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A-Level Psychology > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Name 3 features of the Scientific approach

A

1) Observation and description of a phenomenon
2) Formulation of a hypothesis to explain the phenomenon
3) Performance of experimental tests of the predictions

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2
Q

Reliability

A

Being able to repeat a study to check the credibility. Research has to be clearly written so conditions can be repeated

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3
Q

Objectivity

A

Observations are made without bias. Researchers aim to use standardised instructions to operationalise variables.

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4
Q

Falsification

A

Scientific statements are capable of being proven wrong through experimentation

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5
Q

Inductive phase of Theory construction

A

Observations yield information which is used to formulate theories

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6
Q

Deductive phases of theory construction

A

Predictions made from theories

In form of testable hypotheses that are tested and yield data that is analysed leading to theory adjustment

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7
Q

Paradigm shifts

A

Change in scientific assumptions from one set of widely accepted ideas to a new set.

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8
Q

Psychology as Pre-paradigmal

A

Psychology doesn’t operate under one paradigm; instead it’s pre - paradigmal as there are many approaches

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9
Q

Aim

A

A general study describing what the study intends to investigate

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10
Q

Operationalisation of variables

A

Making clear how variables are understood and how they will be measured

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11
Q

Experimental hypothesis

A

A statement used in an experiment to predict what will happen in an investigation. Both the IV and DV are operationalised

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12
Q

Alternative hypothesis

A

A statement used in a non-experimental method to predict what will happen in an investigation

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13
Q

Directional hypothesis

A

A hypothesis that gives a very specific outcome of an experiment

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14
Q

Non directional hypothesis

A

A hypothesis that does not state a specific outcome

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15
Q

One tailed test

A

Statistical test used with a directional hypothesis

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16
Q

Two tailed test

A

Statistical test used with a non directional hypothesis

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17
Q

Random Sampling

A

A sample which all members of the target population have an equal chance of being selected to participate in research.

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18
Q

Systematic sampling

A

A mathematical selection of participants when the population size is divided by the sample size to dictate which participants are selected for the sample

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19
Q

Stratified sampling

A

Method aims to ensure that the key characteristics of the population are represented in the same proportion in the sample

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20
Q

Opportunity sampling

A

A sample that consists of participants who were selected because of their availability

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21
Q

Volunteer sampling

A

A sample where participants self select

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22
Q

Generalisability

A

The extent to which the findings from a study can be taken and said to be true of those beyond the original sample

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23
Q

Whole population

A

Everyone in a population, regardless of who they are and if they fit the demands of the study

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24
Q

Target population

A

The group of people within the whole population who the researcher wants to find more about

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25
Q

Primary data

A

Data collected from first hand experience

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26
Q

Secondary data

A

Data collected from an already published source

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27
Q

Sampling frame

A

A list of people from the target population from which the researcher chooses the sample

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28
Q

Sample

A

The RPs who the researcher will use as part of their study

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29
Q

Qualitative data

A

Data that is not numerical

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30
Q

Quantitive data

A

Data that is expressed in a numerical form

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31
Q

Meta analysis

A

Combining findings of independent studies often with smaller samples to create a larger sample

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32
Q

Freak sample

A

Sample created through random sampling technique which doesn’t match the characteristics of the target population

33
Q

Reliability

A

Consistency of a research study or measuring test; can it be replicated?

34
Q

Validity

A

If the study or test measures what it claims to measure

35
Q

Internal reliability

A

The extent to which a measure is consistent with itself

36
Q

Item Analysis

A

Performance on each item is compared with the overall score. A good positive correlation suggests high internal reliability

37
Q

Split half method

A

The test is randomly divided into two so that each half is equivalent. Internal reliability is demonstrated if participants score are similar on both halves

38
Q

External reliability

A

The extent to which a measure varies from one use to another

39
Q

Test - retest reliability

A

The same person is tested twice over a period of time. Similar scores demonstrate high external validity

40
Q

Inter- researcher reliability

A

The ratings from more that one researcher are correlated to check for agreement. If correlation is low, it may be due to poor training of researchers and means low external reliability

41
Q

Internal validity

A

The extent to which a study measures what it intends to measure. About how variables are controlled and the extent that we can be certain that changes in the DV were due to the manipulated IV rather that EVs

42
Q

Experimental realism

A

When a participant does not believe in the experimental setup and they may simply act so the results are meaningless

43
Q

Mundane realism

A

Things that are similar to everyday activities

44
Q

Face validity

A

The items look like they measure what the test says it measures

45
Q

Criterion validity

A

Do people who do well in the test do well on other related things?

46
Q

External validity

A

The extent to which the findings from a study can be generalised to everyday life and situations other than the context of their study

47
Q

Ecological validity

A

The extent to which the findings of a study can be generalised to everyday life

48
Q

Population validity

A

The extent to which the findings from a study can be generalised to the rest of the population

49
Q

Ethical Issues

A

Considerations a researcher has to think about regarding the morality of the research process

50
Q

Respect for the Autonomy and Dignity of Persons

A

Researchers have a responsibility to treat their RPs with dignity and recognise that they have the authority to withdraw from research if they want

51
Q

Scientific value

A

Research proposed by psychologists has to be of value to the scientific community and individuals in wider society

52
Q

Social responsibility

A

Psychologists have a responsibility for the welfare of the RPs as well as animals used in research to not cause harm

53
Q

Maximising Benefit and Minimising Harm

A

Psychologists should aim to avoid potential risks to psychological well-being and research should make a positive contribution to the wellbeing of others

54
Q

Deception

A

Sometimes it is necessary to deceive the research participant. However, this is only acceptable when it is thought that being deceived would not affect their willingness to participate

55
Q

Debriefing

A

Minimise deception. Afterwards research participants are briefed about the real purpose of the research and they will have the opportunity to withdraw at this point

56
Q

Informed consent

A

RPs give permission to take part in research. However, knowing the research may affect the data

57
Q

Retrospective consent

A

RPs are debriefed after research with the aims of the research and give consent for their data to be used in research

58
Q

Right to withdraw

A

Right extended to RPs to have their data removed from the sample and not used to form conclusions

59
Q

Peer review

A

Scrutiny by experts of research papers to determine scientific value

60
Q

Single blind review

A

Involves the names of the reviewers not being revealed to the researcher

61
Q

Double blind review

A

Both reviewers and researchers are anonymous

62
Q

Open review

A

Involves reviewers and researchers both being known to each other

63
Q

4 options of peer review

A
  1. Accept the paper unconditionally
  2. Accept it as long as the researcher makes certain improvements
  3. Reject it but suggest revisions and improvements
  4. Reject it outright
64
Q

Why peer review?

A

Peer review is part of the verification process whereby research is deemed scientific or not. Best system for assessing scientific plausibility

65
Q

Order effects

A

Found in repeated measures when RPs either become fatigued by repeated experimentation or get better due to practice

66
Q

Counterbalancing

A

When half of a repeated measures sample complete condition 1 first then do condition 2 and the other half of the sample complete condition 1 and then do condition 2

67
Q

Randomisation

A

Using chance to decide the order in which participants experience the experiment

68
Q

Standardisation

A

Making things the same across the variables

Eg instructions being written so that RPs aren’t swayed by experimenter bias

69
Q

Demand Characteristics

A

Features or cues in an experiment which help the participants work out what is expected of them during the experiment

70
Q

Covert observations

A

Observations that take place without the knowledge or awareness of the participants

71
Q

Overt observations

A

Observations that takes place with the full knowledge and awareness of the participants

72
Q

Closed questions

A

Allow participants to respond in certain ways

73
Q

Open questions

A

RPS are allowed to answe freely and without restriction

74
Q

Interviews

A

A self report method where participants answer face to face questions

75
Q

Structured interviews

A

An interview that follows a predetermined set of questions

76
Q

Unstructured interviews

A

A flexible interview based on themes rather than fixed questions

77
Q

Content analysis

A

A method of quantifying qualitive data through the use of coding units

78
Q

Thematic analysis

A

Linked to content analyis, involves analysing data to identify the patterns within it

A-Level Psychology (5 decks)

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