Research Methods Flashcards
Case Study
In-depth Investigation of a single person or group, where data is gathered through several different methods (Interviews, Observations)
Behavioural Categories
Key Behaviours or collections of Behaviour, Researcher will observe the behaviour and record it.
Concurrent validity
Comparing a new test with another test of the same thing to see if the results are similar
Confounding Variable
An Extraneous Variable that varies systematically with the IV
Content Analysis
Used to analyse Qualitative data. It involves coding the written data into categories (Qualitative data into Quantitative data)
Controlled observation
Observation study where the researchers control some variables (Lab Study)
Covert Observation
Undisclosed observation as the participants don’t know their behaviour is being observed
Debriefing
After completing the research, the true aim is revealed to the participant
Deception
Involves Misleading participants about the purpose of the study
Demand Characteristics
Participants try make sense of the research situation they are in and try guess the purpose of the research (Try present themselves in a good way)
Ecological Validity
Extent to which the findings of the research study are able to be generalized to real-life settings
Ethical Guidelines
Provided by the BPS, Rules psychologists should follow when conducting a research study
Ethical issues
Deception
Lack of informed Consent
Lack of Protection of Participants
Event Sampling
A target Behaviour is identified and the observer records it every time it occurs
Experimental Groups
Group that receives Experimental Treatment
External Validity
Extent to which the findings of the study can be generalised beyond the experimental setting
Extraneous Variables
Variables that can affect the DV and contaminate the IV
Face Validity
Assesses whether a test measures what it claims to measure which is concerned with face value
Field Experiment
Takes place in a Natural Setting whether the experimenter manipulates the IV and measures the DV
Independent Measure Design
Each Participant takes part in one condition of the IV
Informed Consent
Psychologists should ensure that all participants are helped to understand fully all aspects of the research before they agree to take part
Inter-Observer Reliability
Extent to which two or more observers are observing and recording behaviour in the same way
Internal Validity
Whether the results were due to manipulation of the IV rather than other factors such as EV or DC
Investigator Effects
Results from the effect of a researchers behaviour and characteristics on an investigation
Unconsciously influences the outcome of the reserach
Lab Experiment
Takes place in a controlled environment where the experimenter manipulates the IV and measures the DV
Matched Pair Designs
Where pairs of Participants are matched on important characteristics and one member allocated to each condition of the IV
Meta-Analysis
Researcher examines the results of several studies that have already been conducted
Natural Experiment
Where the change in the IV already exists rather than being manipulated by the experimenter
Naturalistic Observation
Conducted in the environment where the behaviour would normally occur
Observer Bias
Occurs when the observers know the aims of the study or the hypotheses and allow this knowledge to influence their observations
Opportunity sample
Participants are chosen because they are easily available
Order Effects
Occur in a repeated measure design
Overt Observation
Known as a disclosed observation as the participants have given their permission for their behaviour to be observed
Participant Observation
Researcher joins the group or takes part in the situation they are observing
Peer Review
Research report sent to other psychologists who are knowledgeable in the research topic for them to review and check for any problems
Pilot Study
conducted to ensure the method will work according to the plan. If it doesn’t amendments to the study can be made
Presumptive consent
Asking a group of people from the same target population as the same whether they would agree to take part in the study
Prior General Consent
Before participants are recruited, they are asked whether they are prepared to take part, where they might be deceived about the true purpose of the study
Protection of Participants
Participants should be protected physically and mentally
Qualitative Data
Descriptive information (Words)
Quantitative Data
Information that can be measured and written down in numbers
Quasi Experiment
often Conducted in controlled conditions where the IV simply exists so there can be no random allocations to the conditions
Random Sampling
Everyone in the target population has an equal chance of being selected
Randomisation
Uses Chance Methods
Reliability
Whether something is consistent, whether its replicable
Repeated Measure Design
Each participant takes part in all conditions of the IV
Representative Sample
Sample that closely matches the target population as a whole in terms of variables and characteristics
Retrospective Consent
Participants have the ability to withdraw their data if they are not happy
Right To Withdraw
Participants should be aware that they can leave the study at any time
Semi-Structured Interviews
Contains Pre-determined questions, that can be supplemented with additional questions.
Interviewer can deviate from the original question, therefore producing rich qualitative data
Social Desirability Bias
Participants behaviour distorted, they modify their answers to be seen in a positive light
Standardised instructions
Instructions given to each participant are kept identical, prevents experimenter bias
Standardised Procedures
All participants are treated in exactly the same way
Stratified Sample
Group of Participants are selected in proportion to their frequency in the target population
Structured interview
Questions are fixed and the interviewer reads them out and records the responses
Structured Observation
Uses predetermined coding scheme to record the participants Behaviour
Systematic Sampling
Every N(th) Member in the target population is selected
Temporal Validity
How likely it is that the time period when a study was conducted has influenced the findings and whether they can be generalised to other periods in time
Test-Retest Reliability
Involves presenting the same participants with the same test or questionnaire on two separate occasions and seeing whether there is a positive correlation between the two
Thematic Analysis
Analyses Qualitative data which involves identifying, analysing and reporting patterns within the data
Time Sampling
Sampling the behaviour that is being observed by recording what happens in a series of fixed time intervals
Unstructured Interview
There are no fixed questions just general aims and it is more like a conversation
Unstructured Observation
There is no checklist so every behaviour seen is written down in as much detail as possible
Validity
Whether something is true
Volunteer Sample
Participants put themselves forward to take part in research (Advertisements)
