Research method terms Flashcards
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Hypothesis
A clear, precise, testable statement that is written at the beginning of an investigation. It states the relationship between the variables being investigated.
Independent variable (IV)
Deliberately changed or varies naturally. DIfferent levels are known as conditions.
Dependent variable (DV)
Measure in the investigation. Changes in the DV should be due to changes in the IV only.
The null hypothesis
A statement of no relationship (correlation or difference) between variables.
Extraneous variables
Determining cause and effect is determined by extraneous variables (EV). These are uncontrollable variables that might interfere with the relationship between the IV and the DV.
The alternative hypothesis
States a relationship (correlation or difference) between variables. It is called alternative as in alternative to the null hypothesis.
Laboratory experiments
Defined by high level of control the researcher has over all variables in the study.
Field experiments
Defined by conducting the experiment in a natural setting.
Natural experiments
There are two levels of independent variables in natural experiments. Not doing anything and just observing behaviour. Examples are the San Francisco fentanyl crisis or Football hooliganism.
Strengths of labratory experiment
Lots of equipment to do things and readily available,clean area,more control over environment,very clinical and measured,other researchers are present
Weaknesses of labratory experiment
giving/getting consent,bias, expensive
Strengths of field experiments
More natural so people will be more natural,cheaper but effective
Weakness of field experiment
Not much control over the environment as a researcher, change of behaviour
Strengths of natural experiments
No consent so you get to see peoples raw behaviour without altering,incredibly cheap form of researc
Weakneses of natural experiments
You’re just observing and not able to ask questions so you may not get much useful data, Unpredictable-Don’t know what you’re testing for. Dangerous. Time consuming. Rare occurring event.
What is informed consent?
Participants should be told the purpose of research and that they can leave at any time
What is privacy?
Participants have the right to control information about themselves
What is deception?
Participants should not be lied to or misled about aims. Mild deception can be justified
What is confidentiality?
Personal data must be protected and respected
What are BSP guidlines?
A code of conduct all profesional psychologists in the UK must follow
How do you deal with informed consent?
Participants (guardians if they are under 18) sighn a form that tells them what is excpected.
How do you deal with deception and protection from harm?
Participants have a full debrief to explain true aims, reduce distress.
What is reliability?
A measure of consitency
What are quantative methods?
Tend to be most reliable
Labratory experiments-Controlled and easy to repeat
Interviews/questionaries:Same person should answer the same questions in the same way. Closed questions likley to be more reliable
Observations:One observer should produce same observations if repeated
What are qualitative methods?
Less reliable
case studies and unstructerd interiews-Difficultk to repeat in the same way
What is target population?
Group of people being studied
