Research methods Flashcards
define controlled observation?
a type of observation where participants are observed in a lab, increasing control and reliability but decreasing ecological validity
define correlation
the extent to which two variables are associated
define covert observation
a type of observation where the observer is hidden and therefore participants do not know they are being observed. while this does reduce demand characteristics, it can raise ethical issues around consent
define experiment
a type of observation wherein a hypothesis is tested by manipulation of an independent variable, in order to view its effect on the dependent variable
define field experiment
a type of experiment that is conducted in a real-life setting, which reduces the amount of control over extraneous variables, however the ecological validity is improved
define interviews
a self-report technique where participants are asked questions by an interviewer, which allows for flexibility in the information is gathered
define laboratory experiment
a type of experiment that is conducted in a highly controlled environment, allowing control over extraneous variables at the expense of ecological validity
define natural experiment
a type of experiment in which an independent variable that already exists is tested in its natural environment, greatly reducing the control of extraneous variables. this type of experiment allows for the investigation of variables that cannot ethically be created
define naturalistic observation
a type of observation where participants are observed in their natural environment, increasing ecological validity but decreasing the amount of control over extraneous variables
define non-participant observation
a type of observation where the observer does not join the group under observation. this allows for higher objectivity but reduces the insight that could be achieved with a participant observation
define observation
a type of data collection wherein participants’ behavior is observed
define overt observation
a type of observation where the participants know they are under observation. this preserves informed consent but may increase demand characteristics
define participant observation
a type of observation where the participants know they are under observation. this form of observation yields highly valuable quantitative information with insight but can reduce the objectivity of the researcher
define questionnaires
a self-report technique wherein participants answer pre-decided questions in the form of paper or electronically. this form of self-report allows for anonymity
define structured interviews
a form of interview wherein questions are pre-set beforehand, with no flexibility. usually, these consist of closed questions and allows for replicability
define unstructured interviews
a form of interview wherein questions may be set beforehand, but the interviewer is allowed flexibility in the form of a natural conversation
define aim
the objective or purpose of the experiment
define bias
an inclination to a certain thought
define behavioral categories
an observational technique wherein participants’ possible behaviors are separated into more specific components. this allows for the operationalization of the behavior
define closed questions
a type of question that can only be answered with a limited no. of answeres (usually yes or no)
define confounding variable
a type of extraneous variable that is related to the independent variable in the experiment.
define control variable
any variables that are kept constant throughout the experiment to prevent their effects on the dependent variable
