Research Methods

Question 1

Define an Aim

Answer 1

A general statement of what the researcher intends to study.

Question 2

Define Hypothesis

Answer 2

A prediction about what the researcher thinks will happen in their study.

Question 3

Define Directional Hypothesis

Answer 3

States the direction the difference or relationship will go.

Question 4

Define Non-Directional Hypothesis

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Define Null Hypothesis

Answer 5

States that there will be no difference in the direction or relationship. This type of hypothesis is compulsory for every study.

Question 6

Define Operationalised

Answer 6

Clearly defining variables in terms of how they are measured.

Question 7

Define Independent Variable (IV)

Answer 7

The variable that is manipulated (changed) by the researcher.

Question 8

Define Dependent Variable (DV)

Answer 8

The variable that is measured (stays the same) by the researcher.

Question 9

Define Cause and effect relationship

Answer 9

What you manipulate in your study effects what you are measuring which helps researchers see the impact of the IV on the DV.

Question 10

Define Extraneous Variables

Answer 10

Any other variables apart from the IV that might have an effect on your DV.

Question 11

Define Confounding Variables

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Define Participant Variables

Answer 12

Variables such as age and gender.

Question 13

Define Situational Variables

Answer 13

Variables such as temperature and noise levels.

Question 14

Define Experimenter Variables

Answer 14

Variables such as the researcher’s personality and appearance.

Question 15

Define the Experimental Ethical Issue Informed Consent

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Define the Experimental Ethical Issue Deception

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Define the Experimental Ethical Issue Right to Withdraw

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Define the Experimental Ethical Issue Protection from Harm

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Define the Experimental Ethical Issue Privacy and Confidentiality

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

What is the acronym used to remember the Ethical Issues in Experiments?

Answer 20

Can’t Do With Psychology Participants

Question 21

Define Ethics

Answer 21

Correct rules of conduct when carrying out research. Researchers have a “moral responsibility” to their participants.

Question 22

Define Ethical issues

Answer 22

When a conflict arises between the rights of the participants and the goals of the research to produce valid data and findings.

Question 23

What does the British psychological society (BPS) do?

Answer 23

Set up the code of ethics (ethical guidelines) and state what behaviour is acceptable when dealing with participants.