RESEARCH METHODS

Question 1

what is an aim

Answer 1

indentidyying what you intend to research

Question 2

what is a hypothesis

Answer 2

a prediction of what the research will show

Question 3

what is an alternative hypothesis

Answer 3

predicts something other than chance has caused the results

Question 4

what is a directional hypothesis

Answer 4

predicts a direction in which the results are expected to occur

Question 5

what is a null hypothesis

Answer 5

predicts that the results of an experiment can be explained by chance alone

Question 6

when should a non directional hypothesis be used

Answer 6

when there is no previous research or findings from earlier studies are contradictory

Question 7

what is an independent variable

Answer 7

the variable the researcher manipulates which is assumed to have a direct effect on the dependent variable

Question 8

what is a dependant variable

Answer 8

the variable that the research measures

Question 9

what does it mean if something is operationalised

Answer 9

a measurable, clearly defined hypothesis

Question 10

what is an extraneous variable

Answer 10

any variable, other than the IV, that may have an effect on the DV, if it is not controlled and doesn’t vary systematically with the IV

Question 11

what is a confounding variable

Answer 11

Any variable, other than the IV, that may have an effect on the DV, if it is not controlled and varies systematically with the IV

Question 12

define demand characteristics

Answer 12

participants will work out what is going on as they will interpret certain cues throughout the experiment and will change their behaviour in accordance

Question 13

define investigator effects

Answer 13

any unwanted influence of the investigator on the research outcome

Question 14

define randomisation

Answer 14

use of chance methods to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of experimental conditions

Question 15

name the three experimental designs

Answer 15

independant groups
repeated measures
matched pairs

Question 16

define independent groups

Answer 16

two or more separate groups of participants experience different conditions

Question 17

define repeated measures

Answer 17

all participants experience both/all conditions - one after the other

Question 18

give a strength of independent groups

Answer 18

no order effects, because each person provides data in one or other of the conditions, it doesn’t matter when they carry out the tasks

Question 19

define matched pairs

Answer 19

two or more separate groups of participants experience different conditions, participants are matched into pairs before allocation to the different conditions

Question 20

give a strength of repeated measures

Answer 20

the groups are made up of the same people, so individual differences are controlled. both groups are identical. less participants needed.

Question 21

give a strength of matched pairs

Answer 21

because the participants are matched, there is less confounding caused by individual differences. there are also no order effects.

Question 22

give a weakness of independent groups

Answer 22

participants are different so researchers cannot be sure that it’s not their individual differences that influence the results instead.

Question 23

give a weakness of repeated measures

Answer 23

this design can cause order effects i.e. a practice effect or could cause a fatigue effect – both could influence results. more demand characteristics.

Question 24

give a weakness of matched pairs

Answer 24

matching participants is very difficult and time-consuming and it may only reduce the effect of individual differences rather than eliminate them.

Question 25

how can you avoid problems with independent groups

Answer 25

random allocation

Question 26

how can you avoid problems with repeated measures

Answer 26

counter balancing