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Psychology Year 1 > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Reliability

A

Consistency in results

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2
Q

Validity

A

Testing what the hypothesis claims (true to your prediction)

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3
Q

Paradigm

A

The basic assumptions and methods of a study (accepted by members of a group)

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4
Q

Paradigm shifts

A

When an important change in basic concepts and experimental practices of a scientific discipline occur

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5
Q

Objectivity

A

Unbiased by the researcher

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6
Q

Replicability

A

To repeat research and get the same findings using a standardised, controlled approach

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7
Q

Falsifiability

A

A theory is only scientific if it is possible to establish as false - if they survive attempts to falsify they are strong theories

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8
Q

Empirical method

A

Using a procedure that means you are only measuring what can be directly observed

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9
Q

Nominal data

A

Data in named categories, eg. Tall, Short

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10
Q

Ordinal data

A

Data ordered in some form, eg. 1st, 2nd

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11
Q

Interval data

A

Data measured using units of equal intervals

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12
Q

Ratio data

A

Data measured using units of equal intervals, not passing 0

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13
Q

Lab experiments

A

Iv manipulated, high controlled setting preventing the influence of extraneous variables
Strengths: cause and effect can be established
Weaknesses: low ecological validity - can’t be generalised to real life
increased chance of demand characteristics

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14
Q

Field experiments

A

Iv manipulated, naturalistic setting
Strengths: less change of experiment effects on results
high ecological validity
Weaknesses: ethical issues with a lack of consent
less control over extraneous variables

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15
Q

Natural experiments

A

Iv cannot be manipulated, dv is simply measured and judged as the effect of the iv
Strengths: high ecological validity
demand characteristics are often not an issue
Weaknesses: sample bias as participants can’t be randomly allocated to a condition
ethical issues with a lack of informed consent

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16
Q

Quasi experiments

A

Iv is naturally occurring and pre-determined, the iv is a difference between participants that already exists
Strengths: high ecological validity - the iv is naturally occurring so generalisable to real life
Weaknesses: low internal validity - lack of control over extraneous variables so the researcher can’t always accurately assess the effects of the iv - issues with cause and effect
non-replicable because reliability can’t be checked

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17
Q

Hypotheses

A

A clear, concise, testable statement that suggests the relationship between independent and dependent variables to be investigated (written in future tense)

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18
Q

Null hypotheses

A

Predicts there will be no difference/ correlation found in the results

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19
Q

Experimental hypotheses

A

Predicts there will be a significant difference/ correlation in the results between the two conditions

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20
Q

One tailed/ directional

A

States the iv with affect the dv in a specific direction (prediction can be made with previous evidence)

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21
Q

Two tailed/ non-directional

A

States there will be a difference found between the conditions of the independent variable, however the direction is not stated (no previous evidence)

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22
Q

Independent measures

A

Each participant is selected randomly for one condition only

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23
Q

Repeated measures

A

The same participants take part in both conditions

24
Q

Match pairs

A

Participants are matched in pairs based on a shared characteristic, one member of each pair is placed in a separate condition

25
Q

Mean

A

All scores are added together and divided by the total number of scores

26
Q

Median

A

The middle value found in an ordered set of data

27
Q

Mode

A

The most frequent value in a set of data

28
Q

Range

A

The difference between the highest and lowest score
Strengths: easy to calculate
Weaknesses: distorted by extreme values

29
Q

Standard deviation

A

A measure of the spread of score around the mean
Strengths: more precise
Weaknesses: may hide the characteristics of the data

30
Q

Histograms

A

Represents continuous data on interval and ratio scales, bars represent each score of a group of scores, height of each bar represents the frequency, bars should touch

31
Q

Scattergraphs

A

Used with correlational analysis, for each individual two scores are obtained to plot one dot, co-variables determine the x and y position of the dot, the scatter of the dots indicates the degree of correlation between the co-variables

32
Q

Bar charts

A

Used when data is nominal, or to represent the average score of different groups, each bar is separate on the x-axis

33
Q

Line graphs

A

Represents continuous data, uses points connected by lines to show how something changes in value over time, typically iv on x-axis and dv on y-axis

34
Q

Operationalising

A

Making variables measurable

35
Q

Extraneous variables

A

Anything other than the iv that has the potential to affect the results: participant, situational, investigator effects, demand characteristics

36
Q

Naturalistic vs controlled observations

A

Naturalistic- Observes naturally occurring behaviour
The situation is not manipulated
Produces data with high ecological validity
Controlled- Observes behaviour in a prepared situation created by the researcher
No manipulation of variables
The researcher does not interfere in anyway

37
Q

Participation vs non-participant observation

A

Participant- being involved in the observation group activities
Non- participant- observing the group from an outsider perspective

38
Q

Disclosed vs undisclosed observation

A

Disclosed- participants are aware of their observation
Undisclosed- participants are unaware

39
Q

Structured vs unstructured observation

A

Structured- events are observed in their natural setting and by an independent researcher
Unstructured- researcher records all relevant behaviour without a system

40
Q

Methods of recording behaviour

A

Tally chart
Time sampling
Event sampling

41
Q

Double blind technique

A

Neither the researcher or participant is aware of which condition they are in

42
Q

Pilot study

A

A small-scale preliminary study conducted to evaluate the performance of the study’s design

43
Q

Operational definitions

A

A description that defines a measure to such a degree that everyone collects data the same way

44
Q

Inter-observer reliability

A

The observers agree prior to the observation on the operationalised definition of the behaviour. The observers independently rate the behaviour and compare their results using correlations analysis

45
Q

Overt vs covert observations

A

Overt- participants are aware they are being observed, their is no deception
Covert- the researcher is undercover and the participants are unaware they are being observed

46
Q

Evaluation of observational studies:

A

Pros- high ecological validity
allows us to study variable usually too unethical to manipulate
Cons- difficult to replicate
unethical as participants are unaware they are being observed- no consent
observer bias
time consuming and requiring careful preparation

47
Q

Counterbalancing

A

Half the participants take part in condition A followers by condition B and vise versa.

48
Q

Pilot study

A

A small scale version of the full research prior to practice their observation technique and check inter-observer reliability.

49
Q

Semi-structured interview

A

Interviewers prepare a set of questions which they can adapt and refine dependant on the responses of the interviewee.

50
Q

Structured interview

A

Interviewer will ask a series of prepared closed questions in order to gain quantitative data

51
Q

Correlations

A

Look for a relationship
Have two co variables (not an IV and DV)
Do not use an experimental design
Plotted on a scattergraph

52
Q

Case study

A

In-depth analysis of one person/group/event
Information is obtained from a range of sources: interviews, questionnaires and observations

53
Q

Content analysis

A

Process whereby qualitative information can be systematically converted into qualitative data
It involves analysing transcripts in order to observe patterns and trends within the material

54
Q

Thematic analysis

A

An alternative method of analysing qualitative data
Rather than converting into quantitative form, in thematic analysis the data remains of a qualitative nature

55
Q

Aim

A

Give the research study a clear focus
A general statement outlining what the research intends to investigate

Psychology Year 1 (1 decks)

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