Research Methods Flashcards
Features of Science
Objectivity
Repeatability
Measurable and testable concepts
Trial and error
Hypothesis testing
Paradigm shifts
Aim
A general expression of what the researcher intends to investigate
Hypothesis
A predictive statement of what the research believes they will find
Directional (one tailed) - states whether changes will be greater or lesser
Non-directional (two tailed) - predicts difference / correlation
Independent Variable
The thing you change to see the effect on the DV
Dependent Variable
The thing you are measuring
Extraneous Variables
Other things that could affect the DV that you are not measuring
Confounding Variable
Other variable that have affected your results
Demand Characteristics
Any cue from the research situation or researcher that may reveal the aim of the the study and ptps react accordingly
= research issue
Pilot Study
A trial run of the research to work out any problems
Randomisation
The use of chance when designing an investigation to control for the effects of bias
= research techniques
Standardisation
Using exactly the same formalised procedure for all ptps in the same study
= research technique
Control Groups
Used for the purpose of setting a comparison
Act as a baseline to help establish causation
Single Blind
Ptp doesn’t know the aim of the study
Double Blind
Ptp and researcher don’t know the aim of the study
Independent Groups
One group condition A and the second group to condition B
Ptps should be randomly allocated to groups
No order effects
Less likely to guess aim
Ptp variables
More ptps used
Repeated Measures
Same ptps in all conditions
The order should be counterbalanced to avoid order effects
Ptps variables
Fewer ptps
Order effects
Ptps may guess aim
Matched Pairs
Two groups of ptps are used but are related to each other by being paired in Ptp variables that matter to the experiment
Ptp variables = matched
No order effects
Matching not perfect
More ptps
Lab Experiment
Controlled environment when EVs and CVs can be regulated
Ptps go to researcher
IV = manipulated and the effect on the DV recorded
EVs & CVs = controlled
Can be easily replicated
May lack gen
DCs
Field Experiment
Natural setting
Researcher goes to ptps
IV = manipulated and effect on DV = recorded
More natural environment
Greater external validity
More difficult to control CVs
Ethical issues
Natural experiment
Doesn’t manipulate IV - would have varied even if the experimenter not interested
DV may = naturally occurring
Ethical
Greater external validity
Natural event may only occur rarely
Ptps not randomly allocated
Quasi Experiment
IV based on pre-existing difference e.g., age / gender
No one has manipulated the variable
DV may be naturally occurring or be measured by the experimenter
High control
Comparison can be made between ppl
Ptps not randomly allocated
Causal relas not established
Population Vs Sample
Population = large group of ppl the researcher is interested in investigating
Sample = usually not possible to include all population in study so smaller group is selected
Opportunity Sample
Ppl who are the most available and willing at the time
= quick but biased
Volunteer Sample
Ptps select selves for study
Ptps = willing but is likely to = biased