research methods Flashcards
What is an Aim?
General statement of what the researcher intends to investigate, the purpose of the study
What is a Hypothesis?
A clear, precise, testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated.
What is a Non-directional hypothesis?
Simply states that there will be a difference made, does not specify
What is a directional hypothesis?
Predicts the direction of the effect that the independent variable will have on the dependent variable.
what is a pilot study? what is the purpouse?
-small scale prototype/replica of a study carried out in advance of the full research
-to find out if there are any problems with experimental design, instructions for participants, measuring instruments
what are the benefits of doing a pilot study?
-ensure that time, effort and money are not wasted on a flawed methodology
What are standardised procedures?
Very clear instructions that are the exact same for each participant in a condition.
Why should standardised procedures be used?
To reduce confounding variables
-ensure that the experiment is going as it should do
-reduce investigator effects
What is the purpose of a correlation?
-illustrates the strength and direction of an association between two or more co-variables
What is the difference between correlation and an experiment?
-In an experiment the researcher controls or manipulates the IV in order to measure the effect on the DV. As a result of this deliberate change in one variable it is possible to infer that the IV caused any observed changes in the DV.
-In a correlation, there is no manipulation of one variable therefore it is not possible to establish cause and effect.
What are the limitations of correlation?
-cannot demonstrate cause and effect as confounding variable could be causing change
-can be misused/ misinterpreted
What are the strengths of correlation?
-provide a precise and quantifiable measure of how two variables are related
-often used as a starting point before committing to experiment
-secondary data can be used
