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A-level Psychology > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Experiment

A

An investigation looking for a casual relationship in which an independent variable is manipulated and is expected to be responsible for changes in the dependent variable.

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2
Q

Independent variable

A

The factor under investigation in an experiment which is manipulated to create two or more conditions and is expected to be responsible for changes in the dependent variable

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3
Q

Dependent variable

A

The factor in an experiment which is measured and is expected to change under the influence of the independent variable

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4
Q

Extraneous variable

A

A variable which either acts randomly, affecting the DV in all levels of the IV or systematically
i.e on one level of the IV so can obscure the effect of the IV, making the results difficult to interpret

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5
Q

Experimental condition

A

One or more of the situations in an experiment which represent different levels of the IV and are compared

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6
Q

Control condition

A

A level of the IV in an experiment from which the IV is absent. It is compared to one or more experimental conditions

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7
Q

Laboratory experiment

A

A research method in which there is an IV, DV and strict controls. It looks for a casual relationship and is conducted in a setting that is not in the usual environment for the participants with regard to the behaviour they are performing

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8
Q

Experimental design

A

The way in which participants are allocated to levels of the IV

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9
Q

Independent measures design

A

An experimental design in which a different group of participants is used for each level of the IV

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10
Q

Demand characteristics

A

Features of the experimental situation which give away the aims. They can cause participants to try change behaviour.
E.g. to match the beliefs about what is supposed to happen, which reduces the validity of the study

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11
Q

Random allocation

A

A way to reduce the effect of confounding variables such as individual differences. Participants are put in each level of the IV such that each person has an equal chance of being in any condition.

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12
Q

Repeated measures design

A

An experimental design in which each participant performs in every level of the IV

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13
Q

Participant variables

A

Individual differences between participants (age, personality, intelligence) that could affect their behaviour in a study. They could hide or exaggerate differences between levels of IV.

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14
Q

Order effects

A

Practise and fatigue effects are the consequences of participating in a study more than once

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15
Q

Practise effects

A

A situation where participants’ performance improves because they experience the experimental task more than once.
Due to familiarity or learning the task

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16
Q

Fatigue effect

A

A situations where participants’ performance declines because they have experienced a task more than once
Due to boredom or tiredness

17
Q

Randomisation

A
18
Q

Counterbalancing

A

The participant sample is divided in half, with one half completing the two conditions in order and the other half in reverse
- used to cover come order effects in a repeated measures deign
- (ABBA design)

19
Q

Why is informed consent important in psychological research

A

So the participants are told enough about the study to decide if they want to do it or not

20
Q

Why is it sometimes necessary to break the guideline of informed consent

A
  • reduce demand characteristics
  • less likely to work out aim
  • don’t try to do what research wants
  • so findings are more realistic
  • so changes in behaviour are due to the IV
21
Q

Describe semi-structured interview

A
  • face to face/in real time
  • some questions are fixed
  • some questions are flexible, interviewer can decide what to ask, question depends on interviewee’s responses
22
Q

Advantages of structured interview

A
  • fixed questions - more consistent
    —> results are more reliable
  • every interviewer will ask same questions
    —> high inter-rater reliability
  • all ppts produce comparable data
    —> easier to analyse results
23
Q

Identify how one control group in Laney was different from an experimental group

A

Group not given critical item about loving asparagus

Experiment 1 - “you loved to eat cooked asparagus”
Experiment 2 - “you loved asparagus the first time you ate it”

24
Q

Why are control groups important in psychological research

A
  • ensures comparison
  • show IV had an effect
  • casual relationship can be identified
25
Q

Why do psychologist operationally define the IV and DV in experiments

A
  • operationalisation helps to make replication possible
  • operationalisation of the IV - make way experimental conditions have been set up clear
  • operationalisation of DV - clear about how IV is measured
  • improved reliability - all researchers measure DV consistently
26
Q

How to obtain a wide range or ppts

A
  • random sampling
    —> e.g. random number generator (be specific to question)
  • volunteers from may different places
27
Q

Importance of getting a wide range of ppts

A
  • generalisability —> represent wider population
  • apply to others (specific to q)
28
Q

Field experiment

A
  • look for casual relationship
  • IV manipulated, expected to be responsible for changes to the DV
  • conducted in natural environment for ppts for behaviour being studied
29
Q

Natural experiment

A
  • looks for casual relationship
  • IV can’t be directly manipulated by experimenter
  • study effect of an existing difference or change
  • not a true experiment - researcher can’t manipulated IV
30
Q

Questionnaire

A

A research method that uses written questions

31
Q

Interview

A
  • use it verbal questions
  • asked directly (face to face/phone)
32
Q

Case study

A
  • detailed investigation of a single instance (usually one person - sometimes single family or institution)
  • detailed insight into unique behaviour
  • use many research methods
33
Q

Observation

A

A-level Psychology (7 decks)

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