Research Methods Flashcards
Case studies
A detailed study of a particular person/persons or event, usually yielding a
large amount of information.
Content analysis
A research tool used to determine the presence of certain words, themes, or concepts within some given qualitative data
Controlled observation
A type of observation where participants are observed in a lab, increasing control and reliability but decreasing ecological validity.
Correlation
The extent to which two variables are associated.
Covert observation
A type of observation where the observer is hidden and therefore participants do not know they are being observed. While this does reduce demand characteristics, it can raise ethical issues around consent.
Experiment
A type of investigation wherein a hypothesis is tested by manipulation of an independent variable, in order to view its effect on the dependent variable.
Field experiment
A type of experiment that is conducted in a real life setting, which reduces the amount of control over extraneous variables, however the ecological validity is improved.
Interviews
A self-report technique wherein participants are asked questions by an interviewer, which allows for flexibility in the information gathered.
Laboratory experiment
A type of experiment that is conducted in a highly controlled environment, allowing control over extraneous variables at the expense of ecological validity.
Natural experiment
A type of experiment in which an independent variable that already exists is tested in its natural environment, greatly reducing the control of extraneous variables. This type of experiment allows for investigation of variables that cannot ethically be created.
Naturalistic observation
A type of observation where participants are observed in their natural environment, increasing ecological validity but decreasing the amount of control over extraneous variables.
Non-participant observation
A type of observation where the observer does not join the group under observation. This allows for higher objectivity but reduces the insight that could be achieved with a participant observation.
Observation
A type of data collection wherein participants’ behaviour is observed.
Overt observation
A type of observation where the participants know they are under
observation. This preserves informed consent but may increase demand characteristics.
Participant observation
A type of observation where the observer joins the group under observation. This form of observation yields highly valuable qualitative information with insight, but can reduce the objectivity of the researcher.
Questionnaires
A self-report technique wherein participants answer pre-decided questions, in the form of paper or electronically. This form of self-report allows for anonymity.
Structured interviews
A form of interview wherein questions are pre-set beforehand, with no flexibility. Usually, these consist of closed questions, and allows for replicability.
Unstructured interviews
A form of interview wherein questions may be set beforehand, but the interviewer is allowed flexibility in the form of a natural conversation.
Abstract
A part of a scientific report that aims to summarise the report.
Aims
The objective or purpose of the experiment.
Bias
An inclination to a certain position or thought. For example, in hostile attribution bias, hostility or negativity is more likely to be assumed from a neutral face.
Behavioural categories
An observational technique wherein participants’ possible behaviours are separated into more specific components. This allows for operationalisation of the behaviour. For example, splitting aggression into categories of “swearing” and “punching”.
Closed questions
A type of question that can only be answered with a limited number of answers, usually a “yes” or “no”.
Concurrent validity
Occurs if a test is similar to an older test that already has well-established validity.
Confounding variable
A type of extraneous variable that is related to the independent variable in the experiment. For example, if you were testing the effects of anxiety on memory recall, the relative levels of sensitivity to anxiety-inducing stimuli would be a confounding variable.
Control variable
Any variables that are kept constant through the experiment to prevent their effects on the dependent variable.
Counterbalancing
To make half of the participant sample experience the different conditions of the experiment in one order, and the other half of the participants complete it in the opposite order.
Demand characteristics
Changes in the participants’ behaviour to comply with the hypothesis of the researcher.
Dependent variable
The variable that changes in response to manipulation of the researcher, that is being measured for the experiment. For example, if you were testing the effects of anxiety on memory recall, memory recall would be the dependent variable.
Directional hypothesis
A hypothesis that specifies the direction of the relationship of the experiment e.g. coffee will have an effect on the reaction time of participants.
Ecological validity
How well results from a test can be applied to real life
Event sampling
An observational technique wherein an observer records every time a
particular behaviour or “event” occurs, usually in the form of a tally chart.
Extraneous variable
Variables other than the independent variable that have an effect on the dependent variable. For example, if you were testing the effects of anxiety on memory recall, the intelligence levels of the participants could be an extraneous variable.
Face validity
If a test appears to be valid at first appearances, in spite of how well it works in a real world scenario.