Research Methodology

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

The purpose of a study. Indicates which behavior or mental process will be studied.

Question 2

Operationalize

Answer 2

Variables need to be written in a way that is clear about what is being measured.

Question 3

Independent Variable

Answer 3

The variable that causes a change in the other variable.

Question 4

Dependent Variable

Answer 4

The variable that is measured after the manipulation of the independent variable.

Question 5

Single Blind

Answer 5

Participants do not know what the study is about

Question 6

Double Blind

Answer 6

Participants do not know they are in the treatment or control group, and the person carrying out the experiment does not know the aim of the study or whether each group is the treatment, or control group.

Question 7

Target Population

Answer 7

The group whose behavior the researcher wishes to investigate.

Question 8

Sample

Answer 8

The nature of the group of participants.

Question 9

Opportunity Sample

Answer 9

A sample of whoever happens to be there and agrees to participate.

Question 10

Self-selected Sample

Answer 10

Made up of volunteers.

Question 11

Snowball Sample

Answer 11

Participants recruit other participants from among their friends and acquaintances.

Question 12

Random Sample

Answer 12

Every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected. This is used to obtain a representative sample.

Question 13

Stratified Sample

Answer 13

Used to have a sample that takes into consideration the diversity of a target population. Draws random samples from each subpopulation within the target population.

Question 14

Participant Variables

Answer 14

The extent to which the participants share a common set of traits that can bias the outcome of the study.

Question 15

Hawthorne Effect

Answer 15

When participants act differently simply because they know that they are in an experiment.

Question 16

Validity

Answer 16

Whether the research does what it claims to do.

Question 17

Ecological Validity

Answer 17

The study represents what happens in real life.

Question 18

Reliability

Answer 18

The results can be replicated. Usually used in reference to experimental study.

Question 19

Structured Interview

Answer 19

The interview schedule may state exactly what questions should be asked, as well as the order of the questions. Very controlled

Question 20

Unstructured Interview

Answer 20

Interview schedule only specifies the topic and the available time.

Question 21

Semi-Structured Interview

Answer 21

Could look like an informal conversation, but the interview does follow a schedule. Usually will have a set of questions that permits the respondent to answer more freely.

Question 22

Case Studies

Answer 22

In a case study, the researcher observes the behavior of an individual or a group of individuals. Case studies allow researchers to investigate a topic in far more detail than if they were dealing with a large number of researchers.