Research Methods Flashcards
What is the matched pairs experimental design?
Where different participants go through each condition. The participants are matched up based on certain characteristics, they are then randomly assigned to one condition each
What is a strength of matched pairs?
There are less likely to be demand characteristics as the participants are only taking part in one condition so they aren’t likely to guess the purpose of the study.
What is a limitation of matched pairs?
It is time-consuming and difficult to match the participants.
How do you calculate the mean?
Add up all of the values then divide thy by how many values there are
How do you calculate the median?
Place the values in ascending order and then find the middle value
What is the mode?
The most common value in a set of numbers
What is standard deviation?
A digit that says how far values deviate from the mean value
What does a high standard deviation say?
Not all participants reacted the same way to the IV
What does a low standard deviation say?
It implies that all participants reacted fairly similarly
What is qualitative data?
Data that is expressed in words rather than numbers
What is a strength of qualitative data?
Offers more detail so has more external validity
What is a limitation of qualitative data?
It is more difficult to analyse
- Conclusions rely on subjective interpretations from researcher which may be subject to researcher bias
What is a Laboratory experiment?
An experiment conducted in highly controlled environments.
What is a strength of a laboratory experiment?
Due to the high levels of control replication is easier as there are no confounding or extraneous variables
What is a limitation of laboratory experiments?
Demand characteristics
- In a lab environment, participants are aware they are being tested
What is a field experiment?
Where the IV is manipulated in a natural setting.
What is a strength of field experiments?
High external validity
- Participants are unaware they are being studied so they produce authentic behaviour
What is a limitation of field experiments?
Ethical Issues
- Participants can’t consent if they don’t know they’re being studied and this may be an invasion of privacy
What is a natural experiment?
Like a lab or field experiment but the researcher has no control over the IV
What is a strength of natural experiments?
High external validity
- Involves the study of real-world as it happens
What is a limitation of natural experiments?
A naturally occurring event may only happen very rarely. This may limit the scope for generalising finding to other similar situations.
What is a quasi experiment?
An experiment that has an IV that is based on an existing difference between people (e.g. age, gender)
What is a strength of quasi-experiments?
Similar strengths to lab experiments (repeatability) as carried out in controlled conditions
What is a limitation of quasi-experiments?
IV is not deliberately changed so we can’t claim that the IV caused any observed changes.
What is randomisation?
The use of chance methods when designing materials and deciding the order of experimental conditions
What is standardisation?
The use of exactly the same procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study
What is operationalisation?
Clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured
Ethics
What is informed consent?
Making the participants aware of the aims of the research, the procedures, their rights (including the right to withdraw), and also what their data will be used for
How do you deal with informed consent?
Participant should be issued with a consent form detailing all information that might affect the decision to participate
What is deception?
The deliberate, misleading or withholding of information from participants at any stage of the investigation
How is deception dealt with?
At the end of the study, participants should be given a full debrief where they will be made aware of the aims of the investigation and any details that were withheld during the study
What is protection from harm?
What is that shouldn’t be place there any more risk of being in the daily lives and should be protected from physical and psychological harm
How is protection from harm dealt with?
If a participant was subject to stress embarrassment, they may require counselling, which should be provided by the researcher
What is privacy and confidentiality?
Participants have the right to control information about themselves. This is the right of privacy.
Confidentiality refers to our right to have any personal data protected
How is confidentiality dealt with?
If participant details are held, it must be protected however it’s more usual to record no personal details and researchers will usually refer to participants using numbers or initials when writing up the investigation
