Research Methods Flashcards
Name the 4 types of experiments
Lab , Field , Natural , Quasi
Name all the types of observations
Naturalistic , Controlled , Covert , Overt , Participant , Non - participant
name the types of self report technique
Questionnaire , Interviews
what is an experiment
involves the manipulation of an independent variable to measure the effect on the dependent variable .
what is a variable
any thing that can vary or change within an investigation . used to determine if change in one thing result in changes to another .
independent variable
the variable that is manipulated by the researcher so that they can measure the effect on the dependent variables.
dependent variable
variable that is measured by the researcher . Any effect on this variable should be caused by the changes in the independent variable .
what are the levels of the IV
control , experimental
what is the control condition
an experiment that provides a baseline measure of behaviour without the manipulation of the independent variable . E.G control condition would drink water and we would measure how fast they talk .
what is the experimental condition
an experiment that involves the manipulation of the independent variable . E.G experimental condition would be drink the energy drink and we would measure how fast they talk.
what happens after the control and experimental condition
results from this condition are compared to results from the control condition . E.g we would compare the speed of the talking between the energy drink group and the water group - did the energy drink increase the speed of the talking.
what is an aim
a general statement of what the researcher intend to find out in a research study .
what are the types of research hypotheses
directional , non directional
what is a research hypothesis
Predicts a statistically significant effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable or a significant relationship between variables .
how can you tell if an experiment is a directional difference hypothesis
- It states a difference between two conditions (E.g “athletes who have a training partner are likely to score higher on a questionnaire measuring motivation levels than athletes who train alone . )
- its one tailed it predicts the direction of the results .
how can you tell if an experiment is a non directional difference hypothesis
- It states a difference between two conditions (E.g there will be a difference In questionnaire scores in athletes who train. alone and with a training partner . )
- its two tailed it predicts the direction of the results .
how can you tell if something is a directional relationship hypothesis
- correlation hypothesis as it is stating a relationship between two things (E.g there will be a significant positive correlation/ relationship between at the athletes motivation questionnaire score and the number of partners athletes train with )
how can you tell if something is a non directional relationship hypothesis
- correlation hypothesis as it is stating a relationship between two things (E.g there will be a relationship between questionnaire scores and number of training partner . )
- two tailed hypothesis as its not predicting the direction of results .
what is a Non directional Hypothesis .
- two tailed research hypothesis does not predict a direction of the results.
- no previous research to allow prediction .
- predict a significant difference between things .
null hypothesis
every psychology study has it . this predicts that a statistically significant effect or relationship will not be found .
what is the difference between aims and hypotheses
an aim is a goal of research , hypothesis is the testable statement .
what is the difference between an experimental and a correlational hypotheses .
either it says relationship or it is talking about a difference
Operationalise
the process of ensuring variables are in a form which can b e easily tested and specifically defined in order to be fully understood .
Extraneous variables
any variable other than the independent variables , that May have an effect on the DV if it is not controlled .
what are examples of extraneous variables.
noise , light , age , temperature , gender ,concentration .
Confounding variables
Any extraneous variable that varies systematically with the independent variable , so that we cannot be sure of the true source of change to the DV
demand characteristics
any cue from the researcher or from the research situation that may be interpreted by participant as revealing the purpose of the investigation.
Investigator effect
any effect of the investigators’ behaviour ( conscious or unconscious ) on the dependent variable .
examples of investigator effects
age , gender , accent , manner
Randomisation
the use of chance to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of conditions
standardisation
using exactly the same formalised procedures and instruction for all participants
single blind procedures
when participants do not know which condition they are taking part in within an experiment.
double blind procedures
when neither the participant nor the investigator know which condition the participants are taking part in .
what are the types of experimental design
independent groups , repeated groups , matched pairs design .
Independent groups design
different participants are used in each condition of the experiment . allocation should be random
strengthen and weaknesses of independent group design .
strength :
demand characteristics - are avoided as participants only take part in one condition , therefore they’re less likely to guess the aims .
order effects - are avoided as participants cannot get better or worse between conditions .
Weaknesses :
more participants - are required to produce the same amount of dates repeated measures design.
Participant variable - difference between groups might be because of the characteristics of the group rather than the manipulation of the DV.
Repeated measures design
the same participant take part in both conditions of the experiment .
strengths and weaknesses of repeated measures design
strengths
fewer participants required - as all participants are taking part in all conditions .
Participant variables are controlled for - there are no individual differences between groups as the same people are taking part .
Weakness
Order effects - the order of the conditions may have an effect on the behaviour . some people may have improved between conditions .
Demand characteristics - participants are more likely to work out the aims of the research .
Counter balancing
an attempt to control for the effects of order effects in a repeated measures design - half the participants experience the condition in one order and the other half experience in the opposite order.
matched pairs deign
pairs of participants are matched in terms of key variables such as age .
strengths and weaknesses of matched pairs design
strengths
participant variables are reduced - researcher tries to match participants as much as possible on important aspects.
Order effects are avoided
Demand characteristics are reduced
Weaknesses
Time consuming to match participants
Individuals differences still occur - the matching of participants can never be exact so participants variables still affect the experiment.
4 types of experimental methods
Laboratory , Field , Natural , Quasi
Lab experiments
an experiment that takes place in a controlled environment
Field experiment
An experiment that takes place in a natural setting within which the researcher manipulates the IV and recorders the effects on the DV.
natural experiment
an experiment where the change in the IV is not brought about by the researcher but would of happened even if the researcher had not been there .
Quasi
a study that is almost an
experiment but the IV has not been determined by anyone .
Ecological validity
there are two types :
High - which indicates that the findings of the researcher can be generalised and applied to real life situations .
Low - which indicates that findings cannot be generalised to real life .
Define Target population
Refers to a particular subset of the overall population from which the sample will be taken.
Define Sample
Refers to the group of people who take part in research investigation. It is drawn from the target population and is presumed to be representative of the population .
Define Representative sample
Contains the same characteristics as the target population from which the sample is taken.
Define Generalisation
the extent to which findings and conclusions can be broadly applied to the population.
Explain Random sampling
- Each member of a population has an equal chance of being selected .
- A list of all members of the target population is obtained.
- All of the names on the list are assigned a number.
- The sample is generated using some sort of lottery method (e.g. random number generator or picking out of a hat )
Explain Systematic sampling
- When every nth member of the target population is selected from a sampling frame.
- A sampling frame list is created . this is a list of people in the target population organised into an order .
- A sampling system is nominated based on the number of people required for the sample . if you have 25 people and you need a sample of 5 people , you would choose every 5th person on the list.
Explain Stratified sampling
-The composition of the sample reflects the proportions of people in certain sub-groups with the target population.
- Before stratified sampling can occur the researcher must identify the different subgroup within the target pop.
- The proportions needed for the sample to be representative are worked out.
- The researcher then works out how many participants are needed from each subgroup to makeup the sample some are picked randomly .
Explain Opportunity sampling
-Selecting anyone who happens to be willing or available to take part.
- The researcher simply takes the chance to ask whoever is around at the time of their study.
Explain Volunteer sampling
- An advert is produced and individuals self select themselves to take part .
-It is also referred as self-selection.
What are strengths and weaknesses of Random sampling?
+ Free from researcher bias
- Time consuming to conduct
-Difficult to get a list of everyone
- Sample could be unrepresentative by chance
-Participants might refuse to take part.
What are strengths and weaknesses of
Systematic sampling?
+ Free from researcher bias
+ Usually fairly representative
- Time consuming to conduct
- Difficult to get a list of everyone
- Participants might refuse to take part.
What are strengths and weaknesses of Stratified sampling
+ Free from researcher bias
+Produces the most representative sample
-Complete representation of sample is not possible
- Time consuming to conduct
-Participants might refuse to take part.
What are strengths and weaknesses of
Opportunity sampling
+ Saves time
+ Saves money
- Unrepresentative sample - only people who are around at the time.
- Unrepresentative sample - only some people will say yes.
- Researcher bias occurs
What are strengths and weaknesses of Volunteer sampling
+ Easy
+Less time consuming
- Volunteer bias occurs - Unrepresentative sample
Name some ethical issue
-Informed consent
-Right to withdraw
-confidentiality
- Deception
-Protection from harm
Define Informed consent
-Participants have the right to be given comprehensive information concerning the nature and purpose of the research and their role in it, in order to make an informed decision.
Explain the right to withdraw
Participants should have a right to withdraw from participating in a study if they are uncomfortable in any way and should also have the right to refuse permission for the researcher to use any data they produced.
Explain Confidentiality
A participants right to have their personal information protected .
can include anonymity in which a participant has a right to be nameless .
Explain protection from harm
-During a research study, participants should not experience negative physical or psychological effects such as physical injury, lowered self esteem or embarrassment.
Explain deception
-This means to deliberately mislead or withhold information from participants at any stage in the study . i.e. it is where a participant is not told the true aims of the study and what it will involve - therefore participants cannot give truly informed consent.
What should be included in a debrief
-true aims
- information about the stooges
- how their data will be used
- right to with draw data
-reassurance that behaviour typical
-Offer of counselling
-Confidentiality of data.
Explain Naturalistic observation
Watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which it would normally occur.
Explain Controlled observation
Watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment i.e one where some variables are managed.
Explain covert observation
- Participants behaviour is watched and recorded WITHOUT their knowledge and consent .
Explain Overt observations
-Participants behaviour is watched and recorded WITH their knowledge and consent
Explain Participant observations
- The research becomes a member of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching and recording.
Explain Non-Participant observations
- the researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching and recording.
Name the two Observation design
Structured
Unstructured
Explain and evaluate Unstructured observations
-If the researcher is writing down everything that they see it is an unstructured observation.
- This is appropriate to do when the observation is in small scale and involves few participants.
Produces Qualitative data .
* - however is more prone to bias because researcher may only record. those behaviours that catch their eyes and these may not be the most important of useful.
Explain structured observation
-Might be used because there is too much going on for the researcher to record everything.
-Structured observation allow the researcher to quantify their observations.
-Produces quantitive data .
Define Observer bias
When observers’ expectations impact what they see or hear.
this reduces the validity of the observations.
Define and explain Behavioural categories+Target behaviour
