Research methods Flashcards
what is an aim?
a general expression of what the researcher intends to investigate
independent variable definition
(IV)
aspect of experiment that researcher changes or manipulates
dependent variable definition
(DV)
the data researcher measures effected by the IV
extraneous variable definition
other than the IV factors that may effect the DV
- to be controlled
what is meant by operationalisation?
to make the hypothesis testable and measureable
what is a hypothesis?
a prediction or a testable statement about what the researcher thinks will happen
null hypothesis
~predicts NO difference or relationship between groups/conditions
~if different its due to change
alternative hypothesis
~PREDICTS A DIFFERENCE or relationship between groups/conditions
directional hypothesis
(one-tailed)
~predicts A DIFFERENCE or relationship between the conditions and STATES the DIRECTION of the difference
~IF previous research has been done use this
non-directional hypothesis
(two-tailed)
~predicts A DIFFERENCE or relationship between groups/conditions but DO NOT STATE the DIRECTION of the difference.
~if NO previous research has been done, use this
types of experiments:
lab, field, natural, quasi
key points of a lab experiment
~artificial environment
~controlled and standardised procedures
~researcher manipulates IV
~ppts KNOW they are in the experiment/study
key points of a field experiment
~IV is still manipulated
~natural environment
~ppts usually DON’T KNOW they’re in the study
key points of a natural experiment
~natural environment
~IV is NATURALLY OCCURING
e.g. natural disasters, introduction of TV, twin studies
key points of a quasi experiment
~either lab or natural environment
~IV is something that occurs within the person (characteristics)
~NOT true experiments –> cannot randomly allocate
what is meant by a standardised procedure?
ensuring that all ppts are treated in exactly the same way
–> reliable methodology
What is meant by reliability?
It’s consistency
Internal validity
The extent to which it was the IV alone that caused a change to the DV
Ecological validity
The extent to which the results can be generalised to another setting (e.g. real life)
Mundane realism
The extent to which the task is representative of that behaviour in the real world
Demand characteristics
- Cues in the environment that may reveal the aim of the experiment (to participant(s))
- ppts change their behaviour as a result
