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Psychology > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

define correlational study

A

seeks to examine whether a relationship exists between 2 or more variables without the researcher manipulating any of them

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2
Q

define population

A

an entire group of people belonging to a particular category

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3
Q

define sample

A

a group of participants selected from and representative of the population of research interest

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4
Q

define single-blind procedure

A

participants don’t know whether they have been assigned to the control or experimental group

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5
Q

define double-blind procedure

A

both participants and experimenter don’t know who have been assigned to the control and experimental group

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6
Q

define placebo

A

a fake or false treatment, used so no participants know if they are being exposed to the experimental condition

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7
Q

define placebo effect

A

a change in a participant’s behaviour due to expectations about treatment

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8
Q

define mixed methods research

A

both quantitative and qualitative research.

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9
Q

define quantitative data

A

data that is expressed numerically and can be statistically analysed. It doesn’t provide valuable insight as to why an answer has been given.

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10
Q

define subjective quantitative data

A

values, opinions, attitudes, e.g. likert scale, close ended questions

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11
Q

define objective quantitative data

A

how something physiological is measured, e.g. blood pressure

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12
Q

define qualitative data

A

often expressed as words and is descriptive. It can’t be statistically analysed. It provides valuable feedback about why a participant has given an answer.

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13
Q

define subjective qualitative data

A

person’s values, attitudes, and opinions, e.g. interview, survey

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14
Q

define voluntary participation

A

participant willingly decides to take part in experiment with no pressure, coercion or threats

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15
Q

define informed consent

A

must obtain written consent from each participant. Consent form must have all info, participant’s rights, possible harm

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16
Q

define withdrawal rights

A

right to withdraw at any time without consequences or pressure

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17
Q

define confidentiality

A

participant’s involvement and results from study can’t be disclosed without consent

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18
Q

define deception

A

shouldn’t occur unless necessary and must be debriefed after

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19
Q

define debriefing

A

informing participant of study’s true purpose once it has ended

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20
Q

list 3 advantages of correlational studies

A
  1. can be used to test hypotheses in cases where it isn’t desirable, possible or ethical to experimentally manipulate the IV
  2. they can be conducted outside an artificial lab situation where results may be more realistic
  3. they are useful for discovering relationships between variables, even if not causal
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21
Q

list 2 disadvantages of correlational studies

A
  1. they don’t permit the researcher to draw firm conclusions about the cause & effect relationships
  2. it can be difficult or impossible to control unwanted variables
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22
Q

define independent variable

A

condition that the experimenter systematically manipulates, changes, or varies in order to gauge its effect on another variable

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23
Q

define dependent variable

A

variable that is measured in an experiment

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24
Q

define controlled variable

A

any variable that is constant in research conditions

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25
Q

define a hypothesis

A

a statement or testable prediction about the likely outcome of an experiment

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26
Q

define random allocation

A

technique that ensures that every member of the sample has an equal chance of being assigned to either of the groups used in the experiment

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27
Q

define experimental group

A

group exposed to experimental conditions, where the variable is being manipulated

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28
Q

define control group

A

group that’s exposed to control condition, where variable under investigation is absent

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29
Q

what is an advantage of using a control group?

A

it provides a basis of comparison, so the performance of the experimental group can be compared with a base level

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30
Q

define extraneous variable

A

any variable other than IV that can cause a change in results & therefore has an unwanted effect on the experiment

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31
Q

what are the types of extraneous variables?

A
  • participant differences
  • demand characteristics
  • experimenter effects
  • artificiality
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32
Q

define confounding variable

A

when an extraneous variable causes a change in the dependent variable, effecting results

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33
Q

list the types of sampling

A
  1. snowballing
  2. convenience sampling
  3. random sampling
  4. stratified sampling
34
Q

define convenience sampling

A

selecting participants based on the researcher’s accessibility to them, or the participant’s availability

35
Q

list a pro and a con of convenience sampling

A

pro: doesn’t need planning, therefore is quick and cost-effective
con: not necessarily representative of the pop.

36
Q

define random sampling

A

carefully planned & systematic method of selecting participants for a study. Ensures every member of population has equal chance of being selected.

37
Q

list a pro and a con of random sampling

A

pro: not biased
con: may not be representative of pop.

38
Q

define stratified sampling

A

breaking the population into ‘strata’ based on characteristics they share. Once population is divided, then select participants randomly from each strata in same proportions that they appear in the population

39
Q

list a pro and a con of stratified sampling

A

pro: should be representative of pop.
con: time-consuming

40
Q

list the ways of visually representing data

A
  1. frequency distribution table
  2. bar graph/column graph
  3. histogram
  4. line graph
41
Q

define snowballing

A

existing participants recommend additional participants who then nominate others and so on until there are enough participants

42
Q

list a pro and a con of snowballing

A

pro: easy to get a hold of participants
con: biased and time-consuming

43
Q

define beneficence

A

weighing the potential benefits of the study against the potential risks or harm to the participant

44
Q

define justice

A

ensures fair treatment for all

45
Q

define respect

A

consideration of individual’s welfare and appreciation of their uniqueness, autonomy, and freedom of expression

46
Q

define test validity

A

must actually measure what it is designed to measure

47
Q

define reliability

A

ability of test to consistently measure what it is supposed to measure each time it is given

48
Q

define observational study

A

collection of data by carefully watching and recording behaviour as it occurs without any intervention or manipulation of behaviour being observed. Most observational studies conducted are structured and use systematic data collection techniques in controlled settings

49
Q

define longitudinal study

A

long term investigation that follows the same group of people over an extended period of time

50
Q

define cross-sectional study

A

selects and compares groups of participants of different ages over a short period of time

51
Q

define a case study

A

in depth investigation of a behaviour, activity, event, or problem of interest in an individual, group, organisation or situation

52
Q

define test validity

A

for a test to be valid, it must actually measure what it is designed to measure.

53
Q

define content validity

A

the content of a test, including all its subtests & items, adequately measures what it is designed to measure.

54
Q

define criterion-related validity

A

a test can adequately predict performance on other tasks. E.g. NAPLAN or mock exams

55
Q

define construct validity

A

the test provides a good reflection of the theory on which it is based and that there is empirical evidence supporting the theory.

56
Q

define internal validity

A

refers to design of research + procedures used to conduct the study

57
Q

define external validity

A

conclusions can be generalised to population from which sample used in study was drawn. (small sample = lacks external validity)

58
Q

define reliability

A

refers to ability of test to consistently measure what it is designed to measure each time it is given.

59
Q

define test-retest reliability

A

giving the same test to same group of people on 2 diff. occasions + then comparing the 2 sets of scores. If the test is reliable, then each person should achieve similar scores on the subtest & test overall

60
Q

what is a disadvantage of test-retest reliability?

A

test takers benefit from ‘test practice effects.’ May perform better when re-tested because of prior experience

61
Q

what are 2 ways to improve test-retest reliability?

A
  1. parallel-forms reliability
  2. split-half reliability
62
Q

define parallel-forms reliability

A

giving another version of same test instead of using exactly the same test twice. If scores on 2 tests are similar, suggests that they measure the same thing.

63
Q

define split-half reliability

A

dividing original test into halves + examining correlation between scores on each half. Example = scores on odd-numbered items might be compared with scores on even numbered items. If halves of test are composed of items with similar levels of difficulty, each individual should have similar scores on the halves, then its reliable.

64
Q

list 3 advantages of an observational study

A
  • doesn’t need cooperation of participants
  • some types of human behaviour can only be studied as they naturally occur e.g. unethical
  • no need for manipulation
65
Q

list 3 disadvantages of an observational study

A
  • lacks a representative sample
  • observer bias
  • can’t be used to determine the causes of the behaviour of interest that is observed
66
Q

list 3 advantages of a case study

A
  • indepth analysis & richness of data
  • usually no manipulation or control of variables & can often avoid artificiality
  • useful for tracking & describing experiences & change over time
67
Q

list 3 disadvantages of a case study

A
  • time-consuming
  • small sample size = can’t generalise with certainty
  • can’t test or establish a cause-effect relationship
68
Q

what is the purpose of standardised procedures & instructions?

A

To minimise the effects of extraneous & confounding variables, by ensuring all participants have same experience in experiment

69
Q

how would you minimise effects of extraneous & variables other than having standardised procedure?

A
  • random allocation
  • single-blind procedures
70
Q

list 2 advantages of a longitudinal study

A
  • can examine consistencies & inconsistencies in behaviour over time
  • can study the ways early development may affect later development
71
Q

list 2 disadvantages of a longitudinal study

A
  • expensive & takes a long time
  • participants may withdraw e.g. lose interest, die
72
Q

list 3 advantages of a cross-sectional study

A
  • relatively inexpensive
  • easy to undertake
  • not too time-consuming
73
Q

list 2 disadvantages of a cross-sectional study

A
  • generational influence (when behaviours measured in people who were born at diff. times)
  • differences between age groups may be due to other factors other than age
74
Q

list the features of experimental research

A
  • IV & DV
  • directional hypothesis
  • controlled & uncontrolled variables
  • experimental & control groups
  • placebo & experimenter effects
  • reliability & validity
  • longitudinal & cross-sectional designs
75
Q

list the types of non-experimental designs (they are flexible)

A
  • case studies
  • surveys
  • correlational studies
  • archival research
  • observational studies
  • longitudinal & cross-sectional studies
76
Q

what are the types of extraneous variables?

A
  • participant variables
  • environmental variables
  • placebo effect
  • experimenter effect
  • demand characteristics
77
Q

define experimenter effects

A

personal characteristics of the experimenter & their behaviour during the experiment may affect how participants respond

78
Q

define demand characteristics

A

cues in an experiment that may influence or bias a participant’s response, thereby distorting the results

79
Q

list the 3 R’s

A
  1. Replacement
  2. Reduction
  3. Refinement
80
Q

define replacement

A

avoiding or replacing the use of animals in areas they would have been used

81
Q

define reduction

A

minimising the number of animals used

82
Q

define refinement

A

minimising the pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm animals may experience

Psychology (9 decks)

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