Research Methods Flashcards
Naturalistic Observation
Observing behavior in its natural setting without interference or manipulation.
Controlled Observation
Conducted in a controlled environment, often a laboratory, where variables can be manipulated.
Covert Observation
Subjects are unaware they are being observed.
Overt Observation
Subjects are aware that they are under observation.
Participant Observation
Observation study where the researcher actually joins the group or takes part in the situation they are observing.
Non-Participant Observation
Behavioural Categories
Event Sampling
Time Sampling
Give an advantage of using Participant Observation
Give a disadvantage of using Participant Observation
Give an advantage of using Non-Participant Observation
Give a disadvantage of using Non-Participant Observation
Give an advantage of using Overt Observation
Give a disadvantage of using Overt Observation
Give an advantage of using Covert Observation
Give a disadvantage of using Covert Observation
Give an advantage if using Controlled Observation
Give a disadvantage of using Controlled Observation
Give an advantage of using Naturalistic Observation
Give a disadvantage of using Naturalistic Observation
Empirical
Random Allocation
Variables
Independent Variable (IV)
This is the variable directly manipulated by the researcher, for example the amount of caffeine induced in a study on the impact of caffeine on reaction times.
Dependent Variable (DV)
The variable we believe will be manipulated by IV, for example reaction times in a study on the impact of caffeine on reaction times.
Standardised
Operationalised
Replication
Cause + Effect
Ethica;
Extraneous Variables
List 5 Examples of Extraneous Variables
Materials
Understanding
Location
Time
Objectivity
How might Materials (Physical Things) act as an extraneous variable in a study.
How might Understanding (The participants understanding of the experiment or what they are expected to do) act as an extraneous variable in a study.
How might Location (Environmental control, lighting, temperature, sound) act as an extraneous variable in a study.
How might Time (Time allocated to do the task) act as an extraneous variable in a study.
How might Objectivity (Bias on the part of the researcher) act as extraneous variable in a study.
Define controls in a study.
Null Hypothesis
Alternative Hypothesis
Directional Hypothesis
Non-Directional Hypothesis
Mean
The average. All answers added together, divided by the number of responses
Median
The answer in the middle. Total frequency/2, then it is the answer that falls in this bracket
Mode
The most common answer
Negatively Skewed Distribution
The mode and median are both higher than the mean
Positively Skewed Distribution
The mode and median are both lower than the mean
Normal Distribution
The mode, median and mean are all approximately the same