as a certain group may volunteer
Demand characteristics
What are pilot studies ?
Small scale practice investigations carried out prior to the research to identify potential problems
