Research Methods

Question 1

EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
What is an aim? What must it start with?

Answer 1

aim - the general statement that describes the purpose of the investigation
must start with ‘to investigate…’

Question 2

EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
Define IV and DV

Answer 2

Independant variable = manipulated/changed
dependant variable = measured

Question 3

EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
Contrast the different conditions of the IV

Answer 3

control condition: experience no manipulation
experimental condition: experience manipulation

Question 4

EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
Define operationalisation

Answer 4

clearly defining the variables to more easily measure them

Question 5

EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
What is a hypothesis?
How many hypotheses do we need to write for an investigation? Outline these and any strands of them.
What are the golden rules for writing hypotheses?

Answer 5

hypothesis: a prediction we have before tje experiment on the outcome of the study

we always write 2 hypotheses:
null: predicts no difference
alternative
alternative: predicts a difference/relationship
–> directional (one-tailed): we likely know the outcome (generally follows previous research)
–> non-directional (two-tailed): we don’t know what the outcome is likely to be

golden rules:
- “There will be…”
- include the operationalised IV and DV

Question 6

RESEARCH ISSUES
Contrast extraneous variables with confounding variables using the example of the effects of video games on aggression. What are the different types of extraneous variables?

Answer 6

extraneous variables (EV): unwanted variables that could affect the DV
–> participant variables: individual differences
–> situational variables: any feature of the experiment

confounding variables (CV): type of EV which varies systematically with the IV

IV = video games, DV = aggression
EVs: sleep, hunger, upbringing/home life, stress, drug/alcohol use, circumstances, pre-existing anger issues
CVs: type of video game (violent or not), previous exposure/experience

Question 7

RESEARCH ISSUES
Outline 2 ways we can reduce the effects of EVs and CVs, with examples

Answer 7

randomisation: use of change methods to reduce researcher’s unconscious biases when designing an experiment/investigation
e.g.) randomly allocating ptps to control or experimental groups/randomising the order that ptps complete conditions

standardisation: where all the ptps are subject to the same environment, info and experience
e.g.) giving same instructions to all ptps

Question 8

RESEARCH ISSUES
Contrast demand characteristics with investigator effects, using examples

Answer 8

demand characteristics: cues revealing the aim of the study to the ptp, causing them to alter their behaviour
e.g.) questions asked, setting/location of experiment, researcher smiling at ptp in encouragement, ptp already heard about the study etc

investigator effects: unwanted influence of the investigator, giving away the aim of the study accidentally - subconscious or conscious influence
e.g.) conditions/groups obviously separated, odd/obvious instructions, different conditions for different groups

Question 9

ETHICAL GUIDELINES