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Psychology > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Define the Aim.

A

Driven by theory and states the intent of a study

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2
Q

Define a hypotheses.

A

A prediction of an investigations outcome that makes specific reference to the DV and IV

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3
Q

What must a hypotheses include?

A
  • independent and dependent variable
  • directional or non directional
  • must be operationalised (measurable)
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4
Q

Define a non directional hypothesis

A

Will predict the independent variable to have an effect but is not specific what the outcome will be.

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5
Q

Define a directional hypothesis.

A

Will predict the nature of the effect

E.g people who consume alcohol will be more aggressive on a scale from 1-10 than those who do not consume alcohol.

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6
Q

When do you use a directional hypothesis?

A

When there is past research

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7
Q

When do you use a non direction hypotheses.

A

When prior research is …
- unclear
- contradictory
- non - existent

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8
Q

What is the null hypothesis?

A

A statement of no difference or relationship or effect

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9
Q

When do you have a null hypothesis?

A

ALWAYS

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10
Q

Define inference.

A

A logical conclusion that is made based on prior knowledge and observable evidence

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11
Q

Define operationalised.

A

Measurable

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12
Q

What is an extraneous variable?

A

An unwanted variable which could impact the dependant variable and cause effect.

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13
Q

What is a confounding variable?

A

A variable which isn’t the IV but will effect the DV therefore the outcome is meaningless.
(an uncontrolled extraneous variable )

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14
Q

What is it where you make all aspects of the environment and procedure the same for everyone throughout the experiment.

A

Standardisation

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15
Q

Name three ways to standardise an experiment.

A
  • single blind
  • double blind
  • random allocation
  • standardised instructions
  • ensure anonymity
  • counterbalancing
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16
Q

Define a single blind study.

A

Where you don’t tell the participants what the study is about so they have no prior knowledge

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17
Q

What is a double blind study?

A

Where both the experimenter and participant don’t know the aim of the study.

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18
Q

Define random allocation.

A

Randomly assigning participants to each condition of the IV

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19
Q

What are standardised instructions?

A

A pre written list of instructions which act as a script and are read the same from experimenter to participants

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20
Q

Define ensure anonymity.

A

Make sure the participants always know the results are anonymous

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21
Q

What is counterbalancing?

A

Change up the order of conditions for each participant

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22
Q

List 5 extraneous variables.

A
  • situational
  • participant
  • demand characteristics
  • investigator/ experimenter
  • order effects
  • social desirability
  • placebo effect
23
Q

Define situational variables and state how you’d control them.

A
  • factors in the environment that unintentionally effect the DV.
  • e.g. noise and temp
  • standardisation
24
Q

Define participant variables and state how you’d control them.

A
  • individual characteristics impacts how they respond in the experiment
  • e.g. IQ
  • random allocation
25
Q

Define demand characteristics and state how you’d control them.

A
  • participants form an interpretation of the experiments purpose and unconsciously changes their behaviour to fit this.
  • they could also do this to sabotage the experiment.
  • standardisation
  • single blind
  • double blind
26
Q

Define investigator effects and state how you’d control them.

A
  • The experimenter conveys how the participants should behave.
  • e.g. smiling when the participants do what they want.
  • standardisation
  • double blind
  • standardised instructions
27
Q

Define order effects and state how you’d control them.

A
  • any effect which comes from participants doing both conditions.
  • e.g. could be more tired, fatigued, bored or more practiced in the second condition
  • counter balancing
28
Q

Define social desirability and state how you’d control them.

A
  • when a participant wants to come across a certain way so changes how they behave and answer.
  • e.g. in a questionnaire they may not put down their truthful beliefs
  • ensure anonymity
29
Q

Define the placebo effect and state how you’d control them.

A
  • people take a drug and feel how they expect to feel
  • not because the drug works but because they believe it will work
  • mind over matter -> the brain tricks them
  • single blind
  • double blind
30
Q

Describe Qualitative data and Quantitative

A

Qualitative
- detailed worded information

Quantitive
- numbers
- quantities

31
Q

State 3 things that make up qualitative data

A
  • observation notes
  • open answer questions
  • subjective
  • essay
  • hard to analyse
32
Q

State 3 things that make up quantitative data

A
  • objective
  • scores (likely scale)
  • closed questions
  • heart rate monitors
  • easy to analyse
33
Q

Describe primary data

A

. Collected by the researcher
. Experimental findings
. Takes longer to obtain
. specifically to test the hypothesis
. Researcher has control over data collection

34
Q

Describe secondary data

A

. Quick and easy to obtain
. Government stats
. Collected for a different purpose
. Researcher has no control over how the data was collected

35
Q

What are the strengths of naturalistic observation

A
  • good ecological validity
  • all aspects of the environment are free to vary
  • where behaviour would naturally occur
  • nothing is manipulated
36
Q

What are the strengths of controlled observation

A
  • carried out in labs
  • standardised procedure
  • researcher has control
  • easy to replicate
  • dry controlled which reduces impact of extraneous variables
37
Q

What are the strengths of covert observation

A
  • unaware of observation e.g. cameras or one way mirrors
  • more valid as reduces demand characteristics
  • realistic behaviours
38
Q

What are the strengths of overt observation

A
  • aware of observation
  • good ethics as consent given
39
Q

What are the strengths of participant observation

A
  • the researcher joins in and becomes part of the group
  • spend more time with participants so can get a greater knowledge on behaviours
  • produces rich qualitive behaviour
40
Q

What are the strengths of non participant observation

A
  • researcher remains detached
  • no experimenter effect
  • can be more objective
41
Q

What are the weaknesses of naturalistic observation

A
  • not controlled so lots of extraneous variables
  • ethical issues= not always consensual
  • not always able to get the information required
42
Q

What are the weaknesses of controlled observation

A
  • bad ecological validity
  • demand characteristics
43
Q

What are the weaknesses of covert observation

A
  • really unethical as the participants cannot consent
44
Q

What are the weaknesses of overt observation

A
  • social desirability
  • demand characteristics
45
Q

What are the weaknesses of participant observation

A
  • experimenter effects
  • normally qualitive data so hard to analyse
  • depending on the situation can be hard to standardise
  • social desirability
  • can become to involved and loose objectivity
46
Q

What are the weaknesses non participant of observation

A
  • time consuming and costly
  • observe from distance so may miss behaviours
47
Q

What are the strengths and weaknesses of structured observation

A

Strengths
. Form of operationalising
. Clear defined way of observing
. Specific stages
. Standardised
. Includes a pilot study

weakness
. Bad ecological validity

48
Q

Describe observer bias

A

The tendency to only see what you want I see or expect to see based on prior knowledge and subjective feelings

49
Q

State and describe 3 ways we can improve reliability

A
  • calibrate observers -> using a pilot study and clearly defined behavioural categories
  • observers do observations separately
  • results are compared -> make sure values are consistent
  • run a stats test -> will check similarity on a statistical basis
50
Q

What is event sampling

A

. Recording the observation only when target behaviours occur
. Easy to standardise
. Easy to analyse
. May miss behaviours

51
Q

What is time sampling

A

. Recording all behaviours during a certain specified time period
. Ignore behaviours outside of time frame
. More valid
. Longer observation
. May miss desired behaviours

52
Q

What are the types of questions used in questionnaires

A

Closed - limited responses - rating scale, fixed choice, likely scale
Open - not limited

53
Q

Evaluate the strengths of questionnaires

A

. Quick and easy to get large sample because questions are easy to mass produce and are simple
. No investigator effects as can be done alone
. Right to withdraw as people can not submit form

54
Q

Evaluate the weaknesses of questionnaires

A
  • social desirability as people may change their answers to look good
  • response bias: participants respond inaccurately
  • questions can be hard to interpret
  • can be low return rate
  • sample may not be representative as you can’t guarantee responses

Psychology (5 decks)

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