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Research Methods Flashcards

1
Q

What is an aim?
2 things it should seek to do

A

Inviolves deciding the purpose of the investigations.
- describe what the investigation is finding out
- be clear and uncomplicated

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2
Q

what is a variable?

A

something that can change or vary in amount or type and is measureable

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3
Q

what is an independent variable

A

variable that is changed to measure the effect on the dv

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4
Q

what is a dependent variable

A

what is observed or measured

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5
Q

what type of relationship does the iv and dv have

A

cause and effect relationship

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6
Q

what is an extraneous variable?

A

any variable other than the iv that MAY cause a chgange in the dv which affects results

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7
Q

what is a confounding variable?

A

a type of extraneous variable that DID cause an affect on the DV

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8
Q

what are controlled variables?

A

variables that may influence the DV so needs to be held constant to remove potential effects

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9
Q

what is a hypothesis and what are 3 things it should include

A

a hypothesis is a testable prediction of how the IV will effect the DV
- events that can be tested
- expected direction
- clear and defines

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10
Q

what is a theory and model?

A

theory - a general explanation of a set of observatons or findings about behaviours and mental processes which seem to be related.
model - represebts how behvauour or mental precoess could occur

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11
Q

what is random sampling?
1 strength and limitation

A

every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.
- minimises differences in partiicpant characteristics
- can only be done if a complete list of population is available

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12
Q

what is stratified sampling

A

identifying all of the people within each strata of the research interest, then randomly selcting samples of proportionate size within each strata
- time consuming and expensive

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13
Q

what is random allocation?

A

every participnt has an equal chance of being in either the experimental or the control group

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14
Q

what are three sources of error

A
  • random errors: occur randomly and are hard to predict
  • systematic errors: produced by a factor that consistently favours one condition rather than the other
  • personal errors: mistakes made by the researcher
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15
Q

what are order effects?

A

a type of extraneous varibale that occurs during within subjects’ experiments
the performance on the DV can be influenced by the specific order in which the experimental task are presented.

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16
Q

what is a within subjects design
1 advanatge and disadvantage

A

all subjects participate in all experiemental conditions
- a lower # of participants is needed
- - time consuming

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17
Q

what is a between subjects design
1 advantage/disadvantage

A

each participant is rabndomly allocated to one of the experiemental conditions
- no need to spread out time
- difficult to generalise to the population as there is low external validity

18
Q

what is a cross sectional design
1 ad/disad

A

selects and compares different groups of participants n one or more variables of interest at a single point in time
- can be conducted quickly
- cause and affect r/ship b/w dif variables cannot be tested

19
Q

mixed design
1 adva/disadva

A

combines both within and between sibejcts design which is acheived by usuing pre and post testing of participants
- precise results
- complex to carry out

20
Q

different research settings and their advan/disadvan
6

A
  • labaratory setting: strict control of varivakes bt can be considered artificial
  • field experiment: behaviour is natural but hard to control variables
  • correlational studies: asssits in indictating patterns but cnnot be used for cause and effect r/ship
  • case studies: detailed and valauble information but cannot estavblish cause/effect r/ship
  • observational studies
  • highy realistic but can be difficult to determine casued of observed behaviour
21
Q

what are single and double blind procedures?

A

single - subejcts dont know what group theyre in
double - both participants and experiementers do not know the condition they have been allocated to

22
Q

primary and secondary data
1 strength and weakness

A

Primary - collected first hand
- expensive but specific
Secondary - sources through someone elses research
- not always up to date but data is usually always available

23
Q

subjective and objective data
1 strength and weakness

A

subjective - information based on personal opinions
- gives good insight but not comparable
objective - data that s directly observed
- visibla but unable to identity extraneous variables as there are no reasons to why

24
Q

qualitative and quantative data
1 weakness

A

qualitative - information about the qualoities of what is being studies
- hard to compare
quantative - numerical data
- not as specific

25
what are the 3 measures of central decency
Mean - average (good for large amounts) Median - middle number in order ( good for when there are outliers) Mode - most frequent number ( good for identifying patterns
26
uncertainty
Lack of knowledge or confidence in data being measured due to potential sources of variation in knowledge.
27
inferential and descriptive statistics
Inferential statistics Mathematical calculations used to make inferences, judgements and conclusions about data. Descriptive statistics Used to summarise organise and interpret data.
28
validiity 2 subsections
Validity Refers to the extent to which a tool measures what it is supposed to measure Internal The extent to which the results obtained for a study are actually due to the variables. External Can the results be generalised to the population?
29
reliability, two subsections
Reliability The extent to which a tool measures something consistently each time it is applied Repeatability If the research is repeated will it produce the same results? Reproducibility If research is reproduced under different conditions will there be similar results?
30
conclusions
A statement that addresses the research questions in the context of the research findings.
31
generalisations
A statement relating to the findings of the investigation to the wider population.
32
questionnaries focus groups interviews yarning circles simulation studies 1advan/disadvan
Questionnaires Written set of questions designed to draw out self reports information from people on a topic of research interest. Easy to replicate but difficult to construct and validate. Interviews Involves questions that are asked by the researcher with the aim of obtaining a self report. Structured interviews are quicker to administer and summarise but need well developed language skills Focus groups Small set of people who share characteristics and are selected to discuss a topic on which they have personal experience Encourages open discussion but does not allow for confidentiality. Yarning Circles Used for indigenous participants using reciprocal dialogue to participate in focus groups Information on sensitive topics can be obtained but provides subjective data. Simulation studies Reproducing situations in a realistic way to investigate behaviour and mental processes in that environment Overcomes ethical issues but artificial so may impact participant reactions.
33
classification and identification
Classification and Identification Assist in placing concepts in a manageable form. Classifications - arrangement of phenomena, objects or events into manageable sets. Identification - process of recognition of phenomena belonging to a particular sets or possibly being part of a new set. Can narrow the focus of the research nit labelling though identification can lead to stereotyping.
34
literature review
Collection and analysis of secondary data. Can provide an overview of a body of work but does not in itself test new ideas.
35
modelling
Construction or manipulation of either a physical model such as a small or large scale representation of an object or a conceptual model. - can be useful for studying conepts but large aount of valid source data is needed
36
Product, Process or System Development
Design or evaluation of an artefact, process or system to meet a human need which may involve technological applications in addition to scientific knowledge or procedures.
37
particpant rights 6
Confidentiality The privacy, projection and security of a participant's personal information in terms of personal details, and the anonymity of individual results, including the removal of identifying elements. Debriefing Ensures that at the end of the experiment, the participants leave understanding the experimental aim, results and conclusion. Participants' questions are addressed and support is provided to ensure there is no lasting harm from their involvement in the study. Informed consent Ensures participants understand the nature and purpose of the experiment, including potential risks before agreeing to the study. Use of deception (lying) in research is discouraged Use of deception is discouraged in research and used only when necessary. Voluntary participation Ensures there is no coercion or pressure on the participants to partake in the experiment and they freely choose to be involved. Withdrawal rights Participants are able to discontinue their involvement in an experiment at any time during or after the conclusion of an experiment, without penalty.
38
ethical principles 5
Integrity The commitment to searching for knowledge and understanding and the honest reporting of all sources of information and results, whether favourable or unfavourable. Respect Consideration of the extent to which living things have intrinsic values and instrumental value. Beneficence The commitments maximising the benefits and minimising the risks and harm involved in taking a particular position or course of action. Justice The moral obligation to ensure that there is a fair consideration of competing claims. Non maleficence Involves avoiding the causations of harm, however, as a position or course of action may involve some degree of harm.
39
Correlational studies
Measure how the relationship between variables co relate Numbers between -1 and 1
40
Decrease/Increase % change
Find the difference between numbers Divide by initial value Multiply by 100
41
When can findings be generalised? 3
- sample is representative - no problems - extraneous/confounding variables have been controlled

Psychology (7 decks)

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