Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Research methods

A

The means by which explanations are tested

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2
Q

Dependent variable (DV)

A

The factor measured by researchers in an investigation

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3
Q

Experimental method

A

A research method using random allocation of participants and the manipulation fo variables to determine cause and effect

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4
Q

Independent variable (IV)

A

The factor manipulated by researchers in an investigation

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5
Q

Operationalisation of variables

A

The process of defining variables into measurable factors

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6
Q

Extraneous variables (EV)

A

Variables other than the IV that might affect the DV

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7
Q

Confounding variables

A

Uncontrolled extraneous variables that negatively affect results

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8
Q

Demand characteristics

A

Features of a piece of research which allow the participants to work out its aim or hypotheses. Participants may then change their behaviour and so frustrate the aim of the research

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9
Q

Participant variables

A

The differing individual characteristics that may impact how a participant responds in an experiment

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10
Q

Situational variables

A

Features of an environment that affect the degree to which individuals yield to authority figures

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11
Q

Investigar effects

A

A research effect where researcher features influence participants responses

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12
Q

Laboratory experiments - Strengths

A

High degree of control, Replication, Cause and Effect, Isolation of variables

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13
Q

Laboratory experiments - Weaknesses

A

Experimenter bias, Problems operationalising the IV and DV, Low external validity, Demand characteristics

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14
Q

Field experiments - Strenghts

A

High ecological validity, No demand characteristics

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15
Q

Field experiments - Weaknesses

A

Less control, Replication, Ethics, Sample bias

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16
Q

Natural experiments - Strengths

A

High ecological validity

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17
Q

Natural experiments - Weaknesses

A

Less control, Replication, Ethics, Sample bias

18
Q

Quasi experiments - Strengths

A

Controlled conditions

19
Q

Quasi experiments - Weaknesses

A

May be confounding variables

20
Q

Lab experiments

A

Experiment conducted in a controlled environment allowing the establishment of causality

21
Q

Field experiments

A

Experiment conducted in a naturalistic environment where the researchers manipulate the IV

22
Q

Natural experiments

A

Experiment where the independent variable varies naturally

23
Q

Quasi experiments

A

Where the researcher is unable to freely manipulate the IV or randomly allocate the participants to the different conditions

24
Q

Controlled observations

A

Surveillance and recording of events occurring under controlled conditions

25
Q

Participant observations

A

Surveillance of events where the observer takes part in the activity being observed

26
Q

Non-Participant observations

A

Surveillance of events where the observer takes no part in the activity being observed

27
Q

Overt observations

A

Surveillance of events where participants are aware of being observed

28
Q

Covert observations

A

Surveillance of events where participants are unaware of being observed

29
Q

Replicability

A

Being able to repeat a study to check the validity of the results

30
Q

Causal explanations

A

Where a change in a DV is attributable to manipulation of an IV

31
Q

Experimenter bias

A

Any systematic errors in the research process or the interpretation of its results that are attributable to a researcher’s behaviours

32
Q

Ecological validity

A

A type of external validity concerning the extent to which the findings of studies can be generalised to real-life settings

33
Q

Sample bias

A

Where the sample does not reflect the characteristics of the target population

34
Q

External validity

A

The extent to which conclusions can be generalised beyond the setting of a study

35
Q

Naturalistic observations

A

Surveillance and recording of naturally occurring events

36
Q

Behavioural categories

A

Dividing target behaviours into subsets of behaviours through use of coding systems

37
Q

Ethical considerations

A

Moral aspects of research that need to be taken into account before studies are conducted

38
Q

Ethical implications

A

The consequences of conducting psychological research in unethical ways for participants and wider society

39
Q

Ethical issues

A

The rules governing the conduct of researchers in investigations

40
Q

Representativeness

A

How a sample of participants can be generalised to a much wider group of people

41
Q

Target population

A

The whole group of people in which a sample is taken from and is representative a population