Research Methods

Question 1

iv

Answer 1

the variable for which quantities are manipulated by the researcher, and the variable that is assumed to have a direct effect on the dependent variable

Question 2

hypothesis

Answer 2

a testable prediction
about the outcome of an investigation. includes: population, variables, and a prediction about the ‘direction’ of results

Question 3

dv

Answer 3

s the variable the researcher measures in an experiment for changes it may experience due to the effect of the independent variable.

Question 4

ev

Answer 4

any variable that is not the independent variable but may cause an unwanted effect on the dependent variable

Question 5

sampling methods

Answer 5

convenience
random
stratified

Question 6

cv

Answer 6

confounding variable - has directly and systematically
affected the dependent
variable, apart from the
independent variable

Question 7

experimental vs control group

Answer 7

experimental: the group of participants in an experiment who are exposed to a manipulated independent variable
control: the group of participants in an experiment who receive no experimental treatment or intervention in order to serve as a baseline for comparison

Question 8

operationalised definition + examples

Answer 8

in depth, specific

Question 9

aim

Answer 9

an aim is a statement outlining the purpose of the investigation

Question 10

research question

Answer 10

a question that a study or experiment aims to answer

Question 11

scientific method

Answer 11

theory, hypothesis, research, conclusion

Question 12

theory

Answer 12

A theory is a proposition or set of principles that is used to explain something or make predictions about cause and effect.

Question 13

model

Answer 13

A model is a representation of a concept, process, or behaviour, often made to simplify or make
something easier to understand.

Question 14

operationalised variables

Answer 14

Operationalising variables refers to specifying exactly how the variables will be manipulated or measured in a particular controlled experiment
eg. ‘quality of sleep’, this may be operationalised as ‘the hours of REM, NREM, and total sleep as measured by EEG recordings’

Question 15

controlled variables

Answer 15

variables other than the IV that a researcher holds constant (controls) in an investigation, to ensure that changes in the DV are solely due to changes in the IV. not part of the investigation

Question 16

controlled experiment

Answer 16

a type of investigation which measures the causal relationship between one or more independent variables and a dependent variable, whilst controlling for all
other variables.

Question 17

case study

Answer 17

an in-depth investigation of an individual, group, or particular phenomenon
(activity, behaviour, event, or problem) that contains a real or hypothetical situation and
includes the complexities that would be encountered in the real world

Question 18

correlational study

Answer 18

a type of non-experimental study in which researchers observe and measure the relationship between two or more variables without any active control or manipulation of them. variables are only measured and not manipulated

Question 19

classification

Answer 19

the arrangement of phenomena, objects, or events into manageable sets

Question 20

identification

Answer 20

a process of recognition of phenomena as belonging to particular sets or possibly being part of a new or unique set

Question 21

fieldwork

Answer 21

any research involving observation and interaction with people and environments in real-world settings, conducted beyond the laboratory

Question 22

literature view

Answer 22

the process of collating and analysing secondary data related to other people’s scientific findings and/or viewpoints, in order to answer a question or provide
background information to help explain observed events, or as preparation for an investigation to generate primary data

Question 23

modelling

Answer 23

the construction and/or manipulation of either a physical model, such as
a small- or large-scale representation of an object, or a conceptual model that represents a system, involving concepts that help people know, understand, or simulate the system.

Question 24

simulation

Answer 24

the process of using a model to study the behaviour of a real or theoretical system. Simulations are useful for understanding how different variables operate in a system

Question 25

Product, process, or system development

Answer 25

the design or evaluation of an artefact, process, or system to meet a human need, which may involve
technological applications, in addition to scientific knowledge and procedures

Question 26

designs in controlled experiments

Answer 26

within subjects: participants complete every experimental condition

between subjects: individuals are divided into
different groups and complete only one experimental condition

mixed design: s of within-subjects and between-subjects designs. This allows experimenters to note differences that occur within
each experimental group over time, and also compare differences across experimental groups

Question 27

allocation

Answer 27

the process of assigning participants to experimental conditions or groups

Question 28

pseudoscience

Answer 28

 beliefs,
theories, and practices
that are mistakenly
regarded as, or claim to
be scientific, but are not
because they do not use
the methods of science