Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

AQA Alevel Psychology > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

1
Q

What is an aim

A

A general statement of what the researcher invents to investigate the purpose of the study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is an alternative hypothesis

A

States there will be a difference/relationship between the variable/co-variable to be investigated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a null hypothesis

A

States there will not be a difference/relationship between the variable/co-variable to be investigated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is a directional hypothesis

A

States the predicted outcome of the difference/ relationship

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is nondirectional hypothesis

A

Dles not state the predicted outcome of the difference/ relationship

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the 4 types of experiments

A

Lab, Field, Natural and Quasi

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is a lab experiment

A

Conducted in highly controlled environment where each variable can be carefully controlled. Researcher manipulates IV and records effect on DV

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a field experiment

A

IV ais being manipulated in natural, more everyday setting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is a natural experiment

A

Researcher takes advantage of a naturally occurring IV so they don’t manipulate it. It’s an observational study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is a Quasi-experiment

A

Have an IV based on an existing difference between people. No manipulated variable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Which experimwnat are true experimenta

A

Field and lab

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Strengths and limitations of Lab experiment

A

✔️
- high control over EV
-Can ensure any effect on DV is likely to be caused by manipulation of IV
-high internal validity
-ensures new EV not introduced
-replication are vital

❌️
-lack generalization
- low external validity
-rise to demand characteristics
- low mundane realism
-low mundane realism
- low ecological validity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Strengths and limitations of field experiment

A

✔️
- less artificial
-more natural
- higher mundane realism
- higher ecological validity
❌️
-loss of control
-ethical issues

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Strengths and limitations of natural experiment

A

✔️
- IV can’t be manipulated for ethical or practical reasons
-increased mundane realism and ecological validity
❌️
- naturally occurring events may rarely happen,reducing research opportunities and generalizing findings to similar situations
-doesn’t demonstrate casual relationship as IV is not directly manipulated
- random allocation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Strengths and limitations of Quasi-experiment

A

✔️
-allows comparison between types of people
-carried under controlled conditions
❌️
-can’t randomly allocate participants to conditions
-participants may be aware of being studied

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is validity

A

The extent at which an observe effect is genuine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is ecological validity

A

The extent to which findings from research can be generalised to other settings/situation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is mundane realism

A

Task used to measure DV and how it effects us

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is Population validity

A

How well a sample used can be extrapolated to a population as a whole

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is face validity

A

Whether a test appears ‘on the face value’ to measure what it is supposed to measure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Concordance validity

A

Extent to which psychological measure relates to an existing measure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What scores correlation must there be for a score to be deemed valid

A

Positive 0.8

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is Temporal validity

A

Findings of a study or concepts of a particular theory hold true over time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

How to improve validity of experimental research

A

Control groups
Standardized procedures
Demand characteristics
Double and single blind

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
How to improve validity of questionnaires
Anonymous Lie scale Covert observations Reduce acquiescence bias
26
How to improve validity of observations
Behavioural categories Interpretive validity Triangulation Single blind procedures
27
How to improve validity of qualitative methods
Interpretive validity Triangulation
28
Inter-observer/rater reliability
The extent to which there is an agreement between 2 or more observers involved in observations of a behaviour
29
Reliability
The consistency of measurements
30
Test-retest reliability
Teh same test or interview is given to the same participants on 2 occasions to see if the same results are obtained
31
Define repeated measures design
When pps take part in all the conditions of the experiment
32
Define independant groups design
Pps are allocated diff groups where each group represents one Experimental condition (level of IV)
33
Define matched pairs
Pairs of pps.are groups in terms of variables relevant to the study. One member of each pair takes part in condition A and the other Condition B
34
Define Experimental design
Diff ways in which pps can be organised in relation to the conditions of the experiment
35
✔️❌️ Repeated measures
✔️ no pp varieables effecting DV Quicker to collect pps ❌️ Order effects which can be fixed by counterbalancing Demand characteristics could be fixed by double blind
36
✔️❌️ independent groups
✔️ No order effects Less demand characteristics ❌️ Pp variables could be overcome by random allocation
37
✔️❌️ matched pairs
✔️ No order effects Reduces pp variables ❌️ Time consuming Still pp variables
38
Two types of demand characteristics
Screw u and please u effect
39
Randomisation definition
Use of chance order to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding order of conditions
40
Counterbalancing
Half pps comples the conditions in one order, the other half in other order
41
Pp variables
Individual diff between pps that may affect DV
42
Order effect
An EV that arises from the sequence in which conditions are presented
43
Interobserver reliability
The extent to which there is an agreement between 2 or more researchers involved in observations of a behaviour
44
Reliability
The consistency of measurements
45
Test retest reliability
Same test or interview given to same pps on 2 occasions to see if same results are obtained
46
Internal reliability
Whether a test is consistently measuring what it should be
47
External reliability
Test method over time repeated in diff situations.
48
Improve reliability of interviews
Use same interviewer. Structured interviews.
49
Improve reliability of experiments
Precise replication of particular method. Standardisation
50
Improve reliability of questionnaires
Test retest method. Recieves positive 0.8 score
51
Improve reliability of observations
Behavioural characteristics have been operationalised
52
What is the split half method
See if 2 half produce same result. If they do this means high internal reliability. Only effective with large questionnaires to which all questions measure the same construct
53
What is random sampling
Produced by using a technique in which every member of the target population has a equal chance of being selected
54
Systematic sampling
Produced by selecting every nth person on a list of the target population
55
Define stratified sampling
Selecting participants in proportion to their frequency in the target population
56
Opportunity sampling
Selecting people who are willing and available to take part.
57
Evaluate random sampling
No research bias Time and effort May still end up being unrepresentative
58
Evaluate systematic sampling
No researcher bias May still biased
59
Opportunity sampling evaluation
Convenient, not representative so cannot generalise researcher bias
60
Volunteer sampling evaluation
Minimal effort, volunteer bias
61
Define repeated measures design
When pps take part in all conditions of tge experiment
62
Strengths and weaknesses of repeated measures design
✔️ No pp variables affecting DV Quicker to collect pp ❌️ Order effects(can be fixed by counterbalancing) Demand characteristics could be fixed by double blind
63
Define independent groups design
Pps are allocated to diff groups where each group represents a different experimental condition
64
Strengths and weaknesses of independent groups design
✔️ No order effects Less demand characteristics ❌️ Pp variables effect DV could be overcome with random allocation (stratified sampling)
65
Define matched pairs design
Pairs of pps are grouped in terms of variables relevant to the study. One member of each pair takes part in condition A, the other takes part in condition B
66
Strengths and weaknesses of Matched pairs design
✔️ No order effects Reduces pp variables ❌️ Time consuming They are diff people but treated as one (pp variable)
67
How to address informed consent
Pps must be issued a consent letter Briefing pps Under 16s parental consent Presumptive and retrospective consent
68
How to address deception
Debrief at end Feedback ROW Counseling provided Share findings with them Tell them how their data will be used
69
How to address protection against harm
Counseling Feedback
70
How to address privacy/confidence
Anonymity Use initials or numbers During briefing and debriefing pps will be reminded that their data will be protected throught the process
71
What is a questionnaire
A set of qs used to assess a person's thoughts and or experience
72
Strengths of questionnaires
Cost effective, quick No researcher needed Straightforward to analyse Responses more likely honest
73
Limitations of questionnaires
Not truthful Demand characteristics and social desirability bias(acquiescence bias) Leading qs Have to be returned for analysis
74
Open questions
Allows pps to ans how they want, collect dich and detailed insight into the human condition Qualitative data
75
Closed questions
Restrict pps to predetermined responses, quantitative data, use liberty ranking scales or checklists
76
Structured interview definition
Pre set questions and asked in fixed order
77
Unstructured interview definition
General topic discussion and interviewees encouraged to expand and elaborate on answers
78
Strengths and weaknesses of structured interviews
✔️ Standardized, can be replicated Format reduces differences between interviews ❌️ Low quality as u can't deviate form qs
79
Strengths and weaknesses of unstructured interviews
✔️ More flexible, Cana sk follow up questions Use open qs to collect qualtitative data High validity of data ❌️ Data analysis is difficult Interviewees may lie Expensive
80
Definition of semi structured interview
Pre set qs but interviewers can ask follow up qs as they see fit
81
Definition of self report techniques
Any method in which a person is asked or explin their feelings, behaviours or experiences related to a given topic

AQA Alevel Psychology (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions