Research Methods Flashcards
Define an Aim
A general statement of what the researcher intends to study.
Define Hypothesis
A prediction about what the researcher thinks will happen in their study.
Define Directional Hypothesis
States the direction the difference or relationship will go.
Define Non-Directional Hypothesis
Doesn’t state the direction the difference or relationship will go but the researcher will state that there will be a difference or relationship but doesn’t elaborate any further.
Define Null Hypothesis
States that there will be no difference in the direction or relationship. This type of hypothesis is compulsory for every study.
Define Operationalised
Clearly defining variables in terms of how they are measured.
Define Independent Variable (IV)
The variable that is manipulated (changed) by the researcher.
Define Dependent Variable (DV)
The variable that is measured (stays the same) by the researcher.
Define Cause and effect relationship
What you manipulate in your study effects what you are measuring which helps researchers see the impact of the IV on the DV.
Define Extraneous Variables
Any other variables apart from the IV that might have an effect on your DV.
Define Confounding Variables
Any other variables apart from the IV, that has affected the DV so we cannot be sure of the true source of the changes to the DV.
Define Participant Variables
Variables such as age and gender.
Define Situational Variables
Variables such as temperature and noise levels.
Define Experimenter Variables
Variables such as the researcher’s personality and appearance.
Define the Experimental Ethical Issue Informed Consent
Most people will want to know what they are getting involved in before agreeing to it. Informed Consent means making the participants aware of the aims of the research, the procedure and their rights including their Right to withdraw. Lack of informed consent is justified if the research requires true reflection of behaviour which increases validity.
Define the Experimental Ethical Issue Deception
Deliberately misleading/withholding information. If a participant in a study has not been told all the information, they wouldn’t have informed consent. Deception is justified and approved if the experiment will not cause participants distress.
Define the Experimental Ethical Issue Right to Withdraw
A participant must be able to leave the experiment at any time (before/during/after). Participants must be made aware of this right. If the participant is not aware they are part of an experiment they must be made aware after the experiment of their right to withdraw their date from the experiment.
Define the Experimental Ethical Issue Protection from Harm
Participants should not be placed in anymore risk than they would be in their daily lives whether it be physically or psychologically. More minor issues such as embarrassment, feelings of being inadequate and being put under undue stress/pressure must also be avoided.
Define the Experimental Ethical Issue Privacy and Confidentiality
Participants have the right to control information about themselves called the right to privacy if this is invaded it becomes the right to confidentiality under Data Protection Act which makes this legal requirement.
What is the acronym used to remember the Ethical Issues in Experiments?
Can’t Do With Psychology Participants
Define Ethics
Correct rules of conduct when carrying out research. Researchers have a “moral responsibility” to their participants.
Define Ethical issues
When a conflict arises between the rights of the participants and the goals of the research to produce valid data and findings.
What does the British psychological society (BPS) do?
Set up the code of ethics (ethical guidelines) and state what behaviour is acceptable when dealing with participants.
