Research Methods

Question 1

What are the Independent, Dependent, and Control Variables?

Answer 1

Independent Variable - The variable being manipulated in an experiment to affect the Dependent Variable
Dependent Variable - The variable being measured in the experiment, affected by the manipulation of the IV
Controlled Variable - Any variable that is kept constant between research conditions

Question 2

What are the 7 steps in research?

Answer 2

Identify the Research Problem - What are you investigating?
Formulate a hypothesis - What are you trying to prove?
Design the method - how will you prove your hypothesis
Collect the data - Go through with your method and collect data
Analyse data - Organize data into useful statistics
Interpret results - Form a conclusion on your data
Report the findings -

Question 3

What are the 4 things that are included in a Hypothesis

Answer 3

1. A testable prediction about the direction of interaction between variables (higher, lower, increased etc)
2. The population that from which your study sample is drawn
3. Both conditions of the independent variable
4. The dependent Variable (that which is being measured)

Question 4

What are the two groups commonly included in an experiment?

Answer 4

A control group, and an experimental group. The experimental group has the Independent variable changed, while the control group does not, and the difference in dependent variable is measured.

Question 5

What are 3 types of sampling?

Answer 5

Convenience sampling - Fast and convenient, minimize cost and planning
Highly biased, and likely not representative of your chosen population
Random Sampling - Quick and inexpensive, unbiased
A chance that it may not be representative of the population
Stratified Sampling - representative of population and ratios.
Time consuming and complicated, and information and characteristics are needed.

Question 6

What is an Extraneous variable?

Answer 6

A variable other than the Iv that can affect the DV. Interferes with the causal link between IV and DV. (such as a car crash during a dental experiment)

Question 7

What is a Confounding variable?

Answer 7

A variable that is not the IV that affects the DV in a way that it may be confused for the effects of the IV.

Question 8

What is a Between Subjects Design?

Answer 8

An experimental Design where two different groups of participants are compared

Question 9

What is a Within Subjects Design?

Answer 9

An experimental design where the same participants are used in both the control and experimental conditions?

Question 10

What are the two types of Between Subjects Design

Answer 10

Independent Groups Design - Involves randomly Allocating members of the sample to either the control or experimental groups.
Eliminates bias, but Participant difference may be a confounding variable
Matched-participants design - Involves pairing participants based on certain shared characteristics, then allocating one to the experimental, and one to the control group.
Eradicates possible Participant differences, but involves pre-tests to match participants (time consuming) and falls appart when participants are removed.

Question 11

What is the Repeated-Measures Experimental Design?

Answer 11

Only one group of participants are exposed to both the control and experimental conditions. Eliminates participant difference, but may introduce an Order effect

Question 12

What is an Order effect?

Answer 12

An order effect occurs when there is a change in results due to the order in which participants complete the control and experimental conditions. Occurs during a Within Subjects (repeated measures) design. May happen due to increased experience or changes in physical and mental state

Question 13

What is Counterbalancing in a Within Subjects Design?

Answer 13

Counterbalancing involves dividing the group of participants in half and arranging the order of conditions so that each condition occurs in a different sequence. Allows the order affect to be accounted for.

Question 14

What is a Placebo?

Answer 14

A placebo is a fake or false treatment used so that no participants know whether they are being exposed to the control or experimental condition.

Question 15

What is the Placebo Affect?

Answer 15

The Placebo Affect occurs when there is a change in a participants behavior due to their expectations about the treatment. Belief affects perception (perceptual set)

Question 16

What is a Single-Blind Procedure?

Answer 16

A Single-Blind procedure is a way to reduce placebo by assigning participants to control or experimental groups without telling them which one they are in.

Question 17

What is an Experimenter Affect?

Answer 17

An experimenter effect occurs when there is an unintentional change in participants behavior (and results) due to the experimenters influence. An experimenter may be more noticeable of changes when they are aware of which is the experimental or control group.
Reduced with a Double-Blind Procedure

Question 18

What is a Double-Blind Procedure?

Answer 18

A Double-Blind Procedure reduces the impact of the experimenter effect on the results. In the procedure, neither the participants nor the experimenter know which participants have been allocated to the control and experimental group(s). Must involve someone else who does know which group is receiving the experimental treatment; however this person cannot influence participants.

Question 19

What are two types of studies?

Answer 19

Observational Study - Involves an individual observing another individual or a group of people in a natural environment, and recording observations about the behavior that they witness. Can eliminate the extraneous variable of artificiality but is subject to Observer Bias
Correlational Studies - Seeks to examine whether a relationship exists between two or more variables without the researcher manipulating any of them. A controlled experiment seeks to establish a cause-and-effect relationship; A correlational study, on the other hand, seeks to show how two or more variables are related. It does NOT show a casual relationship.

Question 20

What are the three types of Error?

Answer 20

Random error - are due to some chance (arbitrary) factor that occurred during measurement. They affect the PRECISION of measurement
-Reduces Reliability

Systematic Errors are produced by a factor CONSISTENTLY favors one condition over another. There are usually flaws in a research design, and create a BIAS either in the sample or in group/condition, reducing ACCURACY
-Reduces validity

Personal Errors occur when the researcher makes a mistake in organizing the results, or fails to correctly observe participant data accurately.

Question 21

What are the five Factors of Ethics?

Answer 21

Beneficence
Research is considered through the scope of maximising the benefits to society while minimising harm to others.

Non-maleficence
In scientific research, the principle of non maleficence implies that, if potential harm/discomfort is involved, the harm/discomfort does not outweigh the potential benefits(s) that could eventuate.
Where potential harm may be involved, either physically or psychologically It is important

Justice
Justice ensures fair treatment for all, from selection through to result collection

Integrity.
Integrity involves the researcher’s commitment to the honest conducting and reporting of research. Integrity also relies upon scrutiny of the research and of its procedures so that the knowledge and understanding gained through research can be trusted in its broader application.

Voluntary participation ensures that a participant willingly decides to take part in an experiment.
Participants must not experience any pressure or coercion to participate, nor be threatened with any negative consequences.

Question 22

What is Beneficence and Non-Maleficence?

Answer 22

Beneficence is the Maximising of benefti to society and minimization of harm to others.
Non maeficience is the outweighing of harm/discomfort by potential benefits

Question 23

What is Justice in Ethics?

Answer 23

Justice is the fairness of treatment for all subjects, from selection in sampling through to result collection

Question 24

What is Integrity in Ethics?

Answer 24

Integrity.
Integrity involves the researcher’s commitment to the honest conducting and reporting of research. Integrity also relies upon scrutiny of the research and of its procedures so that the knowledge and understanding gained through research can be trusted in its broader application.

Question 25

What is Voluntary Participation in Ethics?

Answer 25

Voluntary participation ensures that a participant willingly decides to take part in an experiment.
Participants must not experience any pressure or coercion to participate, nor be threatened with any negative consequences.

Question 26

What is Qualitative Data?

Answer 26

Qualitative data describes changes in quality of behavior, and are often expressed in WORDS. Difficult to categorize or statistically analyze because responses take a wide variety of forms and are open to personal, observer and researcher biases.

Question 27

What is Quantitative Data

Answer 27

Quantitative data is data collected through systematic and controlled procedures and are usually presented in numerical or categorical form.
Quantitative data are similar to Objective Data that they can be statistically analyzed and measured and compared. HOWEVER, quantitative data restricts further detail and does not provide insight into reasoning behind data.

Question 28

What is Mixed Methods Research?

Answer 28

Mixed Methods Research is a popular methodology that incorporates both quantitative and qualitative research. The findings of this type of research are strengthened because they use data obtained from quantitative measures as well as explanations or commentary obtained using qualitative measures