Research Methods Flashcards
Population
A group of people who are the focus of the researcher’s interests, from which a smaller sample is drawn
Sample
A group of people who take part in a research investigation. The sample is drawn from a target investigation and is presumed to be representative of the population, i.e. it stands ‘fairly’ for the population being studied
What is a Sampling techniques
The method used to select people from the population
Bias in sampling
In the context of sampling, when certain groups are over-or under-represented within the sample selected. For instance, there may be too many younger people or too many people of one ethnic origin in a sample. This limits the extent of which generalizations can be make to the target population
Generalization
The extent to which findings and conclusions from a particular investigation can be broadly applied to the population. This is possible if the sample of participants is representative of the target population
What is an experimental method
Involves the manipulation of an IV to measure the effect on the DV
Types of experimental methods
- lab
- field
- natural
- quasi
What is the aim
A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate
The purpose of the study
What is a hypothesis
A clear, precise, testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated
- stated at the outset of any study
What are the types of hypotheses
- experimental
- alternative
- directional
- non-directional
What is a directional hypothesis
States the direction of the difference of relationship
- states how the IV will effect the DV
- only use if there is enough background research to predict the results
What is a non-directional hypothesis
Does not state the direction of the difference of relationship
- will only say that there will be a difference
What is an experimental hypothesis
When an experimental method will be used
What is an alternative hypothesis
When a non-experimental method will be used
- observation
What is the general formula for writing a hypothesis
There will be a significant difference in (DV) between (IV CONDITION 1) and (IV CONDITION 2)
Why do you need both a hypothesis and a null hypothesis
So that at the end you are able to accept and reject one
Why do you operationalize the variables in a hypothesis
- usually what is being tested in not easy to define
- operationalizing variables allows them to be as measurable as possible
- give exact values
What is an independent variable
The part of the investigation that is manipulated by the researcher so that the effect on the DV can be measured
What is the dependant variable
The variable that is being measured by the researcher
- an effect of the DV should be caused by the change in the IV
What is operationalisation
Clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured
What is the formula for a null hypothesis
There will be no significant difference in the (DV) between the (2 IVs), and that any difference seen is DUE TO CHANCE
What are extraneous variables
Any variable, other than the IV, that may effect the DV if it is not controlled
What is a confounding variable
A kind of EV that varies systematically with the IV
- if there is a change in the DV it is due to the IV or confounding variable
What are demand characteristics
Any cue from the researcher/ research situation that may be interpreted by participants as revealing the purpose of the investigation
- may lead to participants changing their behavior