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Psychology > Research methods > Flashcards

Research methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Abstract

A

The key details of a scientific report which comes at the start of the report.

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2
Q

Bias

A

Where certain groups maybe under or over - represented within the sample.

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3
Q

Case study

A

A research method that involves a detailed study of an individual.

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4
Q

Coding

A

The stage of content analysis in which the communication to be studied is analysed by identifying each instance of the chosen categories.

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5
Q

Confounding variable

A

Any variable, other than the IV that may have affected the DV, is found after the study.

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6
Q

Content analysis

A

An observational study in which behaviour is observed indirectly from pre - existing materials.

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7
Q

Continuous data

A

Data that is not in categories.

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8
Q

Correlation

A

A mathematical technique which investigates the relationship between 2 co - variables.

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9
Q

Correlation coefficient

A

A number between -1 and +1 that represents the direction and strength of the relationship between co - variables.

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10
Q

Counterbalancing

A

A method used to control for order effects in a repeated measures design.

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11
Q

Debrief

A

A post - research interview designed to inform ppts of the true nature of the study and return them to their pre - experimental state.

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12
Q

Deception

A

An ethical issue where a ppt is not told the true aims of the study and cannot give informed consent.

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13
Q

Demand characteristics

A

Any cue from the researcher or the situation that may be interpreted by the ppts as revealing the purpose of the investigation.

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14
Q

Dependent variable

A

The variable that is measured.

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15
Q

Descriptive statistics

A

The use of tables, graphs and summary methods to identify trends in the data.

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16
Q

Directional hypothesis (one - tailed)

A

A hypothesis which states the direction of difference or relationship.

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17
Q

Discrete data

A

Data that can only take certain values.

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18
Q

Ecological validity

A

The extent to which findings from a research can be generalised to other settings and situations. A type of external validity.

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19
Q

Extraneous variable

A

Any variable, other than the IV, that may affect the DV if not controlled before the experiment.

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20
Q

Falsifiability

A

The principle that a theory cannot be considered to be scientific unless it admits the possibility of being untrue.

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21
Q

Field experiment

A

An experiment that takes place in a natural setting.

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22
Q

Generalistaion

A

The extent to which findings and conclusions from an investigation can be applied to the population.

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23
Q

Hypothesis

A

A precise statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated.

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24
Q

Independent variable

A

The variable being manipulated.

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25
Q

Independent groups design

A

An experimental design where ppts are allocated to different groups where each group represents an experimental or control condition.

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26
Q

Informed consent

A

An ethical issue whereby ppts must be given information concerning the nature and purpose of the research for them to make an informed decision about whether to participate.

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27
Q

Inter - observer reliability

A

The extent to which there is agreement between two or more observers. This is checked by correlating the measurements of the two observers.

28
Q

Investigator effects

A

An effect of the investigators behaviour on the research outcome.

29
Q

Lab experiment

A

An experiment which takes place in a controlled environment with strict control of extraneous variables.

30
Q

Matched pairs design

A

An experimental design where pairs of participants are first matched on a variable that may affect the DV, and are then allocated to the two conditions.

31
Q

Mean

A

The arithmetic average calculated by adding up all of the numbers and dividing by the number of variables.

32
Q

Median

A

The central value in a set of data where it is arranged from highest to lowest.

33
Q

Meta - analysis

A

The process of combining results from a number of studies to provide an overall view.

34
Q

Mode

A

The most frequently occurring score in a set of data.

35
Q

Natural experiment

A

An experiment where the change in the IV is not brought about by the researcher but would have happened if the researcher was not there.

36
Q

Negative correlation

A

As one co - variable increases, the other decreases.

37
Q

Non - directional hypothesis (two - tailed)

A

A hypothesis that states a difference or relationship between variables but does not state a direction.

38
Q

Operationalisation

A

Clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured.

39
Q

Opportunity sample

A

A sample of ppts produced by selecting people who are most easily available at the time of the study.

40
Q

Peer review

A

The assessment of scientific work by others who are specialists in the same field to ensure that research is high of quality.

41
Q

Pilot study

A

A small - scale version of an investigation that takes place before the real investigation to check procedures and materials so that changes can be made.

42
Q

Positive correlation

A

As one co - variable increases, so does the other.

43
Q

Primary data

A

Information that has been gathered first hand by the researcher often gathered directly from ppts.

44
Q

Qualitative data

A

Data expressed through words.

45
Q

Quantitative data

A

Data that is numerical and can be counted.

46
Q

Quasi - experiment

A

An experiment where the IV has not been determined by anyone but justs ‘exists’ (old or young).

47
Q

Questionnaire

A

A set of written questions used to assess a person’s thoughts and feelings.

48
Q

Range

A

A simple calculation of the dispersion in a set of data calculated by subtracting the lowest score from the highest score.

49
Q

Randomisation

A

The use of chance in order to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of conditions in an experiment.

50
Q

Random sample

A

A sampling method where every member of the target population has equal chance of being selected (names out of a hat).

51
Q

Reliability

A

The degree to which measuring device produces stable and consistent and reliable results.

52
Q

Repeated measures design

A

An experimental design where all ppts take part in both conditions of the experiment.

53
Q

Sample

A

The group of people who take part in the study.

54
Q

Secondary data

A

Information that has been gathered by someone else (work from other researchers).

55
Q

Standard deviation

A

A measure of dispersion which tells us how much each score deviates from the mean.

56
Q

Standardisation

A

Where the same formalised procedures and instructions are used for all ppts in a study.

57
Q

Stratified sample

A

A sampling technique in which groups of ppts are selected in proportion to their frequency in the population.

58
Q

Subjective

A

When a personal view is likely to bias the results.

59
Q

Systematic sample

A

A sampling method used to obtain a representative sample by selecting every nth term person.

60
Q

Target population

A

The entire group of people the researcher is interested in.

61
Q

Temporal validity

A

The extent to which findings from a research study can be generalised to other historical times, a type of external validity.

62
Q

Test - retest method

A

A method of assessing reliability by assessing the same person with the same questionnaire on 2 different occasions. Checked by correlating the results.

63
Q

Thematic analysis

A

A qualitative approach to analysis that involves identifying implicit and explicit ideas within the data.

64
Q

Validity

A

The extent to which an instrument accurately measures what it is supposed to be measuring.

65
Q

Volunteer sample

A

A sampling method which relies on inviting people to take part.

Psychology (12 decks)

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