Research Methods

Question 1

Definition of the IV and DV

Answer 1

IV=the one you change/manipulate

DV=the one you measure

Question 2

Operationalising Variables

Answer 2

It is when you define them and make it measurable

E.g. How many ml of red bull was consumed

Question 3

What is a Hypothesis

Answer 3

A Hypothesis is a statement of prediction

Question 4

What is a Null Hypothesis

Answer 4

States there will be no difference between findings before and after an experiment

E.g. Alcohol consumption will not affect driving ability

Question 5

What is an Alternative Hypothesis

Answer 5

Opposite to a Null Hypothesis, predicts there will be a difference within the findings before and after an experiment

E.g. Alcohol will effect driving ability

Question 6

What is a Non-Directional Hypothesis

Answer 6

States there will be a difference without specifying the direction

E.g. Alcohol does affect driving ability

Question 7

What is a Directional Hypothesis

Answer 7

States there will be a difference whilst specifying the direction(Positive/Negative)

E.g. Alcohol decreases driving ability

Question 8

Extraneous Variables

Answer 8

Variables extra to the IV, need to be controlled or removed

Question 9

What is an Experiment

Answer 9

A method used to determine Cause and Effect, manipulate IV to measure the effect on the DV

Question 10

What is an Observation

Answer 10

Simply involves watching and recording people’s behaviour

Question 11

What is a Self-report

Answer 11

Researchers ask participants about themselves

Question 12

What is a Correlation

Answer 12

A relationship between 2 Co-variables

Question 13

What is a Case Study

Answer 13

In-depth investigation into a single person/group/event
(Rare cases)

Question 14

What is Validity

Answer 14

Truthfulness/Accuracy

Question 15

What is Reliability

Answer 15

Consistency

Question 16

What are Independent Measures

Answer 16

Participants only take part in one condition of the experiment(2 Seperate Groups)

Question 17

What are Repeated Measures

Answer 17

Participants take part in both conditions of the experiment(One Group)

Question 18

What are Matched Pairs

Answer 18

Participants are matched in each condition for characteristics that may have an effect on performance

E.g. Age

Question 19

What are the 3 types of experimental designs

Answer 19

• Independent measures
• Repeated measures
• Matched pairs

Question 20

What are the strengths and weaknesses of independent measures design

Answer 20

Strengths:
- less order effects (bored/practice)
- less demand characteristics
Weaknesses
- less economical as more participants required
- participant variables

Question 21

What are the strengths and weaknesses of repeated measures design

Answer 21

Strengths:
- more economical as less participants required
- no participant variables/individual differences
Weaknesses:
- order effects
- demand characteristics

Question 22

What are the strengths and weaknesses of matched pairs design

Answer 22

Strengths:
- reduced participant variables/individual differences
- less demand characteristics
- no order effects
Weaknesses:
- participants can never be exactly matched
- matching participants is expensive and time consuming

Question 23

Experimenter variables

Answer 23

• Gender of experimenter
• Tone of voice
• Body language/Facial expressions

Question 24

Situational variables

Answer 24

• Heat
• Lighting
• Time of day
• Order of conditions

Question 25

Participant variables

Answer 25

• Age
• Gender
• Intelligence
• Poor eyesight
• Anxiety
• Personality

Question 26

Demand characteristics

Answer 26

• Order of conditions
• Participant reactivity
  (Please you/Screw you)