Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psychology > Research methods > Flashcards

Research methods Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® Psychology flashcards Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

Abstract

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Bias

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Case study

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Confounding variable

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Content analysis

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Continuous data

A

Data that is not in categories.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Correlation

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Correlation coefficient

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Counterbalancing

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Deception

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Dependent variable

A

The variable that is measured.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Descriptive statistics

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Directional hypothesis (one - tailed)

A

A hypothesis which states the direction of difference or relationship.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Discrete data

A

Data that can only take certain values.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Extraneous variable

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Falsifiability

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Field experiment

A

An experiment that takes place in a natural setting.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Generalistaion

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Hypothesis

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Independent variable

A

The variable being manipulated.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions