Research Methods

Question 1

Planning Research

Answer 1

1 - Aim (statement of what is to be investigated)
2 - Experimental hypothesis (prediction of what will occur in the experiment)
3 - Research hypothesis (prediction using non-experimental method)
4 - Null hypothesis

Question 2

Hypothesis

Answer 2

A proposed explanation for a phenomenon. It should be operationalized (the variables should be able to be tested). It should clearly state the IV and DV, and the way it will be measured (number of __).

Question 3

Null hypothesis

Answer 3

The null hypothesis assumes that there will be no significant difference for a given population under two different conditions.

Question 4

Constructing a null hypothesis

Answer 4

• “There is no significant difference”
• Clearly states the IV and DV
• Measurable data (number of___)
• Explains the two conditions

Question 5

Alternative hypothesis

Answer 5

Hypothesis that states the guess about what will happen.

Question 6

One-tailed hypothesis

Answer 6

Predicts a change and the direction of the change. It is often used to test the reliability of a study’s findings.

Question 7

Two-tailed hypothesis (best option)

Answer 7

Predicts a change, but not the direction of the change. It is usually used in psychology to investigate a question and uses the words “there will be a difference”.

Question 8

Quantitative Research

Answer 8

Involves measuring behavior in a numerical way. Data refers to quantities, amounts or numbers.

Question 9

Qualitative Research

Answer 9

Usually focuses on a participant’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and it has more quality and detail.

Question 10

Examples of quantitative research

Answer 10

lab experiments, field experiments, correlations, structured interviews and observations

Question 11

Examples of qualitative research

Answer 11

self reports, unstructured interviews and observations, case studies

Question 12

Experimental methods

Answer 12

Lab experiment, field experiment, quasi experiment (also true experiment)

Question 13

Lab experiment

Answer 13

IV is changed to see effect on DV in a controlled environment.

Example: Loftus and Palmer car crash study

Question 14

Advantages of lab experiments

Answer 14

• Great control over variables so cause and effect can be established.
• Can be replicated in order to check the reliability of the results.

Question 15

Disadvantages of lab experiments

Answer 15

• Lack ecological validity as it is an artificial situation and the results cannot be generalized to real life situations
• Participants may respond to demand characteristics.

Question 16

Field experiment

Answer 16

IV is changed to see affect on DV in natural environment.

Example: shotland and straw (domestic argument in public)

Question 17

Advantages of field experiments

Answer 17

• High in ecological validity because behavior reflects real-life situations
• Some extraneous variables can be controlled

Question 18

Disadvantages of field experiments

Answer 18

• Lack of control over environmental variables meaning that cause and effect cannot be inferred
• Cannot be replicated
• Can raise ethical concerns

Question 19

Quasi (natural) experiment

Answer 19

The researcher does not manipulate IV (it is already existing).
Example: time of day affecting student participation

Question 20

Advantages of quasi experiments

Answer 20

More ethical, since there is no manipulation of the IV

Question 21

Disadvantages of quasi experiments

Answer 21

Lack of control over variables so cause and effect cannot be inferred.

Question 22

True experiment

Answer 22

A true experiment is defined asan experiment conducted where an effort is made to impose control over all other variables except the one under study. The researcher has controlled for the influence of extraneous variables.

Question 23

Experimenter bias

Answer 23

The experimenter may treat some participants differently to other participants.

Question 24

Independent measures

Answer 24

Recruit a group of participants, divide them into two, each does a different condition, the DV is measured for each

Question 25

IM advantages and disadvantages

Answer 25

+ removes problem of order effects
+ same participants and materials can be used
- Potential for error from individual differences

Question 26

Repeated measures

Answer 26

Recruit a group of participants, expose to condition one, then expose to condition two, compare results for each condition

Question 27

RM advantages and disadvantages

Answer 27

+Individual differences are removed as confounding variables

-order effects may occur

Question 28

Matched participant

Answer 28

Recruit a group of participants, recruit another group that matches them one for one, give each group a different condition, compare the DV results

Question 29

MP advantages and disadvantages

Answer 29

+ Individual differences and order effects are removed

-Difficult and time-consuming to find matching participants

Question 30

Controlling extraneous variables

Answer 30

• Standardization (make things the same across all conditions)
• Counterbalancing (same participants are used for each condition - repeated measures)
• Deception to control demand characteristics
• Randomization (randomize order of things)