Research Methods Flashcards
(150 cards)
What are aims?
The intention or research question developed from our theory
What is the dependent variable ? (DV)
What is being measured
What is the independent variable ? ( IV)
What the researcher changes
What is meant by operationalising your variables?
Making sure your variable are in a form that can be easily tested. So the IV needs to be specific and the DV needs to be measurable
What is a extraneous variable ?
Any variable, other than the independent variable, that may have an effect on the dependent variable if it’s not controlled.
What is a confounding variable?
Any variable, other than the IV t, that may affect the DV so we cannot be sure of the true source of changes to the DV. They cannot be controlled before the experiment.
What are demand characteristics?
Any cue from the researcher or from research situation that may be interpreted by participants as revealing the purpose of the investigation. This may lead yo a participant changing there behaviour within the research situation. It is a extraneous variable.
What is the investigators effect ?
Any effect of the investigators behaviour(conscious or unconscious) on the research outcome (the DV) . This may include everything from the design of the study to the selection of, and interaction with, participants during the research process.
What is randomisation?
The use of chance in order to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of the conditions.
What is standardisation?
Using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study.
What are the disadvantages of independent group designs ?
- differences between the groups on the Dv may be more to do with the participants variable.
- they are less economical than repeated measure designs
What is the advantages of using independent group designs?
Order effective are not a problem.
What is the disadvantages of using repeated measures design ?
- Order effects. Such as the participants become bored or tired so might deteriorate there performance on the second task. It’s a confounding effect.
- demand characteristic tends to be more of a feature as participants are likely to workout the aim.
What are the advantages of using repeated measures ?
Participant variable are controlled and fewer participants are needed.
What are the advantages of using matched pairs?
- participants only need to take part in a single condition so order effects and demand characteristics are less of a problem.
What are the disadvantages of matched pairs ?
- although there is some attempt to reduce participants variable in this design, participants can never be matched exactly so participant effects May effect the DV.
- matching may be time consuming and expensive. Particularly if a pre test is required so it’s less economical than other designs.
What is random sampling ?
When you pick people out at random e.g picking a name out of a hat or using a computer to select the names at random.
What is systematic sampling?
Selecting names from the sampling frame at regular intervals
What is a sampling frame?
A list of people in the target population organised into, for instance, alphabetical order.
What is opportunity sampling ?
Approaching people who are available at the time (in the same place as you) and wish to take part.
What is volunteer sampling ?
Aka. Self-selecting. asking people to volunteer, usually through adverts placed in the media, or through posters.
Describe stratified sampling ?
It’s where you pick a group of people to reflect your target population. You would split your sampling frame into different categories(strata) then the proportions needed for the sample to be representative. Then you randomly select the people needed
What are the advantage of random sampling?
- free from researcher bias as the researcher has no influence over who is selected.
What are the disadvantages of random sampling ?
- it is difficult and time - consuming to conduct.
- May still end up with a unrepresentative sample.
- selected participants may refuse to take part meaning that you would end up with more like a volunteer sample.