Research Methods Flashcards
What is the independent and dependant variable?
The independent variable is manipulated to see how it effects the dependant variable
What is an extraneous variable?
Something other than the independent variable that effects the dependant variable
What is a confounding variable?
unexpected events which adds a second unintended independent variable
What is meant by demand characteristics?
when participants try to guess the aims of the study and act in accordance to their assumption
What are investigator effects?
unwanted influences from the investigator on the participants
What is randomisation?
using chance methods to restrict researcher bias
What is standardisation?
all participants should experience the same level of control
What are the four research issues?
Extraneous variables
Confounding variables
Demand characteristics
Investigator effects
What are the three experimental designs?
independent groups
Repeated measures
Matched pairs
What are independent groups?
two separate groups experience two different conditions E.G. a control group and an experimental group
What are repeated measures?
all participants experience both conditions of the experiment
What are matched pairs?
participants are paired together based on variables relevant to the experiment
What are the four types of experiments?
Laboratory
Field
Natural
Quasi
What is a laboratory experiment?
highly controlled environments
What is a Field experiment?
IV is manipulated in a natural everyday setting
What is a natural experiment?
researcher has no control over the IV and can not change it
What is a Quasi experiment?
IV is based on existing differences between people
Outline a random sample
participants are chosen randomly
What is a stratified sample?
the participants reflect a target population
What is a systematic sample?
every nth number of the target population is elected
What is an opportunity sample?
anyone who is willing and available
What is a volunteer sample?
Participants select themselves to be a part of the study
What are the five sample types in choosing participants for a study?
Random
Systematic
Stratified
Opportunity
Volunteer
Name the four ethical considerations a researcher must consider
Informed consent
Freedom from harm
Privacy and Confidentiality
Deception
What is a pilot study?
Smaller version of an actual investigation
What is the difference between a single-blind and a double-blind pilot study?
Single-blind = participants are unaware
Double-blind = researcher and participants are unaware
What is a naturalistic and controlled observation?
Observations are done in the behaviours usual environment with the observer being concealed
What is a Covert and overt observations?
Covert = Participants are unaware they are being observed
Overt = participants are aware they are being observed
What are participant and non-participant observations?
participant observations = researcher is part of the study
non-participant = researcher is separate from the study
What is meant by inter-observer reliability?
multiple researchers record data in order to increase reliability of the findings
What is qualitative data?
Small amounts of data but in large detail
What is quantative data?
Large amounts of data in small detail
What is coding and quantitative data?
categorising the mass amount of data into meaningful units
What is Thematic analysis and qualitative data?
Turning qualitative data into quantitative by finding recurring themes
Define reliability
the consistency of results
How can a test-retest improve reliability?
by checking for the same results on a different occasion
What are the three types of validity?
Internal
External
Temporal
What is internal validity?
when the observed effects are due to the IV
What is a type of external validity?
Ecological validity- generalising findings from a study to other settings
What is Temporal validity?
whether or not findings from a particular study hold true over time
What is a paradigm?
a distinctive set of patterns
What is a paradigm shift?
It occurs when too much contradictory evidence exists against something
What is meant by falsifiability?
When findings are challenged and attempted to be proven false
What is replicability?
findings from a study must be repeatable if they are to be trusted
What are order effects?
the way in which questions are ordered can effect the answers
What are the four ethical guidelines outlined by the BPS?
Respect
Integrity
Social responsibility
Maximise benefit and minimise harm
What are the three types of external validity?
Ecological
Temporal
Population
How do you asses external reliability?
test re-test
What is a covert observation?
When participants are unaware they are being observed
What is an overt observation?
The participants are aware that they are being observed
What is concurrent validity?
The level of agreement between two separate results taken at the same time
What is a longitudinal study?
Observing participants over a long period of time
What is meant by standard deviation?
The general spread of data after a study has been conducted
What is Empirical method?
Using scientific method which makes research more valid as it can be repeated
What is Objectivity?
Opposite of subjective, personal preference/beliefs are discarded in order to not hinder research
What is a null hypothesis?
when there is believed to be no difference between the experiments conditions
What is the alternative hypothesis?
States that there will be a relationship between two variables
What is a type 1 error?
When the null hypothesis is rejected and alternative accepted when it should have been the other way round.
What is a type 2 error?
When the alternative hypothesis is rejected and null hypothesis is accepted when it should have been the other way around
What is a one tailed test?
Used for when the hypothesis is directional
What is a two tailed test?
Used when the hypothesis is non-directional
What is an issue with primary data?
Could be expensive as well as needing time and effort
