Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psychology > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards AP® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

What are independent, dependant and control variables?

A 
IV = change
DV = measure
CV = keep same
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are extraneous variables?

A

factors that affect IV and DV, situational conditions and participants variables

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Situational variables

A

Environment = light, noise, temperature, distractions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Participant variables

A

associated with abilities, attributes and tendencies

e.g. - personality type, physical ability, substance tolerance, memory ability, life experiences, mood, upbringing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Controlling extraneous variables

A

silence to prevent noise

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Controlling situational variables

A

repeat study same for everyone
randomisation
counterbalancing = equal amount of participants doing first and second condition of study
single and double blind

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Controlling participant variables

A

same participants in both conditions of study
use different participants but match important characteristics
random allocation = not bias, prevent certain type of person in one condition of study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Null hypothesis

A

the result of outcome will have no effect or very little effect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Alternative experimental hypotheses

A

prediction of the expected outcome of the study
directional = expected direction results will go can be predicted
non directional = a difference or relationship will be found, but does not state what the difference or relationship will be
experimental hypothesis = laboratory or field

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Random Sampling

A 
\+equal chance of being selected
\+helps control participant variable
\+unbias
-participants still have to agree to take part
-less representative
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Stratified sampling

A

technique which ensures subgroups of the target population are proportionately represented in a sample
+useful to include certain type of people
+representative
-time-consuming
-sample error (can refuse to take part)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Volunteer sampling

A 
\+minimal error
\+ethical
\+can be done online
\+easy to get large number / certain type
\+avoids peer pressure
-not representative
-can be biased
-unreliable = only some personality types want to participate in study
-not everyone will see advert
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Opportunity sampling

A 
recruits participants who are readily available at the time (e.g. asking people on the street to partake)
\+quick
\+easy/simple
-biasty
-findings may differ at different times
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

three types of research and experimental designs

A

independent measures of design
repeated measures of design
matched pairs design

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Independent measures of design

A 
participants are split into groups, each tested in 1 condition
\+no order effects
\+only take part in 1 condition of study
-more participants needed
-individual differences between groups
control by randomly allocating
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Repeated measures of design

A

same participants used in all conditions of study
+fewer participants = more economical
+no individual differences
-participants are more able to guess aim
-results may reflect practice of fatigue
control by counterbalancing or randomisation

17
Q

Matched pairs design

A

different participants used in each condition of study, matched for likeness on important characteristics
+fair comparisons
+equally matched
-time-consuming
-all characteristics can be equally matched

18
Q

What is reliability

A

consistency of an outcome or result

trust in the findings

19
Q

Reliability in sampling methods

A

biased

findings can differ if study is replicated

20
Q

Reliability in experimental designs

A

participants differ between conditions
variability between groups
unreiable

21
Q

What is validity

A

extent to which a study measures what intends to measure

22
Q

Validity in sampling methods

A

sample errors occur then the findings o research are untrue of target population

23
Q

Validity in experimental design

A

way in which participants are allocated to the conditions of the study
affect validity
repeated measures design is used and order effects are shown
outcome may be result of practice or fatigue and not the intended variable being investigated

24
Q

Reliability and validity in Qualitative methods

A

which ideas and theories emerge
case studies, unstructured interviews and participant observation
behaviour from the perspective of participants
not easy to replicate
not produce reliable findings
limits the generalisability of the findings
researcher can become very involved in investigation and close to their participants
researcher bias
triangulation to ensure they do not lose their professional objectivity

25
Q

Reliability and validity of quantitative methods

A

scientific route of enquiry
hypothesis to test a theory
questionnaires and observations
facts and measure behaviour applied to target population = generalisable
objective and less open to researcher bias

26
Q

Ethical issues in psychological research

A

respect age, ability, gender, sexuality, religion and culture
have right to withdraw
scientific integrity = conduct well-designed research and not claim misleading findings
social responsibility = produce beneficial findings
maximising benefit and harm = not places in unordinary situation, safeguard participants and minimise risk

27
Q

Factors that must be included in experiments for ethics

A

1) Informed consent
2) Deception
3) Confidentiality
4) Right to withdraw
5) Protection of participants

28
Q

Different types of experiments

A

Laboratory experiment = controlled environment
= studying types of behaviour and ability -> memory or reaction
Field experiment = natural environment, examines naturally occurring variable in real-life situation -> conformity and obedience
=control over extraneous variables
Natural experiment = real-life environment, do not manipulate IV as it occurs naturally

29
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of laboratory experiments

A

+ high levels of control
+ validity
- unnatural environment
- invited to experiment so they may display demand characteristics
- reductionist = ignored other variables that could be involved

30
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of field experiment

A

+ conduct in naturalistic environment = behaviour is natural
+ cause and effect between IV and DV = extraneous variables controlled
- extraneous variables controlled in real-life environment
- participants may be unaware of taking part so researchers may not have gained informed consent

31
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of natural experiment

A

+IV naturally occurs
+environment is real and naturalistic
-not possibly to randomly allocate participants to conditions
-extraneous variables difficult to control

32
Q

Different types of interviews

A

structured = pre-set questions
= respondents asked same questions in the same way and order
= number of interviewers are required to get information from lots of respondents
semi-structured = pre-set questions, open-ended, thoughts and beliefs
unstructured = no pre-set questions or schedule to folllow
=conversation can go anywhere
=open ended
=in depth information

33
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of structured interviews

A 
\+ lots of in depth information
\+ quick
\+ easy to replicate
\+ researchers need little training
- only access superficial information
- do not allow respondents to answer freely
34
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of semi-structured interviews

A

+ freedom to answer in their own way

- time-consuming

35
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of unstructured interviews

A 
\+ gather in-depth information
\+ free to explore beliefs and attitudes
- time consuming
-need well-trained interviewers
-impossible to replicate
36
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of questionnaires

A 
\+ inexpensive
\+ large sample
\+ ethical
\+ not affected by interviewer
- response rate is slow
- people may not have time
- inclination to complete and return questionnaire
37
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of closed and open ended questionnaires

A

Closed-ended:
+ quantitative data
+ easy to analyse
- right option may not be available

Open-ended:
- more difficult to analyse because they produce qualitative data
+offer more freedom

38
Q

Strengths and weaknesses if correlations

A

+ cheaper
+ less time-consuming
+ useful when studying an unethical topic
+ compare co-variables rather than manipulate behaviour
+ less interventionist
+ more ethical
-cause and effect cannot be established

Psychology (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions