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A level Psychology AQA > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Name the 4 types of experiments

A

Lab , Field , Natural , Quasi

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2
Q

Name all the types of observations

A

Naturalistic , Controlled , Covert , Overt , Participant , Non - participant

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3
Q

name the types of self report technique

A

Questionnaire , Interviews

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4
Q

what is an experiment

A

involves the manipulation of an independent variable to measure the effect on the dependent variable .

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5
Q

what is a variable

A

any thing that can vary or change within an investigation . used to determine if change in one thing result in changes to another .

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6
Q

independent variable

A

the variable that is manipulated by the researcher so that they can measure the effect on the dependent variables.

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7
Q

dependent variable

A

variable that is measured by the researcher . Any effect on this variable should be caused by the changes in the independent variable .

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8
Q

what are the levels of the IV

A

control , experimental

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9
Q

what is the control condition

A

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 .

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10
Q

what is the experimental condition

A

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.

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11
Q

what happens after the control and experimental condition

A

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.

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12
Q

what is an aim

A

a general statement of what the researcher intend to find out in a research study .

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13
Q

what are the types of research hypotheses

A

directional , non directional

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14
Q

what is a research hypothesis

A

Predicts a statistically significant effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable or a significant relationship between variables .

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15
Q

how can you tell if an experiment is a directional difference hypothesis

A
  • 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 .
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16
Q

how can you tell if an experiment is a non directional difference hypothesis

A
  • 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 .
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17
Q

how can you tell if something is a directional relationship hypothesis

A
  • 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 )
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18
Q

how can you tell if something is a non directional relationship hypothesis

A
  • 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 .
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19
Q

what is a Non directional Hypothesis .

A
  • two tailed research hypothesis does not predict a direction of the results.
  • no previous research to allow prediction .
  • predict a significant difference between things .
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20
Q

null hypothesis

A

every psychology study has it . this predicts that a statistically significant effect or relationship will not be found .

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21
Q

what is the difference between aims and hypotheses

A

an aim is a goal of research , hypothesis is the testable statement .

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22
Q

what is the difference between an experimental and a correlational hypotheses .

A

either it says relationship or it is talking about a difference

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23
Q

Operationalise

A

the process of ensuring variables are in a form which can b e easily tested and specifically defined in order to be fully understood .

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24
Q

Extraneous variables

A

any variable other than the independent variables , that May have an effect on the DV if it is not controlled .

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25
Q

what are examples of extraneous variables.

A

noise , light , age , temperature , gender ,concentration .

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26
Q

Confounding variables

A

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

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27
Q

demand characteristics

A

any cue from the researcher or from the research situation that may be interpreted by participant as revealing the purpose of the investigation.

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28
Q

Investigator effect

A

any effect of the investigators’ behaviour ( conscious or unconscious ) on the dependent variable .

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29
Q

examples of investigator effects

A

age , gender , accent , manner

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30
Q

Randomisation

A

the use of chance to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of conditions

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31
Q

standardisation

A

using exactly the same formalised procedures and instruction for all participants

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32
Q

single blind procedures

A

when participants do not know which condition they are taking part in within an experiment.

33
Q

double blind procedures

A

when neither the participant nor the investigator know which condition the participants are taking part in .

34
Q

what are the types of experimental design

A

independent groups , repeated groups , matched pairs design .

35
Q

Independent groups design

A

different participants are used in each condition of the experiment . allocation should be random

36
Q

strengthen and weaknesses of independent group design .

A

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.

37
Q

Repeated measures design

A

the same participant take part in both conditions of the experiment .

38
Q

strengths and weaknesses of repeated measures design

A

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 .

39
Q

Counter balancing

A

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.

40
Q

matched pairs deign

A

pairs of participants are matched in terms of key variables such as age .

41
Q

strengths and weaknesses of matched pairs design

A

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.

42
Q

4 types of experimental methods

A

Laboratory , Field , Natural , Quasi

43
Q

Lab experiments

A

an experiment that takes place in a controlled environment

44
Q

Field experiment

A

An experiment that takes place in a natural setting within which the researcher manipulates the IV and recorders the effects on the DV.

45
Q

natural experiment

A

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 .

46
Q

Quasi

A

a study that is almost an
experiment but the IV has not been determined by anyone .

47
Q

Ecological validity

A

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 .

48
Q

Define Target population

A

Refers to a particular subset of the overall population from which the sample will be taken.

49
Q

Define Sample

A

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 .

50
Q

Define Representative sample

A

Contains the same characteristics as the target population from which the sample is taken.

51
Q

Define Generalisation

A

the extent to which findings and conclusions can be broadly applied to the population.

52
Q

Explain Random sampling

A
  • 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 )
53
Q

Explain Systematic sampling

A
  • 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.
54
Q

Explain Stratified sampling

A

-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 .

55
Q

Explain Opportunity sampling

A

-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.

56
Q

Explain Volunteer sampling

A
  • An advert is produced and individuals self select themselves to take part .
    -It is also referred as self-selection.
57
Q

What are strengths and weaknesses of Random sampling?

A

+ 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.

58
Q

What are strengths and weaknesses of
Systematic sampling?

A

+ Free from researcher bias
+ Usually fairly representative
- Time consuming to conduct
- Difficult to get a list of everyone
- Participants might refuse to take part.

59
Q

What are strengths and weaknesses of Stratified sampling

A

+ 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.

60
Q

What are strengths and weaknesses of
Opportunity sampling

A

+ 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

61
Q

What are strengths and weaknesses of Volunteer sampling

A

+ Easy
+Less time consuming
- Volunteer bias occurs - Unrepresentative sample

62
Q

Name some ethical issue

A

-Informed consent
-Right to withdraw
-confidentiality
- Deception
-Protection from harm

63
Q

Define Informed consent

A

-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.

64
Q

Explain the right to withdraw

A

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.

65
Q

Explain Confidentiality

A

A participants right to have their personal information protected .
can include anonymity in which a participant has a right to be nameless .

66
Q

Explain protection from harm

A

-During a research study, participants should not experience negative physical or psychological effects such as physical injury, lowered self esteem or embarrassment.

67
Q

Explain deception

A

-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.

68
Q

What should be included in a debrief

A

-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.

69
Q

Explain Naturalistic observation

A

Watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which it would normally occur.

70
Q

Explain Controlled observation

A

Watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment i.e one where some variables are managed.

71
Q

Explain covert observation

A
  • Participants behaviour is watched and recorded WITHOUT their knowledge and consent .
72
Q

Explain Overt observations

A

-Participants behaviour is watched and recorded WITH their knowledge and consent

73
Q

Explain Participant observations

A
  • The research becomes a member of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching and recording.
74
Q

Explain Non-Participant observations

A
  • the researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching and recording.
75
Q

Name the two Observation design

A

Structured
Unstructured

76
Q

Explain and evaluate Unstructured observations

A

-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.

77
Q

Explain structured observation

A

-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 .

78
Q

Define Observer bias

A

When observers’ expectations impact what they see or hear.
this reduces the validity of the observations.

79
Q

Define and explain Behavioural categories+Target behaviour

A

A level Psychology AQA (12 decks)

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