ㅤPsych Research Methods Flashcards
Revise
participant variable
e.v specific to the participants of an investigation
situational variable
e.v present in the environment of the study
e.v
isnt controlled, which could affect the results of the study
independent variable
manipulated directly by the reseacher
dependent variable
being measured
confounding variable
e.v that affects the results of the study so that the effect of the i.v isnt fully seen
counter balancing
cancels the order effect on d.v
randomization
eliminates the selection bias, balances the confounding variables
single blind technique
aim of the research is hidden from the participants
double blind technique
aim of the research is hidden from the researcher and participants
null hypothesis
predicts that the results will have very little/no effect
alternative hypothesis
prediction of the outcome of a study based on what is expected to happen
directional hypothesis
predicts the direction the results will go in
non-directional hypothesis
predicts that a difference will be found but doesnt specify
experimental hypothesis
used in field and lab experiments
target population
group of people that an investigation is concerned with
random sampling
target population should be identified, all with an equal chance of being selected
generalisability
extent to which the results of a study represents the whole population
stratified sampling
identifies and randomly samples individuals from the subgroups of the target population to ensure proportionate representation
volunteer sampling
gathering a sample of participants who are willing to volunteer themselves for the study
opportunity sampling
makes use of the people around at the time of the study
order effect
when participants improve/worsen in the second condition because thyre fatigued
research design
how participants are allocated to the conditions of a study
experimental design
when used in an experiment
demand characteristics
when the participants alter their behaviour in response to the perceived aims of the investigation
independent measures design
participants split into groups with each group tested in only one condition of a study
repeated measures design
same participants used in all the study conditions
reliabilty
consistency of an outcome/result of an investigation
validity
whether the test measures what was intened
internal validity
whether the measures used in a test genuinely test what they were designed to
external validity
whether the finding are generalisable to the taget population
qualitative methods
emphasis of the research is on gathering lots of detailed information
quantitative methods
enquiry starting with a hypothesis to test a theory
ethical issues
when the researcher doesnt follow rules when carrying out research to protect participants from harm
ethics (WCDDPPC)
Withdraw
Consent (parental & informed)
Deception
Debrief (after deception &/ no informed consent)
Protection from harm
Privacy (participant details)
Confidentiality (data collected)
Experiments
Lab, field & natural
interviews
designed to gather self reported info from participants
Structured, semi-structured and unstructured
questionnaire
self report technique that investigates peoples beliefs, opinions and attitudes first hand
close ended & open ended
case study
in depth investigation into one person or a group of people
correlation
looks for relationships between variables
positive & negative
BPS code of human ethics
Respect for the autonomy, privacy and dignity of individuals and communities
scientific integrity
social responsibility
maximizing benefit & minimizing harm
Respect for the autonomy, privacy and dignity of individuals and communities
researchers must respect age, ability, gender, sexuality, religion and culture.
Scientific integrity
well-designed research must be conducted, and no misleading findings should be claimed
social responsibility
beneficial findings that aid communities and organizations must be produced
Maximising benefit and minimizing harm
participants shouldn’t be placed in any situation that they wouldn’t usually encounter.
observation
simply watch and observe what people do in certain situations
naturalistic, controlled, overt, covert, participant & non-participant
Evaluation (GRAVEOS)
Generalisability
Reliability
applicability
validity
ethics
objectivity
subjectivity
