Research Methods Flashcards
Aim
General statement of what the researcher intends to investigate
Hypothesis
Clear and precise statement stating relationship between variables investigated
Prediction of what will happen
Directional hypothesis (one-tailed)
Clear difference is made, e.g., people who drink energy drink become more talkative than people who don’t…
Non-directional hypothesis (two-tailed)
States a difference but the nature of difference is not specified, e.g., people who drink energy drink differ in terms of talkativeness…
When to use a one-tailed
Findings of previous research studies suggest particular outcome
When to use a two-tailed
No previous research/findings from earlier studies
IV
Some aspect of the environmental situation that is manipulated by the researcher/changes naturally so DV effect can be measured
DV
Variable that is measured by the researcher. Effect caused by IV
Levels of IV
Control condition = leaving things how they are, e.g., no energy drink/drinking water
Experimental condition = changing circumstances, e.g., drinking energy drink
Operationalisation
Clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured (numerical), e.g., after drinking 300ml of energy drink ptpts say more words in the next 5 min…
Extraneous variables
Any variable other than the IV that may have an effect on the DV if it isn’t controlled; do NOT vary systematically with IV, e.g., lighting
Confounding variables
Any variable other than the IV that may have an effect on the DV; DO vary systematically with IV
Demand characteristics
Any cue from the researcher/situation that may be interpreted by ptpts as revealing the purpose (leads to behaviour change)
Investigator effects
Any effect of the investigators behaviour on the research outcome, e.g., leading questions
Randomisation
Use of change in order to control for the effects of bias when designing materials; deciding order of conditions
Standardisation
Using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all ptpts in a research study
Independent groups
Two separate groups in two separate conditions
Repeated measures
Only one group of ptpts taking part in both conditions
Matched pairs
Two separate groups matched on certain qualities
+/- of Independent groups
+ Order effects
- Individual differences
+/- of Repeated measures
+ Ptpt variables controlled (fewer needed)
- Order effects
+/- of Matched pairs
+ Order effects not an issue
- Ptpts cannot be matched exactly; time-consuming
Lab experiment
Controlled environment - researcher manipulates IV and records effect on DV
Field experiment
Natural setting - researcher manipulates IV and records effect on DV
Natural experiment
Change in the IV is not brought about by researcher but would’ve happened regardless
Quasi experiment
Almost an experiment but lacks key ingredients: IV has not been determined by anyone - variables simply exist, e.g., being old/young
+/- Lab experiment
+ High control over extraneous variables; replication more possible
- May lack generalisability
+/- Field experiment
+ Higher mundane realism
- Ethical issues - consent
+/- Natural experiment
+ High external validity
- Naturally occurring event may only happen rarely
+/- Quasi experiment
+ Often controlled conditions - high control over extraneous variables
- Cannot randomly allocate ptpts to conditions
Random sampling
All members of target population have equal chance of being selected (lottery method)
Systematic sampling
Every Nth member of the target population, e.g., every 5th pupil on a school register
Stratified sampling
Researchers divide subjects into subgroups based on characteristics they share. Once divided, each group is randomly sampled
Opportunity sampling
Researchers select anyone who happens to be willing/available
Volunteer sampling
Ptpts select themselves to be part of the sample
Random s +/-
+ Free from researcher bias
- Time-consuming/difficult to conduct (complete list may be difficult to obtain)
Systematic s +/-
+ Avoids researcher bias
- Fairly unrepresentative, e.g., could be an all-male sample
Stratified s +/-
+ Avoids researcher bias
- Identified strata cannot reflect all the ways that people are different
Opportunity s +/-
+ Less time-consuming
- Unrepresentative; researcher bias
Volunteer s +/-
+ Minimal input from researcher - less time-consuming
- Volunteer bias
BPS code of ethics
Instructs psychologists about what behaviour is and isn’t acceptable when dealing with ptpts
Respect, competence, responsibility; integrity
Informed consent & way of dealing
Making ptpts aware of aims, procedures & rights
* consent form/signature
Protection from harm & way of dealing
Ptpts should not be placed at risk
* counselling
Deception & way of dealing
Deliberately misleading/withholding info
* debrief; right to withhold
Confidentiality & way of dealing
Right to control info/remain private
* anonymity, e.g, initials
Pilot study
Small-scale version of investigation before the real one
Allows problems to be identified
Single-blind procedure
Researchers do not tell ptpts if they are being given a test/control treatment
Double-blind procedure
Neither the ptpt nor the experimenter know who is receiving a particular treatment
Single-blind procedure +/-
+ Avoids demand characteristics
- Experimenter bias
Double-blind procedure +
+ Prevents bias/placebo effect
Naturalistic observation
Watching and recording the behaviour in the setting it would normally take place
Controlled observation
Watching and recording behaviour in a structured environment, e.g., lab
Covert observation
Ptpts are unaware their behaviour is being recorded and watched
Overt observation
Ptpts are aware their behaviour is being recorded and watched
Participant observation
Researcher who is observing is part of the group being observed
Non-participant observation
Researcher observes from a distance; is not a part of the group
Naturalistic obs +/-
+ High external validity
- Replication can be difficult
Controlled obs +/-
+ Easy replication
- Low mundane realism
Covert obs +/-
+ Natural behaviour is recorded (high internal validity)
- Ethical issues (no consent)
Overt obs +/-
+ Ethically acceptable (consent)
- Demand characteristics
Participant obs +/-
+ Can be more insightful
- Researcher may lose objectivity
Non-participant obs +/-
+ Can be more objective
- May lose some valuable insight; observer bias
Structured observation
Researcher quantifies what they are observing using predetermined list of behaviours/sampling methods
Unstructured observation
Continuous recording - researcher writes down everything they see
Structured obs +/-
+ Quantitative data
- Not much depth of detail
Unstructured obs +/-
+ Rich in detail
- Qualitative (difficult to analyse; can’t be used in stats test table)
Behavioural categories
Breaking target behaviour into components/checklists, e.g., affection: kissing, hand holding, smiling
Must be measurable/observable
Time-sampling
Recording behaviour within a pre-established time frame
Event-sampling
Counting a number of times a behaviour occurs
Time-sampling +/-
+ Reduces number of observations (less time-consuming)
- Unrepresentative of whole observation (behaviour may be missed)
Event-sampling +/-
+ Behaviours are not missed
- More time-consuming
Questionnaires: open questions
Does not have a fixed range of answers (respondents free to answer in any way they wish) - qualitative