Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

A-Levels > Psychology research methods > Flashcards

Psychology research methods Flashcards

1
Q

What is a directional hypothesis?

A

States the direction of the results i.e. more/less or higher/lower.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a non-directional hypothesis?

A

Simply says that there will be a difference

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a null hypothesis?

A

says that there will be no difference

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is needed to design a hypothesis?

A

-Aim
-IV and DV
-Experimental
-Null hypothesis
-Decide on sample
-experimental design
-Procedure
-What controls will be in place

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are two strengths and one weakness of a case study?

A

+Can be used to gather data that cant be obtained by other means
+Internal and External validity
-Hard to replicate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is a correlation?

A

Where one variable could cause another i.e. Watching violent films/ violent behaviour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is a positive correlation?

A

As one variable increases, the other increases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a negative correlation?

A

As one variable increases, the other decreases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is a scatter graph?

A

Shows the correlation between two data sets by plotting dots to represent each pair of scores

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the correlation coefficient?

A

The number between 1 and -1 that indicates how strong the correlation is

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are two evaluation points of correlations?

A

+they are useful for studying potentially unethical topics
-It can not establish cause and effect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a demand characteristic?

A

Where participants pick up a cue and modify their behaviour affecting the results of the study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the controls for demand characteristics?

A
  1. Deception
  2. Single bind - The P is unaware which condition there in
  3. Investigator effects - Potential cues from the experimenter that happen subconsciously
  4. Double bind - neither researcher or P know which condition they are in
  5. Inter-rater reliability - Independent raters rate same behaviour as researcher
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Why are descriptive statistics important?

A

If they are wrong, its likely that the conclusion of the whole experiment is wrong too

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the four different types of experimental methods?

A

Lab, field, natural and quasi

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are 5 different types of data?

A

Primary
Secondary
Qualitative
Quantitative
Interval

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are four types of observation?

A

Overt
Covert
Participant
Controlled

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are the three levels of measurement?

A

Interval
Nominal
Ordinal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the purpose of an extract?

A

To provide the reader with a quick overview of the research

20
Q

What type of questions would gather qualitative data?

A

Open

21
Q

What are the three measures of central tendancys?

A

Mean,Median and Mode

22
Q

What are the two measures of Dispersion?

A

Range and statistical deviation

23
Q

What is a field experiment?

A

manipulation of the independent variable that is natural to the Ps

24
Q

What is a Quasi experiment?

A

The researcher is unable to allocate Ps to the different experimental conditions as these characteristics are already associated with the P i.e. Gender or Age

25
Q

What is the difference between P and non-P observation?

A

In a P observation, the researcher joins the group being study. Vise versa

26
Q

What is the difference between time and event sampling?

A

Time sampling: Researcher recalls all relevant behaviours e.g. everything for 15 seconds.
Event sampling: Tallies every time a behaviour occurs from the list of behavioural catagories

27
Q

How are observations assessed for reliability?

A

rater reliability: Two or more researchers observe same observation and compare the two results

28
Q

What is a self-report technique?

A

A participent gives information to the researcher om their own feelings/ thoughts/ behaviour.

29
Q

What is a structured interview?

A

The interviewer reads out a list of prepared questions as they are written

30
Q

What is an unstructured interview:

A

No setlist of topic

31
Q

What is the difference between a correlation and an experiment?

A

Experimental designs require manipulation of the IV and a measurement resulting change in the dependant variable. Correlation is where no variables are manipulated, two covariables are measured and compared to look for a relationship

32
Q

What is a correlation coefficient?

A

A number that represents both strength and direction of the relationship between covariables.

33
Q

Define operationalisation?

A

Operationalised variables are carefully stated, demonstrating exactly how they are measured

34
Q

What is an independent measures design?

A

Ps only take part in one condition

35
Q

What is a repeated measures study?

A

Ps take part in all conditions

36
Q

What is a matches pairs study?

A

Ps are matched on characteristics that may have an effect on their performance and then each do a different condition

37
Q

What are order effects?

A

When a participant may perform better as a result of already carrying out the task (practice)

38
Q

Why can SLT be argued to have higher face validity than behaviourism?

A

Due to everyone’s personal experience of having internal mental processes, SLT’s inclusion of internal mental processes is an improvement on behaviourism in explaining human behaviour

39
Q

Why can SLT be argued to be less scientific than behaviourism?

A

cognitions used in SLT are not observable directly, so SLT needs to make inferences about internal working model

40
Q

What is the SLT perspective on determinsim?

A

Environmentally determined

41
Q

What is the key assumption of the cognitive approach?

A

They suggest the brain is like a computer, and software is like thoughts. The computer model

42
Q

What is making an inference?

A

Observing behaviour and then making a logical assumption about the underlying mental processes

43
Q

What is a schema

A

A package of information about how the world works built up by experience. The self, roles and events

44
Q

What are schemas used for?

A

Mental shortcuts to make assumptions and expect behaviour, packages of information that help us navigate the world, process large amount of information and expect behaviour

45
Q

What is machine reductionism and why is this a problem?

A

The brain is explained as a machine/computer. Humans are less rational than computers and feel emotions

A-Levels (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions