Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

psychology year 1 > research methods > Flashcards

research methods Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards AP® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

Aim

A

A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate. This is the purpose of the study.
E.g. An investigation into how colour of text affects recall of words.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Hypothesis

A

A clear, precise and testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated.
e.g. words will take longer to recall if they are presented in the same colour as the meaning of the word.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Variables

A

A factor that can change in an investigation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Independent Variable (IV)

A

An aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher or changes naturally so the effect on the DV can be measured.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Dependent Variable (DV)

A

The variable that is measured by the researcher. Any result/change on the DV should be caused by the change in the IV.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

directional hypothesis

A

states the kind of difference or relationship between the IV and the DV. It is sometimes called one-tailed hypothesis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

non-directional hypothesis

A

simply predicts that there will be a difference between conditions (but does not predict which direction it will go). It is sometimes called two-tailed hypothesis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Extraneous variables

A

Any variable apart from the IV which can effect the DV if not controlled. However they can be maintained or eliminated.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Confounding Variables

A

A variable apart from the IV which can effect the DV. However it can’t be controlled.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Demand Characteristics

A

Any cue from the researcher or research situation that can be interpreted by participants as revealing the purpose of the investigation leading them to changing their behaviour.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Experimenter Effects

A

Where the experimenter changes a persons views usually sub-consciously through body language.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How can we control extraneous and confounding variables?

A
  1. Standardisation
    -All participants should be subject to the same experimental condition (i.e. environment, time etc).
    -Standardised instructions (scripted/recorded).
  2. Randomisation
    -Using chance in order to control for the effects of bias in an experiment.
    -E.g. Randomly allocating questions to participants.
    Conditions could be randomly allocated.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Participants

A

people who take part in research.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Population

A

the group of people from whom the sample is drawn.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Bias

A

when certain groups are under- or over-represented in a sample (not representative).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Random Sampling

A

Every member of the target population has an equal chance of being chosen.
1.Compile a list of all target population.
2.Assign each name a number.
3.Select sample using a random number generator (e.g. computer or draw from a hat).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

advantages of random sampling

A

+No researcher bias.
+Confounding variables should be distributed evenly – improves validity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

disadvantages of random sampling

A

-Difficult to get a complete list of target population.
-Time consuming.
-Participants may refuse to take part.
-May randomly draw a non-representative sample.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Systematic Sampling

A

Every nth member of the target population is selected (e.g. every 5th person on the register).
1.Create a list of the target population in an order (e.g. alphabetical) – this is the sampling frame.
2.Take a sample from this list.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

advantages of systematic sampling

A

+Objective - avoids researcher bias. Researcher has no influence once system is chosen.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

disadvantages of systematic sampling

A

-Could still draw a non-representative sample.
-Time consuming and costly.
-Participants may refuse to take part.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Stratified Sampling

A

Composition of the sample reflects proportions of certain subgroups in the target population.
1.Identify different subgroups in the population.
2.Work out proportion of each group.
3.Participants in each sub group are selected randomly in the same proportions as the target population.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

advantages of systematic sampling

A

+Avoids researcher bias.
+More representative of the whole population so findings are more generalizable.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

disadvantages of systematic sampling

A

-Stratification is never perfect. Complete representation of population is not possible.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Opportunity Sampling

A

Sample from people who are available and willing when the study is carried out (e.g. psychology undergraduates).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

advantages of opportunity sampling

A

+Quick
+Convenient
+Less costly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

disadvantages of opportunity sampling

A

-Unrepresentative of the target population – cannot generalise.
-Researcher controls selection so may avoid certain people – researcher bias.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Volunteer Sampling

A

Self-selected sampling – participants become part of the study when asked or in response to an advert.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

advantages of volunteer sampling

A

+Convenient.
+Less time consuming.
+No researcher bias.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

disadvantages of volunteer sampling

A

-Often unrepresentative. Volunteers may have similar profile (e.g. people with spare time)
– volunteer bias.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

name three experimental designs

A

independent groups, matched pairs and repeated measures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Independent Groups

A

-Participants only take part in one condition.
-Requires a separate group for each condition (e.g. control & experimental requires 2 groups.
-Results for each group are then compared, usually by comparing mean results.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

advantages of independent groups

A

+Avoids order effects.
+Reduces demand characteristics (from guessing the aim).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

disadvantages of independent groups

A

-Needs lots of participants – costly.
-Differences between groups (participant variables) may affect the result.
(Random allocation can help to overcome this.)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Order Effects

A

When the order of the conditions in an experiment has an effect on participant behaviour.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Repeated Measures

A

-Participants take part in all conditions.
-Everyone experiences the control and the experimental condition.
-Results for the two conditions are then compared.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

advantages of repeated measures

A

+Avoids participant variables as everyone does all conditions.
+Fewer people needed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

disadvantage of repeated measures

A

-Order effects more likely. Requires counterbalancing.
-Demand characteristics more likely as participants are more likely to guess the aim.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Counterbalancing

A

An attempt to control order effects in a repeated measures design
e.g. ABBA where when group does the experimental condition first where as the other does the control condition.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Matched Pairs

A

-Participants are matched in each condition for any characteristics that may affect performance. E.g. age, gender, IQ.
-Results are compared between members of each pair.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

advantages of matched pairs

A

+Reduces participant variables.
+Reduces order effects and demand characteristics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

disadvantages of matched pairs

A

-Very time-consuming (costly)
-Impossible to match pairs exactly (even for twins). May be unexpected confounding variables.

43
Q

Lab Experiment

A

an experiment carried out in a controlled setting.Participants know they are being studied.

44
Q

Advantages of a Lab Experiment

A

+ Can establish cause and effect
+ Few if any extraneous variables
+Easy to replicate
+High internal validity

45
Q

Disadvantages of a Lab Experiment

A
  • Lacks ecological / external validity
  • Demand characteristics can occur
  • Behaviour in a lab is often different
  • Experimenter effects can occur
46
Q

Field Experiment

A

an experiment conducted outside of the lab but the IV is still manipulated. Participants usually unaware that they are being studied.

47
Q

Advantages of a Field Experiment

A

+ More ecologically/externally valid
+ Fewer demand characteristics
+Replication can occur to some extent
+ Fewer experimenter effects

48
Q

Disadvantages of a Field Experiment

A
  • Chance of extraneous variables
  • More time consuming
  • Ethical issues (informed consent)
  • Need a skilled researcher
49
Q

Natural Experiment

A

an experiment in which the experimenter has not manipulated the independent variable directly.

50
Q

Advantages of a Natural Experiment

A

+ No demand characteristics
+ No researcher effects
+ Fewer ethical issues
+ Allows participants who wouldn’t normally be tested to take part.

51
Q

Disadvantages of a Natural Experiment

A
  • Lack of control (extraneous variables)
  • Short term behaviour may be displayed
  • No random allocation can create confounding variables
  • Harder to replicate
52
Q

Quasi Experiment

A

studies that are almost experiments. The IV doesn’t vary- its a set condition that exists.

53
Q

advantage of quasi experiment

A

+Carried out in controlled environment – shares strengths of lab experiments

54
Q

disadvantage of quasi experiment

A

-Cannot randomly allocate participants to a condition, like natural experiment - may be confounding variables.

55
Q

pilot studies

A

-a small scale trial run of a study, completed before the actual research
-can check methodology to highlight what isn’t working
-you can then change things without it affecting your actual study
-results of the pilot study are irrelevant

56
Q

why do people use pilot studies?

A

-check if the IV is manipulated correctly
-check if the measure of the DV is correct
-check if the measure is appropriate and if people understand it
-avoid wasting time and money

57
Q

BPS

A

British Psychological Society

58
Q

Deception

A

Information is withheld from participants: they misled about the purpose of the study and what will happen during it.

59
Q

Right to Withdraw

A

Participants should be told this at the start of the research. No attempt should be made to encourage them to remain.

60
Q

Protection from harm

A

Participants should not be put through anything they wouldn’t normally be expected to.

61
Q

Debrief

A

Researchers should discuss the aims of the research with the participants making sure they know how they’ve contributed to meeting the aims

62
Q

Privacy

A

Participants’ right to privacy must be maintained.
We should only observe people where they would expect to be observed by others in public places.

63
Q

Confidentiality

A

Information about our participants is protected by the Data Protection Act.
Participants must not be identifiable in published research.
Participants are given numbers or referred to by code or their initials.

64
Q

Dealing With Informed Consent

A

-Participants issued with a consent letter or form detailing all relevant information that might affect their decision to participate.
-If under 16 parents need to sign

65
Q

What if getting consent would ruin your study…?

A

-Presumptive consent
-Prior general consent
-Retrospective consent

66
Q

Single Blind Procedure

A

-Participant does not know which experimental condition they are in.
-Limits demand characteristics

67
Q

Double Blind Procedure

A

-Participant and researcher do not know which experimental condition the participant is exposed to (another researcher oversees the investigation).
-Limits demand characteristics and removes researcher bias

68
Q

Observational Techniques:Naturalistic

A

-Watching/recording behaviour in the setting where it would normally take place.
-All aspects of the environment are free to vary.

69
Q

evaluation of naturalistic

A

+More external validity.
+Findings can be generalised to real life.
-Replication is difficult

70
Q

Observational Techniques:Controlled

A

-Watching/recording behaviour within a structured environment where variables are managed.
-Control over variables and also extraneous variables.

71
Q

evaluation of controlled

A

+Replication easy due to control
-Lacks ecological validity
-Cannot be generalised to real-life situation

72
Q

Observational Techniques:Covert

A

-Participants’ behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge or consent.

73
Q

evaluation of covert

A

+Removed participant reactivity
+Increased validity
-Ethical Issues

74
Q

Observational Techniques:Overt

A

-Participants’ behaviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge or consent.

75
Q

evaluation of overt

A

+Ethically acceptable
-Could increase participant reactivity.

76
Q

Observational Techniques:Participant

A

-Researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour they are observing.

77
Q

evaluation of participant

A

+Researchers experience the whole situation – gives them insight.
-Lose objectivity

78
Q

Observational Techniques:Non-participant

A

-Researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour they are observing.

79
Q

evaluation of non participant

A

+Maintain objective in observations
-May lose insight due to being ‘on the outside.’

80
Q

Recording Observations:Unstructured

A

Write down everything the observer sees.
Provides rich detail… often too much.

81
Q

evaluation of unstructured

A

-Produce qualitative data, more difficult to record and analyse.
+richer data
-higher risk of observer bias.

82
Q

Recording Observations:Structured

A

Target behaviours for a main focus.
Allows the researcher to quantify their observations using a pre-determined list of behaviours and sampling methods.

83
Q

evaluation of structured

A

+Use of behavioural categories make the recording easier and more systematic.
+Data more likely to be numerical - analysis is more straightforward.

84
Q

Sampling Methods:Event sampling +evaluation

A

counting the number of times a particular behaviour occurs.
+Useful when the target behaviour or event happens quite infrequently and could be missed if time sampling was used.

85
Q

sampling methods:time sampling +evaluation

A

recording behaviour with a pre-established time frame.
-Effective in reducing the number of observations that have to be made.

86
Q

what are Questionnaires

A

-Set of written questions used to assess a person’s thoughts and/or experiences.
-May be used to assess the DV.

87
Q

what are open questions ?

A

-Provide qualitative data- hard to analyse but provides rich data.
-Allow people to give opinions and feelings.

88
Q

what are closed questions?

A

-Fixed choice (yes/no, tick boxes)
-Provides quantitative data- easy to analyse.

89
Q

strengths of questionnaires

A

+Cost effective
+Large amounts of data
+Easy to distribute to large numbers of people
+Easy to analyse data (normally)

90
Q

weaknesses of questionnaires

A

-Demand characteristics
-Response biases

91
Q

different type of questionnaire designs

A

-Likert
-rating
-fixed questions

92
Q

interviews: structured

A

Pre-determined questions asked in a fixed order.

93
Q

interviews:semi-structured

A

Likely to experience in everyday
life, list of questions that have been decided but also free to expand (job interview)

94
Q

interviews: unstructured

A

Works like a conversation, no set questions, interviewee encouraged to expand on questions.

95
Q

evaluation of structured interviews

A

+easy to replicate due to standardised format
+reduces differences between interviewers
-not possible to debate topic

96
Q

evaluation of unstructured interviews

A

+gives more insight due to flexibility
-analysis of data is hard (qualitative)
-social desirability
-drawing conclusions may be difficult

97
Q

what does a correlation illustrate?

A

strengths and direction of association between two or more co-variables.

98
Q

Positive Correlation

A

As one co-variable increases, the other co-variable also increases.

99
Q

Negative Correlation

A

As one co-variable increases, the other co-variable decreases.

100
Q

Testing the strength of a correlation

A

calculate a correlation coefficient to show how strong the association is between two co-variables.

101
Q

what does a correlation co efficient do?

A

enables us to see the direction of the correlation and how strong the correlation is.

102
Q

what are the strengths of correlations?

A

+Useful as a preliminary tool to assess the strength of a relationship.
+May suggest ideas for later research
+Quick and economical to carry out

103
Q

what are the weaknesses of correlations?

A

-Cannot demonstrate cause and effect
-Third variable problem (intervening variable)
-Can be misinterpreted or misused to peoples advantage

psychology year 1 (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions