Research Methods Flashcards
Research Methods
Define the following:
- standardisation
- randomisation
- generalisation
AO1
standardisation: to keep procedures the same for both conditions (excluding the IV)
randomisation: aspects of the researcher should be chosen by chance/randomised to avoid researcher bias
generalisation: the process of deriving a concept, judgment, principle, or theory from a limited number of specific cases and applying it more widely, often to an entire class of objects, events, or people.
Research Methods
What types of experimental methods are there? Give examples of each.
AO1
2 possible answers
Experimental methods:
- lab
- field
- natural
Non-experimental methods:
- observations
- questionarres
- interviews
- case studies
- correlations
…
Research Methods
Define operationalising.
AO1
2 possible answers
Being specific about how you are manipulating the IV and measuring the DV
eg. the mean number of presents drawn by the children.
Research Methods
What is a hypothesis?
AO1
A testable prediction about what the researcher believes will happen in their study.
(before the research is conducted)
there will (not) be a significant difference in/on…
Research Methods
What is the difference between a null hypothesis and an alternative hypothesis?
AO1
Alternative hypothesis is when you state there will be a difference between the two conditions of the study, whereas a null hypothesis is when you state there will not be a difference between the two conditions.
null - no difference
if the Q doesn’t state which to use, write an alternative hypothesis.
Research Methods
Define extraneous variable. What do researchers aim to do with them? Why?
AO1
Variables other than the IV which affect the DV.
Researchers aim to control them to establish a cause and effect, as well as increase the validity of their study.
Research Methods
What is a laboratory experiment? What are the advantages and disadvantages of conducting it?
AO3
An experiment which takes place in a laboratory (highly controlled environment).
S: High control over extraneous variables. High reliability.
W: Low ecological validity. Prone to demand characteristics.
e.g. lab
Research Methods
What is a field experiment? What are the advantages and disadvantages of conducting it?
AO3
An experiment which takes place in a natural environment (for the ppts).
S: High ecological validity, as it is carried out in a real life environment which makes results easier to generalise. Less prone to demand characteristics, as the ppts are less likely to pick up on clues on the experiment and change their natural behaviour.
W: Low control of extraneous variables, as the research is carried out in a natural environment, decreasing the validity of the study. Low reliability because it is difficult to repeat the study in exactly the same conditions, to see if the researcher can achieve consistent results.
e.g. offfice, school, park.
Research Methods
What is a natural experiment? What are the advantages and disadvantages of conducting it?
AO3
The researcher takes advantage of a naturally occuring event (IV).
S: High ecological validity. Provides opportunities for the research that could not be undertaken due to ethical reasons as the researcher is not manipulating the IV.
W: Low control over extraneous variables. Limited opportunities for this type of research because some events may be very rare.
e.g. yearly event
Research Methods
What is a repeated measures design?
AO1
experimental designs
Participants will take part in both conditions, as the same group of participants completes the experimental condition and control condition.
AO3: order effects, no individual differences
Research Methods
What is an independent groups design?
AO1
experimental designs
Participants only take part in one condition of the IV, as there are different participants in each condition (sample is split in half).
AO3: no order effects, individual differences
this is a independent groups design (P), because participants only take part in one condition (E), either… or… (L)
Research Methods
What is a matched pairs design?
AO1
experimental designs
Participants are pre-tested on a key variable that could affect the study, before being paired up with another participant based on their results (similar scores), then they are split across two experimental conditions.
AO3: reduces individual differences, time consuming
this is a matched pairs design (P), because participants were pretested on (name test) before the experiment and those with the same scores were matched up. (E)
Research Methods
Explain random sampling.
AO1
sampling
Each person in the targey population has an equal chance of being selected from a hat after all their names have been written and placed.
AO3: avoids researcher bias, time consuming
Research Methods
Explain opportunity sampling.
AO1
sampling
Sample is selected based on who is at that place at that moment in time.
AO3: quick and easy, prone to researcher bias
Research Methods
Explain systemic sampling.
AO1
sampling
A system is applied to select participants for the sample, using a sampling frame/sequence.
AO3: avoids researcher bias, may not be representative
Research Methods
Explain stratisfied sampling.
AO1
sampling
Advanced way of sampling where the make-up of the sample reflects on the proportions of certain subgroups in the target population.
AO3: most representative, very time consuming
Research Methods
What is the difference between controlled and naturalistic observations?
AO1
observations
Controlled takes place in an artificial environment, where the researcher can control extraneous variables, whereas naturalistic takes place in real-life environment, where the behaviours would nomally occur.
AO3: consider validity, reliability, and control
Research Methods
What is the difference between overt and covert observations?
AO1
observations
Participants are aware their behaviour is being observed in over observations, but they are unaware in covert.
AO3: consider informed consent and demand characteristics
Research Methods
What is the difference between participant and non-participant observations?
AO1
observations
In participant observations, the researcher becomes part of the group they are studying, but in non-participant, they simply observe from afar.
AO3: consider in-depth understanding and researcher bias
Research Methods
Define inter-observer reliability.
AO1
observations
When researchers want to see if their behaviour categories are reliable. In order to do this, we use a second observer to check the results are the same as the original observer.
this can help reduce researcher bias too
Research Methods
What are the strengths and weaknesses of questionnares?
AO3
self-report methods
S: Easily distributed to a wide range of people, meaning the researcher can gather lots of results which are easier to generalise to the target population.
W: Open to social desirability, as people may lie to present themselves in the best possible light (reducing validity).
Research Methods
What are the strengths and weaknesses of interviews?
AO3
self-report methods
S: Ppts can ask for clarification if they do not understand a question as the researcher is present during an interview, and vise versa.
W: Prone to social desirability. More time-consuming.
Research Methods
What are the strengths and weaknesses of case studies?
AO3
case studies
S: Provide rich and detailed information about a person, group, or event, as they use qualitative data and methods. They allow researchers to study rare and unusual behaviours.
W: They have low population validity, as they are only based on a person or small group of people (difficuly to generalise. The data can be subjective, or based on the researcher’s own perspective.
Research Methods
Define deception.
AO1
ethics
When the participants are not told the true aim of the study deliberately, to prevent participants from showing demand characteristics.
Research Methods
Define informed consent.
AO1
ethics
Where participants give permission to take part in the study after being informed of the true aims of the research.
participants can give retrospective consent
