Research methods

Question 1

define controlled observation?

Answer 1

a type of observation where participants are observed in a lab, increasing control and reliability but decreasing ecological validity

Question 2

define correlation

Answer 2

the extent to which two variables are associated

Question 3

define covert observation

Answer 3

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

Question 4

define experiment

Answer 4

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

Question 5

define field experiment

Answer 5

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

Question 6

define interviews

Answer 6

a self-report technique where participants are asked questions by an interviewer, which allows for flexibility in the information is gathered

Question 7

define laboratory experiment

Answer 7

a type of experiment that is conducted in a highly controlled environment, allowing control over extraneous variables at the expense of ecological validity

Question 8

define natural experiment

Answer 8

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

Question 9

define naturalistic observation

Answer 9

a type of observation where participants are observed in their natural environment, increasing ecological validity but decreasing the amount of control over extraneous variables

Question 10

define non-participant observation

Answer 10

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

Question 11

define observation

Answer 11

a type of data collection wherein participants’ behavior is observed

Question 12

define overt observation

Answer 12

a type of observation where the participants know they are under observation. this preserves informed consent but may increase demand characteristics

Question 13

define participant observation

Answer 13

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

Question 14

define questionnaires

Answer 14

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

Question 15

define structured interviews

Answer 15

a form of interview wherein questions are pre-set beforehand, with no flexibility. usually, these consist of closed questions and allows for replicability

Question 16

define unstructured interviews

Answer 16

a form of interview wherein questions may be set beforehand, but the interviewer is allowed flexibility in the form of a natural conversation

Question 17

define aim

Answer 17

the objective or purpose of the experiment

Question 18

define bias

Answer 18

an inclination to a certain thought

Question 19

define behavioral categories

Answer 19

an observational technique wherein participants’ possible behaviors are separated into more specific components. this allows for the operationalization of the behavior

Question 20

define closed questions

Answer 20

a type of question that can only be answered with a limited no. of answeres (usually yes or no)

Question 21

define confounding variable

Answer 21

a type of extraneous variable that is related to the independent variable in the experiment.

Question 22

define control variable

Answer 22

any variables that are kept constant throughout the experiment to prevent their effects on the dependent variable