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research methods Flashcards

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1
Q

what is an aim?

A

a general statement of what the researcher wants to know (to see, to find, to investigate)

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2
Q

what is an experimental method?

A

involves the manipulation of an independent variable to measure the affect on the dependent variable

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3
Q

what is a hypothesis?

A

a clear precise, testable statement that states the relationship between variables to be investigated. stated at the start of any research

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4
Q

what is a directional hypothesis?

A

states the direction of the difference

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5
Q

what is a non-directional hypothesis?

A

does not state the direction of the difference

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6
Q

when do researchers use a directional hypothesis?

A

when there is previous research that suggests the results will go a certain way

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7
Q

when do researchers use a non directional hypothesis?

A

when there is no previous research or if the previous research shows a mixture of findings

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8
Q

independent variable

A

aspect of experiment which manipulated (changed) by researcher so the effect on DV can be measured

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9
Q

dependant variable

A

measured by the researcher and caused by IV

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10
Q

operationalise

A

clearly define the variables so they can be measured

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11
Q

What is an independent group design?

A

Participants only take part in one condition of the experiment

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12
Q

What is a repeated measure design?

A

Participants take part in both conditions of the experiment

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13
Q

What is a matched pair design?

A

Participants are matched on variables relevant to the experiment (gender,IQ, etc) one participant from each pair is then allocated to a different condition

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14
Q

What are Participant variables?

A

Gender, age, personality, intelligence

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15
Q

Situational variables examples

A

Weather, time of day, light, demand characteristics

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16
Q

Extraneous variable

A

If not kept the same for every participant, it make affect results

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17
Q

Confounding variable

A

If not controlled throughout, the experiment will have an effect on results and the experimentor cannot establish cause and effect.

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18
Q

Demand characteristics

A

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.

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19
Q

Null hypothesis

A

A statement of no change of relationship between variables

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20
Q

what is a lab experiment?

A
  • involves manipulation of IV
  • conducted under highly controlled conditions where variables can be well controlled
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21
Q

positives of a lab experiment

A

reliable, produces quantitative data

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22
Q

what is a field experiment?

A
  • involves manipulation of IV
  • conducted in real world situation
  • IV and DV tightly operationalised
  • mostly controlled conditions
23
Q

positives of a field experiment

A

objective, reliable

24
Q

what is a natural experiment?

A

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

25
Q

what is a quasi experiment?

A

the IV is based on an existing difference between people (age, gender etc) no one has manipulated this variable it just exists

26
Q

experimental design

A

describes the way participants are arranged in relation do the different experimental conditions

27
Q

strengths of an independent groups design

A

no order effects (boredom),
less chance of demand characteristics

28
Q

Weaknesses of independent group design

A

differences between conditions between conditions could be based on participant variables. participants should be randomly allocated to resolve this

29
Q

strengths of repeated measure design

A

any difference between conditions are likely to be due to changes in IV not participant,
fewer participants are needed

30
Q

weaknesses of repeated measure design

A

order affects may occur as participants take part in everything, may see more demand characteristics

31
Q

strengths of matched pair design

A

no order affects (only take pat in one condition), participant variable between conditions are reduced as participants are matched together

32
Q

weaknesses of matched pair design

A

time consuming, expensive to match up, can never be matched exactly

33
Q

what is event sampling?

A

a target behaviour is identified and the observer records it every time it occurs

34
Q

what is time sampling?

A

a way of sampling the behaviour that is being observed by recording what happens in a series of fixed time intervals

35
Q

what are behavioural categories?

A

key behaviours or collections of behaviour that the researcher conducting the observation will pay attention to and record

36
Q

what are open questions?

A

questions where there is no fixed response and the participants can give the answer they like. generates qualitative data

37
Q

what are closed questions?

A

questions with fixed choices of response. generate quantitative data

38
Q

what is a pilot study?

A

a small case study which is conducted to ensure the method will work according to plan. if it doesn’t, amendments can be made

39
Q

what are demand characteristics?

A

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.

40
Q

what are investigator effects?

A

results from the effects of a researchers behaviour and characteristics on an investigation

41
Q

what is a naturalistic observation?

A

an observation study conducted in the environment where the behaviour would normally occur

42
Q

what is a controlled observation?

A

a study where the researchers control come variables- often lab settings

43
Q

what is a covert observation?

A

participants DO NOT know they are being observed

44
Q

what is an overt observation?

A

participants KNOW they are being observed and have given their permission

45
Q

what is a participant observation?

A

study where the researcher joins the group or takes part in the situation they are observing

46
Q

what is a non-participant observation?

A

where the researcher does not join and in and just observes the behaviour

47
Q

what is a questionnaire?

A

a set of written questions that a participant fills in themselves

48
Q

what is a structured interview?

A

where the questions are are fixed and the interviewer reads them out and records the responses

49
Q

what is an unstructured/ clinical interview?

A

no fixed questions and just general aims and it is more like a conversation

50
Q

what is informed consent?

A

involves making the participant aware of the aims of the research, the procedures, their rights and what their data will be used for

51
Q

what is deception?

A

deliberately misleading or withholding information from participants at any stage of the investigation.

52
Q

what is the right to withdraw?

A

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.

53
Q

what is protection from harm?

A

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.

54
Q

what is privacy and confidentiality?

A

personal information should not be invaded. any personal data should be kept private and confidential under the data protection act

psych (4 decks)

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