Research methods Flashcards
Abstract
The key details of a scientific report which comes at the start of the report.
Bias
Where certain groups maybe under or over - represented within the sample.
Case study
A research method that involves a detailed study of an individual.
Coding
The stage of content analysis in which the communication to be studied is analysed by identifying each instance of the chosen categories.
Confounding variable
Any variable, other than the IV that may have affected the DV, is found after the study.
Content analysis
An observational study in which behaviour is observed indirectly from pre - existing materials.
Continuous data
Data that is not in categories.
Correlation
A mathematical technique which investigates the relationship between 2 co - variables.
Correlation coefficient
A number between -1 and +1 that represents the direction and strength of the relationship between co - variables.
Counterbalancing
A method used to control for order effects in a repeated measures design.
Debrief
A post - research interview designed to inform ppts of the true nature of the study and return them to their pre - experimental state.
Deception
An ethical issue where a ppt is not told the true aims of the study and cannot give informed consent.
Demand characteristics
Any cue from the researcher or the situation that may be interpreted by the ppts as revealing the purpose of the investigation.
Dependent variable
The variable that is measured.
Descriptive statistics
The use of tables, graphs and summary methods to identify trends in the data.
Directional hypothesis (one - tailed)
A hypothesis which states the direction of difference or relationship.
Discrete data
Data that can only take certain values.
Ecological validity
The extent to which findings from a research can be generalised to other settings and situations. A type of external validity.
Extraneous variable
Any variable, other than the IV, that may affect the DV if not controlled before the experiment.
Falsifiability
The principle that a theory cannot be considered to be scientific unless it admits the possibility of being untrue.
Field experiment
An experiment that takes place in a natural setting.
Generalistaion
The extent to which findings and conclusions from an investigation can be applied to the population.
Hypothesis
A precise statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated.
Independent variable
The variable being manipulated.
Independent groups design
An experimental design where ppts are allocated to different groups where each group represents an experimental or control condition.
Informed consent
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.
Inter - observer reliability
The extent to which there is agreement between two or more observers. This is checked by correlating the measurements of the two observers.
Investigator effects
An effect of the investigators behaviour on the research outcome.
Lab experiment
An experiment which takes place in a controlled environment with strict control of extraneous variables.
Matched pairs design
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.
Mean
The arithmetic average calculated by adding up all of the numbers and dividing by the number of variables.
Median
The central value in a set of data where it is arranged from highest to lowest.
Meta - analysis
The process of combining results from a number of studies to provide an overall view.
Mode
The most frequently occurring score in a set of data.
Natural experiment
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.
Negative correlation
As one co - variable increases, the other decreases.
Non - directional hypothesis (two - tailed)
A hypothesis that states a difference or relationship between variables but does not state a direction.
Operationalisation
Clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured.
Opportunity sample
A sample of ppts produced by selecting people who are most easily available at the time of the study.
Peer review
The assessment of scientific work by others who are specialists in the same field to ensure that research is high of quality.
Pilot study
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.
Positive correlation
As one co - variable increases, so does the other.
Primary data
Information that has been gathered first hand by the researcher often gathered directly from ppts.
Qualitative data
Data expressed through words.
Quantitative data
Data that is numerical and can be counted.
Quasi - experiment
An experiment where the IV has not been determined by anyone but justs ‘exists’ (old or young).
Questionnaire
A set of written questions used to assess a person’s thoughts and feelings.
Range
A simple calculation of the dispersion in a set of data calculated by subtracting the lowest score from the highest score.
Randomisation
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.
Random sample
A sampling method where every member of the target population has equal chance of being selected (names out of a hat).
Reliability
The degree to which measuring device produces stable and consistent and reliable results.
Repeated measures design
An experimental design where all ppts take part in both conditions of the experiment.
Sample
The group of people who take part in the study.
Secondary data
Information that has been gathered by someone else (work from other researchers).
Standard deviation
A measure of dispersion which tells us how much each score deviates from the mean.
Standardisation
Where the same formalised procedures and instructions are used for all ppts in a study.
Stratified sample
A sampling technique in which groups of ppts are selected in proportion to their frequency in the population.
Subjective
When a personal view is likely to bias the results.
Systematic sample
A sampling method used to obtain a representative sample by selecting every nth term person.
Target population
The entire group of people the researcher is interested in.
Temporal validity
The extent to which findings from a research study can be generalised to other historical times, a type of external validity.
Test - retest method
A method of assessing reliability by assessing the same person with the same questionnaire on 2 different occasions. Checked by correlating the results.
Thematic analysis
A qualitative approach to analysis that involves identifying implicit and explicit ideas within the data.
Validity
The extent to which an instrument accurately measures what it is supposed to be measuring.
Volunteer sample
A sampling method which relies on inviting people to take part.
