Research Methods Flashcards
Aim
a statement outlining the purpose of the study p. 3
Allocation
the process of assigning participants to conditions in the experiment for the research p. 23
Bar chart
a graph that depicts the relationship between two variables using rectangular bars p. 49
Case study
an in-depth study of an individual or a very small group of individuals p. 12
Choosing an experimental research design
the process of choosing an appropriate experimental research design in order to reduce possible extraneous and confounding variables p. 29
Conclusion
a statement regarding the results of an investigation as to whether the hypothesis was supported or not p. 55
Confidentiality
the right of the participant for their personal details to remain private p. 36
Confounding variables
variables other than the independent variable that have directly and systematically had an effect on the dependent variable p. 28
Control group
a group that is used as a basis for comparison; participants are not exposed to the experimental conditions (the IV) p. 15
Convenience sampling
when a sample is selected using the quickest and easiest means possible, selecting people who are readily available from the population p. 22
Counterbalancing
a method used in repeated measures experimental designs to reduce order effects p. 30
Cross-sectional study
when data is collected from participants from different segments of the population (pre-existing cohorts) to represent a ‘snapshot’ in time p. 12
Debriefing
a process which occurs at the conclusion of a study and involves the researcher outlining the nature of the study to participants and includes ensuring that participants do not leave the study with lasting harm p. 36
Deception
when the participant is unaware of the true nature of the study p. 36
Dependent variable (DV)
the variable that is being measured in an experiment for changes it experiences due to the effect of something (i.e. the independent variable) p. 5
Descriptive statistics
statistics that are used to organise and summarise data p. 47
Double-blind procedure
a procedure in which both the participants and the person conducting the experiment are unaware of which condition participants have been allocated to in order to reduce experimenter bias and participant expectations p. 31
Empirical evidence
data that is collected through direct observation or through experiments p. 2
Ethical guidelines
a set of rules and considerations that researchers must abide by when conducting research p. 34
Ethics committee
a group of people who review research proposals and consider the potential risks, benefits and implications in order to either approve or disapprove them for research p. 35
Experiment
a study conducted in a carefully controlled environment to measure the cause and effect relationship between variables p. 11
Experimental group
the group within an experiment that are exposed to experimental conditions (the IV) p. 15
Experimenter effects
when an experimenter’s expectations about the study influence the results p. 31
External validity
the extent to which the results of an investigation can be applied to other settings, people and time p. 57
Extraneous variables
variables other than the independent variable that may produce unwanted results in an experiment p. 28
Generalisability
the extent to which the results of an investigation can be applied to the wider research population p. 56
Hypothesis
a testable prediction about the outcome of an experiment; it is written in the form of a statement and includes the variables that will be tested p. 3
Independent groups design
an experimental design in which participants are split into two or more groups; typically a control group and an experimental groups p. 16
Independent variable (IV)
the variable that the experimenter manipulates in order to observe the effect it has on something (i.e. the dependent variable) p. 5
Inferential statistics
statistics that provide information on the statistical significance of the results and suggest how they might apply to a wider population p. 47
Informed consent
the right of the participant to have a thorough understanding of the nature of the study, before agreeing to participate p. 36
Internal validity
the extent to which the changes in the dependent variable are caused by the independent variable, and not other variables p. 57
Interview
a type of questionnaire that is usually conducted verbally, involving the researcher asking participants questions and recording their responses p. 11
Line graph
a graph that depicts the relationship between two variables using a line that connects each data point p. 49
Longitudinal study
a type of investigation in which data is gathered from participants over an extended period of time, and the participants are followed up after specific time intervals p. 12
Matched participants design
an experimental design in which participants are paired based upon relevant characteristics, where one member of the pair is tested in one condition, and the other member is tested in the other p. 16
Mean
a measure of central tendency, expressed numerically, that represents the average of a data set p. 47
No-harm principle
the role of the researcher to ensure that all participants within an investigation do not experience mental or physical harm p. 35
Non-standardised testing procedures
when instructions and procedures in an experiment are not consistent for all participants, therefore affecting the results obtained p. 31
Objective data
data that does not rely on personal opinion and is independent of the interpreter; it can be observed or measured by multiple people and obtain the same results p. 41
Observational study
a type of study in which data is collected through careful monitoring of participants p. 12
Operationalisation
the process of defining variables in terms of how they will be manipulated or measured in the experiment p. 6
Order effects
a source of error in repeated measures designs due to the order the participants participate in the experimental and control conditions p. 30
Outlier
a value that differs significantly from the other values in a data set p. 48
Participant-related variables
individual participant differences that can affect the results p. 29
Placebo
an inactive medication, procedure or treatment that is used to control for participant expectations p. 30
Placebo effect
when an inactive treatment or procedure has an effect due to the participants’ expectations p. 30
Population
the group of people of interest to an experiment, to which the results of the experiment are generalised to p. 4, 20
Primary data collection
a method of data collection involving data being collected directly by the researcher p. 40
Psychology
the scientific study of human mental states and beaviour p. 70
Qualitative data
data of concepts that is measured or expressed non-numerically p. 41
Quantitative data
data concerning numerical amounts and is expressed numerically p. 41
Questionnaire
a list of questions that participants can respond to in a variety of formats p. 11
Random allocation
when every member of the sample has an equal chance of being assigned to each condition in an experiment p. 23
Random sampling
when every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample p. 22
Rating scale
a form of questionnaire collecting numerical data from participants’ responses p. 11
Reliability
how likely it is that the results are consistent and that the same results could be obtained by another researcher p. 57
Repeated measures design
an experimental design in which the same participants are in every condition of the experiment p. 16
Sample
a subset of the population, commonly referred to as the research participants p. 21
Sampling
the process through which the participants for a study are selected from the population of interest p. 21
Sampling procedures
the different methods through which a sample can be drawn from a population p. 29
Self-report
a participant’s subjective account of an experience; this type of investigation can be conducted through the use of a questionnaire, interview or rating scale p. 11
Single-blind procedure
a procedure in which participants are unaware of which condition they have been allocated to in order to reduce participant expectations p. 31
Standard deviation
a measure of central tendency, expressed numerically, that represents the spread of data around the mean p. 48
Standardised instructions and procedures
the consistent use of instructions and procedures for all participants p. 31
Stratified sampling
when the population is divided into groups based upon relevant characteristics, and participants are selected from each group in proportion to how they appear in the population p. 22
Subjective data
data that relies on personal opinion or self-report p. 41
Table
a method of presenting data using columns and rows p. 49
Validity
the extent to which the investigation measures what it intends to measure p. 57
Variable
a factor or element of an experiment that may be manipulated or measured p. 4
Voluntary participation
the right of the participant to willingly choose to participate p. 36
Withdrawal rights
the right of the participant to leave the study at any point, without fear of consequence p. 36
