Research Methods Flashcards
What is a theory?
A theory is a suggested explanation for behaviour.
Psychologists test theories using objective research methods.
What is an aim?
A general statement that explains the purpose of a study.
What is a variable?
Anything that can change or vary within an investigation.
What is an independent variable?
The variable that the experimenter is deliberately changing.
There are usually two levels of the IV to enable comparisons.
What is a dependant variable?
What is measured by the researcher.
The only thing that should affect the DV is the change in the IV.
What is an alternative hypothesis?
A statement of the relationship or difference between variables.
What is a null hypothesis?
A statement of no relationship or difference between variables.
What is cause and effect?
The only thing that should cause a change in the DV is the IV.
If the DV does change, then the experimenter has established cause and effect.
What are extraneous variables?
Unwanted variables that could affect the DV if they are not controlled.
For example noise, temperature, lighting.
Controlled best in a laboratory.
What are standardised instructions?
Standardised instructions involve giving the participants exactly the same information about the study to ensure what is said to them does not act as an EV.
What are standardised procedures?
Researcher uses exactly the same methods and instructions for all participants in a research study.
What is randomisation?
Using chance (e.g. such as tossing a coin) to control for the effects of bias when designing a research study.
What are quantitative and qualitative data?
Quantitative methods use data that can be counted.
Qualitative methods use data that can be expressed in words and are non-numerical, such as a description.
What are laboratory experiments?
An experiment conducted in a controlled environment
What are the strengths of laboratory experiments?
A strength is that EVs can be controlled. Therefore the researcher can be sure the IV caused the DV. This means that cause and effect can be established.
Another strength is the use of standardised procedures. This means replication is possible. Therefore it is possible to confirm the validity of results.
What are the weakness of laboratory experiments?
A weakness is that the environment is not like everyday life. This means that participants’ behaviour is less ‘normal’. Therefore you can’t generalise results to the wider world.
Another weakness is that participants may know they are being tested. Therefore they may change their behaviour to help the experimenter. This means that data collected is not valid.
What are field experiments?
An experiment conducted in a natural setting.
Experimenter manipulates the IV.
What are the strengths of field experiments?
A strength is that they are often more realistic than laboratory experiments. This is because they are conducted in a natural environment. This enhances the validity of the results.
Another strength is that there is some control over EVs. This is because it is possible to use standardised procedures. This means cause-and-effect conclusions are more valid.
What are the weaknesses of field experiments?
A weakness is that the researcher may lose control of some EVs. In the real-life setting it is more difficult to control variables. This makes it more difficult to show cause and effect.
Another weakness is there may be ethical issues. People may not know they are involved in an experiment. This means they cannot give their informed consent.
What are natural experiments?
An experiment conducted in a natural or laboratory setting.
Experimenter does not manipulate the IV. It would have changed anyway.
What are the strengths of natural experiments?
A strength is that natural experiments usually have high validity. This is because the variables are naturally occurring and relate to everyday life. This is not always the case, e.g. making comparisons between men and women (a naturally-occurring variable) may be quite artificial.
Another strength is that the DV is often tested in a lab. Therefore EVs can be well-controlled because standardised procedures can be followed.
What are the weaknesses of natural experiments?
A weakness is that there may be few opportunities for this kind of research. This is because it may focus on natural events that occur infrequently. This reduces the usefulness of the method.
Another weakness is that there may be a greater amount of EVs that could affect the results. For example, unique characteristics of the participants cannot be controlled because they cannot be randomly assigned to groups.
What are independent groups?
Separate groups of people for each level of the IV.
There is usually a control group and an experimental group.
What is a strength of independent groups?
A strength is that order effects are not a problem. The participants only do the task once. This means they won’t benefit from practice.
What is a weakness of independent groups?
A weakness is there are different participants in each group. This means that participant variables may affect the results and act as an EV. This reduces the validity of the results.
What are repeated measures?
All participants take part in all the conditions.
What are the strengths of repeated methods?
A strength is that there are no participant variables. Each participant is compared against themselves rather than other people. This enhances the validity of the results.
Another strength is that fewer participants are needed. In an independent groups design you need twice as many participants to get the same number of data items. This makes repeated measures less expensive.
What is a weakness of repeated measures?
A weakness is that order effects occur when participants are tested twice. The order in which they do the tasks may make a difference, e.g. a practice effect. This affects the validity of the results.
What is counter balancing?
Half the participants complete the conditions in one order, and the other half in the opposite order.
What are matched pairs?
Participants are tested in terms of variables relevant to the study.
Participants are then matched and one member of each pair goes in each group.
What are the strengths of matched pairs?
A strength is that there are no order effects as participants are tested only once.
Another strength is there are fewer participant variables. This is because those taking part are matched on a variable that is important for the experiment. This enhances the validity of the results.
What is a weakness of matched pairs?
A weakness is that matching participants takes time and effort. It doesn’t control all participant variables. This means it may not be worthwhile.
What is random sampling?
Putting names of all members of the target population into a hat/computer programme so that every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected.
What are the evaluations of random sampling?
A strength is that there is no bias. Every person in the target population has an equal chance of being selected. This makes the sample more representative.
A weakness is that it takes more time and effort than other methods. This is because you need to obtain a list of all the members of your target population and then randomly select them. The effort may not be worth it.
What is opportunity sampling?
Selecting the most readily available group of people.
What are the evaluations of opportunity sampling?
A strength is that it is easy, quick and cheap to carry out because you simply choose people who are nearby. This makes the method less expensive.
A weakness is that the sample is likely to be unrepresentative of the population. This is because the sample is drawn from one place. This reduces the generalisability of the results.
What is systematic sampling?
Selecting participants in proportion to their frequency in the target population.
What are the evaluation points of stratified sampling?
A strength is that it is the most representative of all the sampling methods. The researcher ensures that all subgroups are represented in proportion to the numbers in the target population. This enhances representativeness.
A weakness is that it is very time-consuming. It may take a while to recruit participants and sort them into subgroups. This discourages researchers from using this method.
