research methods Flashcards
what is an aim?
a general statement of what the researcher wants to know (to see, to find, to investigate)
what is an experimental method?
involves the manipulation of an independent variable to measure the affect on the dependent variable
what is a hypothesis?
a clear precise, testable statement that states the relationship between variables to be investigated. stated at the start of any research
what is a directional hypothesis?
states the direction of the difference
what is a non-directional hypothesis?
does not state the direction of the difference
when do researchers use a directional hypothesis?
when there is previous research that suggests the results will go a certain way
when do researchers use a non directional hypothesis?
when there is no previous research or if the previous research shows a mixture of findings
independent variable
aspect of experiment which manipulated (changed) by researcher so the effect on DV can be measured
dependant variable
measured by the researcher and caused by IV
operationalise
clearly define the variables so they can be measured
What is an independent group design?
Participants only take part in one condition of the experiment
What is a repeated measure design?
Participants take part in both conditions of the experiment
What is a matched pair design?
Participants are matched on variables relevant to the experiment (gender,IQ, etc) one participant from each pair is then allocated to a different condition
What are Participant variables?
Gender, age, personality, intelligence
Situational variables examples
Weather, time of day, light, demand characteristics
Extraneous variable
If not kept the same for every participant, it make affect results
Confounding variable
If not controlled throughout, the experiment will have an effect on results and the experimentor cannot establish cause and effect.
Demand characteristics
And feature of experiment that influences a participant to try guess what the study is about. Can be controlled through deceiving participants and using a blind study.
Null hypothesis
A statement of no change of relationship between variables
what is a lab experiment?
- involves manipulation of IV
- conducted under highly controlled conditions where variables can be well controlled
positives of a lab experiment
reliable, produces quantitative data
what is a field experiment?
- involves manipulation of IV
- conducted in real world situation
- IV and DV tightly operationalised
- mostly controlled conditions
positives of a field experiment
objective, reliable
what is a natural experiment?
where the researcher takes advantage of a pre existing IV which would have changed even if the experimenter was not expecting it
- tested in field or lab
- there id little control over most variables
what is a quasi experiment?
the IV is based on an existing difference between people (age, gender etc) no one has manipulated this variable it just exists
experimental design
describes the way participants are arranged in relation do the different experimental conditions
strengths of an independent groups design
no order effects (boredom),
less chance of demand characteristics
Weaknesses of independent group design
differences between conditions between conditions could be based on participant variables. participants should be randomly allocated to resolve this
strengths of repeated measure design
any difference between conditions are likely to be due to changes in IV not participant,
fewer participants are needed
weaknesses of repeated measure design
order affects may occur as participants take part in everything, may see more demand characteristics
strengths of matched pair design
no order affects (only take pat in one condition), participant variable between conditions are reduced as participants are matched together
weaknesses of matched pair design
time consuming, expensive to match up, can never be matched exactly
what is event sampling?
a target behaviour is identified and the observer records it every time it occurs
what is time sampling?
a way of sampling the behaviour that is being observed by recording what happens in a series of fixed time intervals
what are behavioural categories?
key behaviours or collections of behaviour that the researcher conducting the observation will pay attention to and record
what are open questions?
questions where there is no fixed response and the participants can give the answer they like. generates qualitative data
what are closed questions?
questions with fixed choices of response. generate quantitative data
what is a pilot study?
a small case study which is conducted to ensure the method will work according to plan. if it doesn’t, amendments can be made
what are demand characteristics?
they occur when participants try to make sense of the research they are in and try to guess the purpose of the research or try to present themselves in a good way.
what are investigator effects?
results from the effects of a researchers behaviour and characteristics on an investigation
what is a naturalistic observation?
an observation study conducted in the environment where the behaviour would normally occur
what is a controlled observation?
a study where the researchers control come variables- often lab settings
what is a covert observation?
participants DO NOT know they are being observed
what is an overt observation?
participants KNOW they are being observed and have given their permission
what is a participant observation?
study where the researcher joins the group or takes part in the situation they are observing
what is a non-participant observation?
where the researcher does not join and in and just observes the behaviour
what is a questionnaire?
a set of written questions that a participant fills in themselves
what is a structured interview?
where the questions are are fixed and the interviewer reads them out and records the responses
what is an unstructured/ clinical interview?
no fixed questions and just general aims and it is more like a conversation
what is informed consent?
involves making the participant aware of the aims of the research, the procedures, their rights and what their data will be used for
what is deception?
deliberately misleading or withholding information from participants at any stage of the investigation.
what is the right to withdraw?
making the participants aware that they can leave the study and anytime, even if paid. they can also refuse permission for their data to be used.
what is protection from harm?
participants should be protected from physical and psychological harm (embarrassment, stress or pressure). any risk should be no more than expected in the course of normal daily life.
what is privacy and confidentiality?
personal information should not be invaded. any personal data should be kept private and confidential under the data protection act
