Research methods

Question 1

Objectivity

Answer 1

Free from bias/personal opinion

Establishes cause/effect.

Eliminates extraneous variables.

Question 2

Theoretical

Answer 2

Theory based.

Question 3

Rational

Answer 3

Logical (makes sense)

consistent-follows facts.

Question 4

Replicability

Answer 4

To make an exact copy of something.

Guards against fraud

High internal validity

High reliability

Question 5

Falsification

Answer 5

A test/theory that disproves a theory/hypothesis.

Question 6

Quantitive data

Answer 6

Numerical data

Question 7

paradigm

Answer 7

SOMETHING THAT PSYCHOLOGY LACKS

A general perspective/shared principle – the usual accepted way of doing something.

Question 8

Paradigm shift

Answer 8

A shift in scientific revolution – changes to fundamental principles/concepts

Opens new approaches to understanding.

Question 9

Corroborate

Answer 9

A test that confirms/approves a theory.

Question 10

Features of Science

Answer 10

1. ) Objectivity
2. ) Theoretical
3. )Empirical
4. ) Rational
5. )Replicability
6. )Falsification
7. )Quantative data
8. ) paradigm
9. )Paradigm Shift
10. ) Corroborate

Question 11

Explain theory construction.

Answer 11

INDUCTION AND DEDUCTION
Induction:
Observation made.
General truths/theories that explain the observation.

Deduction:
Theories made about the observation.
Scientific predictions constructed.
Hypothesis tested.

Question 12

What is a pilot study

Answer 12

Pilot studies are an important element of research design in that they allow a researcher to test investigation procedures with a small group of participants before the investigation begins.

Question 13

The aims of pilot studying

Answer 13

A pilot study is a small-scale trial run of the actual investigation.

A pilot study may involve a handful of participants, rather than the total number, in order to ‘road-test the procedure and check the investigation runs smoothly.

It is also important to recognise that pilot studies are not just restricted to experimental studies.

When using self-report methods, such as questionnaires or interviews, it is helpful to try out questions in advance and remove or reword those that are ambiguous.

In observational studies, a pilot study provides a way of checking coding systems before the real investigation is undertaken. This may be an important part of training observers. In short then, a pilot study allows the researcher to identify any potential issues and to modify the design or procedure, saving time and money.

Question 14

Single-blind procedure

Answer 14

Where details are kept from participants, this is an attempt to control for the confounding effects of demand characteristics.

Question 15

Double-blind procedure

Answer 15

In a double-blind procedure neither the participants nor the researcher who conducts the study is aware of the aims of the investigation.

Question 16

Ethical issues in psychology DRIPPS

Answer 16

D- DECEPTION

R- RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL

I- INFORMED CONSENT

P- PROTECTION FROM HARM

P- PRIVACY

S- SOCIALLY SENSITIVE RESEARCH

Question 17

What are the 4 reasons as to why there are ethical guidelines:

Answer 17

Maintain the reputation of psychology.

Build trust between researchers and participants.

To protect participants.

To further our understanding of human behaviour.

Question 18

Informed consent -

Answer 18

Involves making participants aware of the aims of the research, procedures and their rights participants should read and understand the study and should then make the judgement as to whether they want to participate in the study or not.

Question 19

Deception -

Answer 19

Deliberately misleading/withholding information from participants at any stage of the investigation.

Question 20

Protection from harm-

.

Answer 20

Participants should not be placed at any more risk than they would be in their Everday life and should be protected from both physical and psychological harm.

Question 21

Privacy and confidentiality-

Answer 21

Participants have the right to control information about themselves. This is the right of privacy, if this is invaded confidentiality should be protected.

Question 22

Ways of dealing with ethical issues:

Answer 22

1. ) informed consent
2. ) Deception and protection from harm
3. ) Dealing with confidentiality

Question 23

Informed consent-

Answer 23

Participants should be issued with a consent letter/form which details all the relevant that may affect their choice to participate. If the participant agrees it should be signed for. For under 16 parental consent is needed as a signature. The participant should be able to fully understand and then accept their participance within the investigation.

Question 24

Deception and Protection from harm-

Answer 24

A full debrief is required. Within this, participants should be made aware of the true aims of the investigation and any details they were not supplied with during the study, such as the existence of other groups or experimental conditions.

Participants should also be told what their data will be used for and must be given the right to withhold data if they wish.

Participants may have natural concerns related to their performance within the investigation, and so should be reassured that their behaviour was typical or normal. In extreme cases, if participants have been subject to stress or embarrassment, they require counselling, the researcher should provide it.

Question 25

Dealing with confidentiality-

Answer 25

If personal details are held these must be protected. However, it is more usual to simply record no personal details, i.e. maintain anonymity. Instead, researchers usually refer to participants using numbers or initials when writing up the investigation.

Finally, it is standard practice that during briefing and debriefing, participants are reminded that their data will be protected throughout the process.

Question 26

Aim-

Answer 26

a general statements of what the researcher intends to investigate-the purpose of the study. .

Question 27

Hypothesis-

Answer 27

A clear, precise testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated.

Question 28

ONE-Tailed/Directional Hypothesis-

Answer 28

States the direction of the difference/relationship.

Question 29

TWO-Tailed/Non-Directional Hypothesis-

Answer 29

• Does not state the difference/relationship.

Question 30

Independent variable-

Answer 30

The aspect of the experiment that is changed.

Question 31

Dependent variable-

Answer 31

The variable that is measured by the researcher.

Question 32

Operationalisation (of variables)-

Answer 32

clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured.

Question 33

Extraneous variables-

Answer 33

A variable other than the IV that may affect the DV if not controlled. Do not vary systematically with the IV.

Question 34

Confounding variables-

Answer 34

A variable other than the IV that may affect the DV if not controlled. Varies systematically with the IV.

Question 35

Demand characteristics-

Answer 35

Participant changing their behaviour within a research situation because of any cues from the research situation where participants have interpreted it as the real purpose of the investigation.

Question 36

Investigator effects-

Answer 36

Any effect of the investigator behaviour on the research outcome. For example, the design of the study or the selection/interaction of participants within the research process.

Question 37

Randomisation-

Answer 37

the use of chance in order to control the effects of bias when designing and deciding the order of conditions.

Question 38

Standardisation-

Answer 38

Using the exact same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study.

Question 39

Random allocation-

Answer 39

an attempt to control for participant variables in independent group design which ensures that each participant has the same chance of being in one condition as any other.

Question 40

Types of experiments

Answer 40

Lab experiments
Field experiments
Natural experiments
Quasi-experiments