Research Methods Flashcards
Research Methods - Lesson 1
What is Research Methods?
Research methods are the strategies, processes or techniques used in the collection of data or evidence for analysis to uncover new information.
Research Methods - Lesson 1
What do Research Methods aim to be?
Aim to be scientific because they seek to be objective and controlled and repeatable.
Research Methods - Lesson 1
Types of Experiments:
Lab, Field, Natural & Quasi.
Research Methods - Lesson 1
Types of Observations:
Naturalistic & Controlled.
Covert & Overt.
Participants & Non-participant.
Research Methods - Lesson 1
Self-Report Techniques:
Questionnaires & Interviews.
Research Methods - Lesson 1
Correlations:
Positive, Negative & Zero.
Research Methods - Lesson 1
What is an Aim?
When do you state it?
An aim is a statement of what the researcher(s) intend to find out in a research study.
Research should state the aim beforehand so it’s clear what the study in
Research Methods - Lesson 2
What is an experiments in psychology?
An experiment involves the manipulation of an independent variable to measure the effect on the dependent variable.
Research Methods - Lesson 2
What is a Variable?
Variables are used in experiments to determine if changes in one ‘thing’ result in changes to another - can vary or change within an investigation.
Research Methods - Lesson 2
What is the Independant Variable?
The variable that is manipulated by the researcher so that they can measure the effect on the dependent variable.
Research Methods - Lesson 2
What is the Dependant Variable?
The variable that is measured by the researcher. Any effect on this variable should be caused by changes in the independent variable.
Research Methods - Lesson 2
What are the levels of the Independant Variable?
The Control condition and the Experimental Condition?
Research Methods - Lesson 2
Why do you need different conditions for the Independant Variable?
To test the effect of the IV the researcher needs different conditions so that they can make a comparison between the participants and their performance.
Research Methods - Lesson 2
What is the Control condition?
Results are compared to the Experimental condition.
The condition in an experiment that provides a baseline measure of behaviour without the manipulation of the independent variable.
Results are compared to the Experimental condition.
e.g. No Energy drink & learning with no naps
Research Methods - Lesson 2
What is the Experimental condition?
Results are compared to the Control condition.
The condition in an experiment that involves the manipulation of the independent variable.
Results are compared to the Control condition.
e.g. Energy drink & learning with naps
Research Methods - Lesson 2
What is a Hypothesis?
Predicts a statistically significant effect of an IV on a DV (i.e. an experiment), or a significant relationship between variables (i.e. a correlation study).
Research Methods - Lesson 2
What is a Directional Difference Hypothesis?
(One-tailed Difference hypopthesis)
This is a difference hypothesis as it is stating a difference between two conditions; predicting the direction of the results.
Research Methods - Lesson 2
What is a Directional Relationship Hypothesis?
(One-tailed Relationship Hypothesis)
This is a correlation hypothesis as it is stating a relationship between two “things”; predicting the direction of the results.
Research Methods - Lesson 2
What is a Non-Directional Hypothesis?
(Two-tailed Hypothesis)
A non-directional (two tailed) research hypothesis does not predict a direction of the results. However, non-directional hypotheses do predict “a significant difference” between things.
Research Methods - Lesson 2
Why do researchers use a Non-Directional Hypothesis?
(Two-tailed Hypothesis)
This is because there is no previous research to allow a prediction.
Research Methods - Lesson 2
What is a Non-Directional Relationship Hypothesis?
(Two-tailed Relationship Hypothesis)
This is a relationship hypothesis as it is stating a relationship between two “things”. It is also a non-directional hypothesis as it is not predicting the direction of results.
Research Methods - Lesson 2
What is a Null Hypothesis?
Every psychology study has a null hypothesis. This predicts that a statistically significant effect or relationship will not be found.
Research Methods - Lesson 2
What is a a Null Difference Hypothesis?
This is a null hypothesis as it is not stating that there will be a difference between two conditions: “There will be no significant difference in motivation questionnaire scores between athletes who train with and without a training partner.”.
Research Methods - Lesson 2
What is a Null Relationship Hypothesis?
This is a null hypothesis as it is not stating that there will be a relationship between two “things”: “There will be no significant relationship between motivation questionnaire scores and the number of partners athletes train with.”.
Research Methods - Lesson 2
What is the difference between aims and hypotheses?
(Three differences)
- An aim is like the goal of research. Whereas the hypothesis is the testable statement.
- Aims aren’t precise enough to test.
- Hypotheses can make predictions about the research findings. It is what will be tested in the research.
What is the difference between an experimental and a correlational hypotheses?
