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Psychology > Research Method Key Terms > Flashcards

Research Method Key Terms Flashcards

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1
Q

Aim

A

The researcher’s area of interest – what they are looking at (e.g. to investigate helping behaviour).

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2
Q

Bar chart

A

A graph that shows the data in the form of categories (e.g. behaviours observed) that the researcher wishes to compare.

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3
Q

Behavioural categories

A

Key behaviours or, collections of behaviour, that the researcher conducting the observation will pay attention to and record

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4
Q

Case study

A

In-depth investigation of a single person, group or event, where data are gathered from a variety of sources and by using several different methods (e.g. observations & interviews).

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5
Q

Closed questions

A

Questions where there are fixed choices of responses e.g. yes/no. They generate quantitative data

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6
Q

Co-variables

A

The variables investigated in a correlation

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7
Q

Concurrent validity

A

Comparing a new test with another test of the same thing to see if they produce similar results. If they do then the new test has concurrent validity

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8
Q

Confidentiality

A

Unless agreed beforehand, participants have the right to expect that all data collected during a research study will remain confidential and anonymous.

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9
Q

Confounding variable

A

An extraneous variable that varies systematically with the IV so we cannot be sure of the true source of the change to the DV

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10
Q

Content analysis

A

Technique used to analyse qualitative data which involves coding the written data into categories – converting qualitative data into quantitative data.

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11
Q

Control group

A

A group that is treated normally and gives us a measure of how people behave when they are not exposed to the experimental treatment (e.g. allowed to sleep normally)

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12
Q

Controlled observation

A

An observation study where the researchers control some variables - often takes place in laboratory setting

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13
Q

Correlation analysis

A

A mathematical technique where the researcher looks to see whether scores for two covariables are related

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14
Q

Counterbalancing

A

A way of trying to control for order effects in a repeated measures design, e.g. half the participants do condition A followed by B and the other half do B followed by A

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15
Q

Covert observation

A

Also known as an undisclosed observation as the participants do not know their behaviour is being observed

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16
Q

Critical value

A

The value that a test statistic must reach in order for the hypothesis to be accepted.

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17
Q

Debriefing

A

After completing the research, the true aim is revealed to the participant. Aim of debriefing = to return the person to the state s/he was in before they took part.

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18
Q

Deception

A

Involves misleading participants about the purpose of s study.

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19
Q

Demand characteristics

A

Occur when participants try to make sense of the research situation they are in and try to guess the purpose of the research or try to present themselves in a good way.

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20
Q

Dependent variable

A

The variable that is measured to tell you the outcome

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21
Q

Descriptive statistics

A

Analysis of data that helps describe, show or summarize data in a meaningful way

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22
Q

Directional hypothesis

A

A one-tailed hypothesis that states the direction of the difference or relationship (e.g. boys are more helpful than girls).

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23
Q

Dispersion measure

A

A dispersion measure shows how a set of data is spread out, examples are the range and the standard deviation

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24
Q

Double blind control

A

Participants are not told the true purpose of the research and the experimenter is also blind to at least some aspects of the research design.

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25
Q

Ecological validity

A

The extent to which the findings of a research study are able to be generalized to real-life settings

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26
Q

Ethical guidelines

A

These are provided by the BPS - they are the ‘rules’ by which all psychologists should operate, including those carrying out research.

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27
Q

Ethical issues

A

There are 3 main ethical issues that occur in psychological research – deception, lack of informed consent and lack of protection of participants.

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28
Q

Evaluation apprehension

A

Participants’ behaviour is distorted as they fear being judged by observers

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29
Q

Event sampling

A

A target behaviour is identified and the observer records it every time it occurs

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30
Q

Experimental group

A

The group that received the experimental treatment (e.g. sleep deprivation)

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31
Q

External validity

A

Whether it is possible to generalise the results beyond the experimental setting.

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32
Q

Extraneous variables

A

Variables that if not controlled may affect the DV and provide a false impression than an IV has produced changes when it hasn’t.

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33
Q

Face validity

A

Simple way of assessing whether a test measures what it claims to measure which is concerned with face value – e.g. does an IQ test look like it tests intelligence.

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34
Q

Field experiment

A

An experiment that takes place in a natural setting where the experimenter manipulates the IV and measures the DV

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35
Q

Histogram

A

A graph that is used for continuous data (e.g. test scores). There should be no space between the bars, because the data is continuous.

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36
Q

Hypothesis

A

This is a formal statement or prediction of what the researcher expects to find. It needs to be testable.

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37
Q

Independent groups design

A

An experimental design where each participants only takes part in one condition of the IV

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38
Q

Independent variable

A

The variable that the experimenter manipulates (changes).

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39
Q

Inferential statistics

A

Inferential statistics are ways of analyzing data using statistical tests that allow the researcher to make conclusions about whether a hypothesis was supported by the results.

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40
Q

Informed consent

A

Psychologists should ensure that all participants are helped to understand fully all aspects of the research before they agree (give consent) to take part

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41
Q

Inter-observer reliability

A

The extent to which two or more observers are observing and recording behaviour in the same way

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42
Q

Internal validity

A

In relation to experiments, whether the results were due to the manipulation of the IV rather than other factors such as extraneous variables or demand characteristics.

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43
Q

Interval level data

A

Data measured in fixed units with equal distance between points on the scale

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44
Q

Investigator effects

A

These result from the effects of a researcher’s behaviour and characteristics on an investigation.

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45
Q

Laboratory experiments

A

An experiment that takes place in a controlled environment where the experimenter manipulates the IV and measures the DV

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46
Q

Matched pairs design

A

An experimental design where pairs of participants are matched on important characteristics and one member allocated to each condition of the IV

47
Q

Mean

A

Measure of central tendency calculated by adding all the scores in a set of data together and dividing by the total number of scores

48
Q

Measures of central tendency

A

A measurement of data that indicates where the middle of the information lies e.g. mean, median or mode

49
Q

Median

A

Measure of central tendency calculated by arranging scores in a set of data from lowest to highest and finding the middle score

50
Q

Meta-analysis

A

A technique where rather than conducting new research with participants, the researchers examine the results of several studies that have already been conducted

51
Q

Mode

A

Measure of central tendency which is the most frequently occurring score in a set of data

52
Q

Natural experiment

A

An experiment where the change in the IV already exists rather than being manipulated by the experimenter

53
Q

Naturalistic observation

A

An observation study conducted in the environment where the behaviour would normally occur

54
Q

Negative correlation

A

A relationship exists between two covariables where as one increases, the other decreases

55
Q

Nominal level of data

A

Frequency count data that consists of the number of participants falling into categories. (e.g. 7 people passed their driving test first time, 6 didn’t).

56
Q

Non-directional hypothesis

A

A two-tailed hypothesis that does not predict the direction of the difference or relationship (e.g. girls and boys are different in terms of helpfulness).

57
Q

Normal distribution

A

An arrangement of a data that is symmetrical and forms a bell shaped pattern where the mean, median and mode all fall in the centre at the highest peak

58
Q

Observed value

A

The value that you have obtained from conducting your statistical test

59
Q

Observer bias

A

Occurs when the observers know the aims of the study study or the hypotheses and allow this knowledge to influence their observations

60
Q

Open questions

A

Questions where there is no fixed response and participants can give any answer they like. They generate qualitative data.

61
Q

Operationalising variables

A

This means clearly describing the variables (IV and DV) in terms of how they will be manipulated (IV) or measured (DV).

62
Q

Opportunity sample

A

A sampling technique where participants are chosen because they are easily available

63
Q

Order effects

A

Order effects can occur in a repeated measures design and refers to how the positioning of tasks influences the outcome e.g. practice effect or boredom effect on second task

64
Q

Ordinal level data

A

Data that is capable of being out into rank order (e.g. places in a beauty contest, or ratings for attractiveness).

65
Q

Overt observation

A

Also known as a disclosed observation as the participants given their permission for their behaviour to be observed

66
Q

Participant observation

A

Observation study where the researcher actually joins the group or takes part in the situation they are observing.

67
Q

Peer review

A

Before going to publication, a research report is sent other psychologists who are knowledgeable in the research topic for them to review the study, and check for any problems

68
Q

Pilot study

A

A small scale study conducted to ensure the method will work according to plan. If it doesn’t then amendments can be made.

69
Q

Positive correlation

A

A relationship exists between two covariables where as one increases, so does the other

70
Q

Presumptive consent

A

Asking a group of people from the same target population as the sample whether they would agree to take part in such a study, if yes then presume the sample would

71
Q

Primary data

A

Information that the researcher has collected him/herself for a specific purpose e.g. data from an experiment or observation

72
Q

Prior general consent

A

Before participants are recruited they are asked whether they are prepared to take part in research where they might be deceived about the true purpose

73
Q

Probability

A

How likely something is to happen – can be expressed as a number (0.5) or a percentage (50% change of tossing coin and getting a head)

74
Q

Protection of participants

A

Participants should be protected from physical or mental health, including stress - risk of harm must be no greater than that to which they are exposed in everyday life

75
Q

Qualitative data

A

Descriptive information that is expressed in words

76
Q

Quantitative data

A

Information that can be measured and written down with numbers.

77
Q

Quasi experiment

A

An experiment often conducted in controlled conditions where the IV simply exists so there can be no random allocation to the conditions

78
Q

Questionnaire

A

A set of written questions that participants fill in themselves

79
Q

Random sampling

A

A sampling technique where everyone in the target population has an equal chance of being selected

80
Q

Randomisation

A

Refers to the practice of using chance methods (e.g. flipping a coin’ to allocate participants to the conditions of an investigation

81
Q

Range

A

The distance between the lowest and the highest value in a set of scores. A measure of dispersion which involves subtracting the lowest score from the highest score in a set of data.

82
Q

Reliability

A

Whether something is consistent. In the case of a study, whether it is replicable.

83
Q

Repeated measures design

A

An experimental design where each participants takes part in both/all conditions of the IV

84
Q

Representative sample

A

A sample that that closely matched the target population as a whole in terms of key variables and characteristics

85
Q

Retrospective consent

A

Once the true nature of the research has been revealed, participants should be given the right to withdraw their data if they are not happy.

86
Q

Right to withdraw

A

Participants should be aware that they can leave the study at any time, even if they have been paid to take part.

87
Q

Sample

A

A group of people that are drawn from the target population to take part in a research investigation

88
Q

Scattergram

A

Used to plot correlations where each pair of values is plotted against each other to see if there is a relationship between them.

89
Q

Secondary data

A

Information that someone else has collected e.g. the work of other psychologists or government statistics

90
Q

Semi-structured interview

A

Interview that has some pre-determined questions, but the interviewer can develop others in response to answers given by the participant

91
Q

Sign test

A

A statistical test used to analyse the direction of differences of scores between the same or matched pairs of subjects under two experimental conditions

92
Q

Significance

A

If the result of a statistical test is significant it is highly unlikely to have occurred by chance

93
Q

Single-blind control

A

Participants are not told the true purpose of the research

94
Q

Skewed distribution

A

An arrangement of data that is not symmetrical as data is clustered ro one end of the distribution

95
Q

Social desirability bias

A

Participants’ behaviour is distorted as they modify this in order to be seen in a positive light.

96
Q

Standard deviation

A

A measure of the average spread of scores around the mean. The greater the standard deviation the more spread out the scores are

97
Q

Standardised instructions

A

The instructions given to each participant are kept identical – to help prevent experimenter bias.

98
Q

Standardised procedures

A

In every step of the research all the participants are treated in exactly the same way and so all have the same experience.

99
Q

Stratified sample

A

A sampling technique where groups of participants are selected in proportion to their frequency in the target population

100
Q

Structured interview

A

Interview where the questions are fixed and the interviewer reads them out and records the responses

101
Q

Structured observation

A

An observation study using predetermined coding scheme to record the participants’ behaviour

102
Q

Systematic sample

A

A sampling technique where every nth person in a list of the target population is selected

103
Q

Target population

A

The group that the researchers draws the sample from and wants to be able to generalise the findings to

104
Q

Temporal validity

A

Refers to how likely it is that the time period when a study was conducted has influenced the findings and whether they can be generalised to other periods in time

105
Q

Test-retest reliability

A

Involves presenting the same participants with the same test or questionnaire on two separate occasions and seeing whether there is a positive correlation between the two

106
Q

Thematic analysis

A

A method for analysing qualitative data which involves identifying, analysing and reporting patterns within the data

107
Q

Time sampling

A

A way of sampling the behaviour that is being observed by recording what happens in a series of fixed time intervals.

108
Q

Type 1 error

A

Is a false positive. It is where you accept the alternative/experimental hypothesis when it is false

109
Q

Type 2 error

A

Is a false negative. It is where you accept the null hypothesis when it is false

110
Q

Unstructured interview

A

Also know as a clinical interview, there are no fixed questions just general aims and it is more like a conversation

111
Q

Unstructured observation

A

Observation where there is no checklist so every behaviour seen is written down in an much detail as possible

112
Q

Validity

A

Whether something is true – measures what it sets out to measure

113
Q

Volunteer sample

A

A sampling technique where participants put themselves forward to take part in research, often by answering an advertisement

Psychology (1 decks)

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