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PSYCHOLOGY > RESEARCH METHODS > Flashcards

RESEARCH METHODS Flashcards

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1
Q

Name the 3 main types of experiment

A

LABORATORY
FIELD
NATURAL

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2
Q

Why are experiments particularly useful in testing theories?

A

They are able to identify a CAUSE & EFFECT.

Theories are claims about cause & effect.

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3
Q

What are extraneous variables?

A

They are variables that INTERFERE with how the IV affects the DV.

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4
Q

What is it called when an extraneous variable actually has an effect ?

A

It is knows as a CONFOUNDING VARIABLE.

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5
Q

What is standardising an experiment?

A

Standardising the processes in an experiment is making them the SAME for EVERYONE (apart from the IV) to avoid confounding variables.

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6
Q

Name the 5 main non-experimental methods

A 
SELF-REPORT MEASURES
CORRELATIONAL STUDIES
OBSERVATIONS
CASE STUDIES 
CONTENT ANALYSIS
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7
Q

What does it mean if a difference is being tested in an experiment?

A

Trying to identify whether or not one set of scores differs from another e.g is it higher?

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8
Q

What does it mean if a correlation is being tested in an experiment?

A

Is trying to find a relationship between an IV and a DV (CO-VARIABLES)

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9
Q

Give 3 different experimental designs

A

INDEPENDENT GROUPS
REPEATED MEASURES
MATCHED PAIR

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10
Q

Describe independent group design

A

Different participants in each condition

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11
Q

Describe repeated measures design

A

Same participants used in each condition

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12
Q

Describe matched pairs design

A

Each participant is paired with someone similar in the other condition

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13
Q

Give an issue that occurs when using independent groups design

A

There may be INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES between participants that affect the results

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14
Q

Give an issue that occurs when using repeated measures design

A

There may be ORDER EFFECTS.

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15
Q

What are order effects?

A

When taking part in the first condition effects what happens in the second condition. e.g fatigue or practice effects

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16
Q

What are demand characteristics?

A

This is when the participants try to guess the hypothesis or try to get the correct answer in order to please the researcher.

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17
Q

What is counterbalancing?

A

All participants go through both conditions but half go through condition 1 then condition 2 and the other half go through condition 2 first and then condition 1.

18
Q

How does using counterbalancing help remove order effects?

A

Using counterbalancing means that the ORDER EFFECTS should CANCEL EACH OTHER OUT

19
Q

What is randomisation?

A

When there are a series of tasks for the participants to complete the they can be mixed so that the participant is always switching between conditions.

20
Q

Describe the matched pairs design

A

In this design matched pairs are created by the researcher based on similar qualities of the participants. One of the pair goes through 1 of the conditions and the other goes through another condition.

21
Q

Why would matched pairs be used?

A

This design avoids order effects and minimises individual differences.

22
Q

Why would matched pairs not be used?

A

It is expensive and time consuming to match participants.

23
Q

What is a 1 tailed hypothesis?

A

One tailed gives a precise answer, e.g this will happen.

24
Q

What is a 2 tailed hypothesis?

A

Two tailed just simply states there will be a difference e.g will have an effect

25
Q

What is reliability of research?

A

How consistent research is. The extent to which the study measures the same thing.

26
Q

What is validity of research?

A

How true/real the research is. And the extent to which the study measures what is is supposed to measure.

27
Q

Give two aspects of reliability

A

Replicability of the method

Reliability of measurement

28
Q

Describe the replicability aspect of a method

A

The procedure should be CLEAR, UNAMBIGUOUS and DETAILED. To the extent that others should be EASILY ABLE TO REPLICATE the study.

29
Q

Describe the reliability of measurement aspect of a method

A

Whoever did the study should achieve the same results from the same participants. This is more likely if variables have been measuerd in a standardised way.

30
Q

Give two aspects of validity

A

Internal validity

External validity

31
Q

What does internal validity refer to?

A

How the study is conducted and the variables within the study

32
Q

What does external validity refer to?

A

How the results relate to the real world, not the research situation

33
Q

What 3 things effect the experimental validity/realism? (internal validity)

A

Do the participants believe the the experimental set up?
Are they realistically engaged with the task?
Does the study measure what it is supposed to measure?

34
Q

What 2 things effect the measurement and manipulation of variables? (internal validity)

A

Are the measurements of the DV/co-variables vaild and measure what they are supposed to measure?
Is the manipulation of the IV successful?

35
Q

How would you control the extraneous variables to prevent them effecting the internal validity?

A

Is the difference in results because of the IV?

Do extraneous variables effect the DV?

36
Q

How do extraneous variables affect the conclusion?

A

A conclusion cannot be drawn if there are extraneous variables.

37
Q

What is ecological validity?

A

How well the results generalise generalise to other contexts.
Does the situation in the study resemble real like?
Are the findings replicated in other studies & contexts?

38
Q

What is population validity?

A

How well the results generalise to other people.

Are the results the same in other cultures, age groups, gender, different time period etc

39
Q

What are demand characteristics?

A

Participants try to figure out what the aim of the study is.

‘cues that convey the hypothesis to the participant’

40
Q

What are social desirability effects?

A

Acting to please the researcher

41
Q

What is the Hawthorne effect?

A

Trying harder that you would in normal life.

42
Q

Give 2 ways that a researcher could control threats to validity

A

Deception: Deceiving the participant to hide the point of the study. e.g blind studies.
Use of a double blind procedure. Even the collector of data does not know the aim of the study or which condition each participant is in

PSYCHOLOGY (8 decks)

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