Research methods Flashcards

Question

Correlational/Relational Research | Qualitative Research

Answer 1

The researcher measures two or more variables without manipulating an independent variable and with little or no attempt to control extraneous variables.

Answer 2

Seeks to establish a causal relationship between two variables (control and dependent variable).

Answer 3

The relationship of cause and effect between one event or action and the result.

Answer 4

- Experiments (Lab/Field/Quasi/Naturalistic) - Case studies - Observations (Overt/Covert/Participant/Non-Participant) - Interviews

Answer 5

A mutual relationship or connection between two or more things.

Answer 6

The independent variable changes the dependent variable

Answer 7

A study that is conducted outside the laboratory in a "real-world" setting.

Answer 8

The researcher manipulates an independent variable but does not randomly assign participants to conditions.

Answer 9

The study of a naturally occurring situation in the real world. The researcher does not manipulate an independent variable or assign participants randomly to conditions

Answer 10

Each participant participates at only one level of the Independent variables - experimental condition. Also called an independent measures design and between-groups design. More than one experimental group is used and participants are only in one group. Each participant is only in one condition of the independent variable

Answer 11

Also called a within groups design. The same participants take part in each condition of the independent variable. This means that each condition of the experiment includes the same group.

Answer 12

Participation in one condition can affect performance in another condition. / Participants might become bored, fatigued, or exhibit the practice effect as a result of the repeated measuring.

Answer 13

A technique used to deal with order effects when using a repeated measures design. When a study is counterbalanced, the sample is divided in half, with one half completing the two conditions in one order and the other half completing the conditions in the reverse order.

Answer 14

- There is no manipulation of an independent variable, hence we can't establish causation. - They do not allow us to study naturally occurring behaviours, often in naturalistic settings. - Don't confuse the research method with observations as a method of field collection. - Some experiments manipulate an Independent variable, and observe how that impacts behaviour.

Answer 15

The people being observed do not know that they are being observed.

Answer 16

The people being watched know that they are being observed.

Answer 17

When participants act differently simply because they know that they are in an experiment.

Answer 18

The researcher(s) insert themselves into the situation they are observing.

Answer 19

The researchers only observe from afar.

Answer 20

In a natural setting (most observations are naturalistic).

Answer 21

In a controlled environment

Answer 22

Whether the research does what it claims to do.

Answer 23

The results can be replicated. Usually used in reference to experimental study. - Lab experiments are reliable experiments - Case study experiments are not reliable and cannot be generalised

Answer 24

When an experiment was conducted using appropriate controls so that it supports the conclusion that the independent variable caused observed differences in the dependent variable.

Answer 25

The extent to which the results of a study can be generalized beyond the sample that was tested.

Answer 26

The degree to which a study consistently measures a variable. For example, if a researcher develops a new questionnaire to evaluate respondents levels of aggression, the construct validity of the instrument would be the extent to which it actually assesses aggression as opposed to assertiveness, social dominance, or irritability.

Answer 27

The degree to which results obtained from research or experimentation are representative of conditions in the wider world. Ecological validity is influenced by the level of control in the environment (hence, ecological).

Answer 28

A measure of linear relationship between 2 variables - Correlation coefficient can vary from -1 to +1 - Correlation close to 0 means there’s no relationship between 2 variables Negative correlation: there’s an inverse relationship between 2 variables, higher the A, lower the B Positive correlation: means a direct relationship; higher the A, higher the Characterised by 2 parameters: - effect size - statistical significance

Answer 29

Includes a fixed list of questions that need to be asked in a fixed order Pros: - useful when research project involves several interviews - it’s essential to ensure that they all conduct interview in a standardised way Cons: - some participants may have unique circumstances/opinions that can’t be accommodated in a structured interview

Answer 30

Don’t specify an order or a particular list of questions - interview guide is like a checklist; interviewer knows there are some questions that must be asked, but there’s flexibility to ask additional follow-up questions Pros: - fits natural flow of conversation better - better suited for smaller research projects - more effective in studying the unique experiences of each participant Cons: - less comparability across researchers and participants

Answer 31

- Is participant-driven - Every next question is determined by interviewee’s answer to the previous one Pros: - Very effective for investigating unique cases or cases where no theoretical expectations exist that would inform wording of the questions Cons: - Most “qualitative” of all 3 types - More time-consuming - Results are more difficult to analyse and interpret

Answer 32

The study of a particular person, group, or situation over a period of time. Case studies are technically not a research method - but a combination of research methods.

Answer 33

A method of controlling extraneous variables across conditions by using a random process lo decide which participants will be in which conditions. This includes random number generators and pulling names out of a hat.

Answer 34

An experiment in which the researchers know which participants are receiving a treatment and which are not; however the participants do not know which condition they are in.

Answer 35

Also called convenience sampling. A sampling technique where participants are selected based on naturally occurring groups or participants who are easily available.

Answer 36

Selecting a sample of participants from a larger potential group of eligible individuals, such that each person has the same fixed probability or being included in the sample.

Answer 37

Also called volunteer sampling. Participants choose to become part of a study because they volunteer responding to an advert or a request to take part in the study.

Answer 38

A method of probability sampling in which the population is divided into different subgroups or "strata" and then a random sample is taken from each "stratum.

Answer 39

Cues that may influence or bias participants' behaviour, for example, by suggesting the outcome or response that the experimenter expects or desires.

Answer 40

When a researcher's expectations about the findings of the research are inadvertently communicated to participants and influence their responses. This distortion of results arises from participants' reactions to subtle cues unintentionally given by the researcher - for example, through body movements, gestures, or facial expressions.

Answer 41

A type of order effect where a participant decreases in performance in later conditions because they are tired or bored with the activity.

Answer 42

A type of order effect where the first condition may influence the outcome of the second condition, For example, when giving to sets of words to remember, when a participant remembers a word from the first condition when trying to recall words in the second condition.

Answer 43

The participants and the situation studied are representative of everyday life. If a study is highly artificial, It is said to lack mundane realism.

Answer 44

The rate at which participants drop out of a study over time. This often occurs when research has many steps or takes place over a long period of time.

Answer 45

A beneficial effect produced by a placebo drug or treatment. which cannot be attributed to the properties of the placebo itself, and must, therefore, be due to the patient's belief in that treatment.

Answer 46

A type of order effect where a participant improves in performance in later conditions because practice has led to the development of skill or learning.

Answer 47

Error that is due to chance alone. Random errors occur when unexpected or uncontrolled factors affect the variable being measured or the process of measurement.

Answer 48

When participants change their behaviour due to their awareness of being observed.

Answer 49

The consistency of a measure - that is, the degree to which a study is free of random error, obtaining the same results across time with the same population.

Answer 50

When a sample is selected in such a way that it is not representative of the population from which it was drawn. When a sample is biassed, population validity is decreased.

Answer 51

This word is often seen as a synonym for validity in qualitative research.

Answer 52

A data collection strategy for observational studies. This is when the researcher makes note only when a specific behaviour is observed. For example, only when aggression is observed on the playground.

Answer 53

A group interview, using 5 - 12 participants who share a common trait or interest.

Answer 54

An observational study where the researcher joins the group that is being observed. The opposite of a non-participant observation.

Answer 55

When researchers reflect on how their own biases may have affected their research process and the findings of their research.

Answer 56

A data collection method used when carrying out an observation of a group where the researcher records the behavior of an individual and then moves on to the next participant until all have been observed.

Answer 57

A data collection method used when carrying out an observation of a group where notes are taken at specific times - for example, every five minutes or every hour.

Answer 58

The degree to which the results of qualitative research can be generalized or transferred to other contexts or settings.