Research methods Flashcards

1
Q

Define experiments

A

An investigation that looks for a causal relationship where the IV is manipulated and responsible for the changes in the DV

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2
Q

Define IV

A

IV is manipulated under 2 or more conditions and is expected to be responsible for changes in the DV

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3
Q

Define DV

A

DV is what is measured and is expected to change under the influence of the IV

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4
Q

Define experimental design

A

Participants are allocated to different levels of IV

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5
Q

Define independent measures design

A

Where different groups of participants are used for each level of the IV

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6
Q

2 Strengths & weaknesses of independent measures design

A

S - Different pps are used in each level of the IV, so no order effects
S - Reduces demand characteristics as pps get experiment once

W - Individual differences distort results in different levels of IV
W - Less effective when sample size is small as pps are hard to find

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7
Q

Define repeated measures design

A

Same group of participants are used for every level of the IV

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8
Q

Strengths & weaknesses of repeated measures design

A

S - Participant variables unlikely to distort results as all pps go thru each lvl of IV
S - Counterbalancing reduces order effects

W - Order effects can occur bc pps get bored/tired going through same exp task
W - Higher demand characteristics as pps are exposed to same exp task more than once

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9
Q

Define matched pairs design

A

An experimental design where participants are matched in pairs, and they are similar to each other. One member performs at a different level of IV

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10
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of matched pairs design

A

S - Reduced demand characteristics as pps see only one lvl of IV
S - No order effects as different pps are used for each lvl of IV

W - Similarity of pairs is limited making it hard to finding matching pps
W - Less gen as sample size may be small when matching pairs are limited

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11
Q

Define laboratory experiment

A
  • IV, DV, strict controls
  • Looks for a causal relationship
  • Conducted in an unnaturalistic setting with participants in regard to their behavior performed
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12
Q

2 strengths and 2 weaknesses of lab exp

A

S - High validity (more control of variables)
S - High reliability/replicability (standardized procedure)
W - Low eco validity
W - pps can respond to demand characteristics and change behavior

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13
Q

Define field experiment

A
  • Looks for a causal relationship
  • IV is manipulated and expected to be responsible for changes in DV
  • Conducted in natural environment
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14
Q

2 strengths and weaknesses of field exp

A

S - High eco validity
S - Reduced demand characteristics if pps are unaware about the study
W - Extraneous variables which can affect results of the study
W - Raise ethical concerns if pps don’t know they are a part of a study

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15
Q

Define hypothesis

A

A testable statement based on the aims of the investigation

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16
Q

Define alternative hypothesis

A

A testable statement predicting a difference in the DV based on the levels of the IV in an experiment

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17
Q

Define two-tailed (non-directional) hypothesis

A
  • Only predicts the effect
  • Doesn’t predict the direction of the effect
    E.g:
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18
Q

Define one-tailed (directional) hypothesis

A

Predicts the direction of the effect
E.g:

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19
Q

Define null hypothesis

A

A testable statement saying that any difference is due to chance and not because of variables being studied

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20
Q

Define self-report

A

A research method that gathers data by asking participants to provide information about themselves
E.g. interviews or questionnaires

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21
Q

Define questionnaire

A

A research method that uses written questions through pen and paper or online techniques to gather participants’ information

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22
Q

Define closed-ended questions

A

Participants only have a few stated options to choose from and they don’t have any opportunity to expand their responses

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23
Q

Define open-ended questions

A

Participants give their detailed answers in their own words without any other choices given

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24
Q

Define inter-rater reliability

A

This is when two researchers who produce qualitative data from interviews or questionnaires will produce the same records from the same raw data

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25
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of questionnaires

A

+ closed-ended questions provide quali data (easy to compare/analyze)
+ easy to work with averages/identify patterns
+ open-ended questions provide more detailed & in-depth responses

  • open-ended questions may lack inter-rater reliability (two researchers may interpret things differently)
  • lack of reliability (researchers may be inconsistent with their interpretations)
  • social desirability (pps can change responses or lie in questionnaires)
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26
Q

Define interviews

A

A research method that uses verbal questions asked directly like face-to-face or verbal communication

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27
Q

Define structured interviews

A

An interview format where the questions are kept the same for every participant and the order is fixed
–> (consistency like researcher’s posture or tone of voice may be used to ensure that the procedure is further standardized)

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28
Q

Define unstructured interviews

A

An interview format where the questions that are asked depends on what the participant says, so questions for every participant may be different

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29
Q

Define semi-structured interviews

A

An interview format that uses a fixed list of open-ended and closed-ended questions and the interviewer can add more questions if necessary

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30
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of interviews

A

+ open-ended questions produce more quali data (detailed, in-depth information)
+ comparisons and averages can be calculated in semi-structured interviews if necessary

  • social desirability bias (pps may lie)
  • interviews are time-consuming (takes long time to conduct and gather data)
  • researchers need to be careful not to be subjective and instead be objective
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31
Q

Define subjectivity

A

This is an individual’s personal viewpoint which may be biased by their own opinions, beliefs, or feelings and interpretations can differ between researchers

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32
Q

Define objectivity

A

This is an unbiased viewpoint which is not biased by a person’s opinions, beliefs, or feelings so interpretations should be kept consistent between different researchers

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33
Q

Define case study

A

A research method where a single individual is studied in detail

34
Q

Define triangulation

A

When different research methods are used to study the same phenomenon

35
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of case studies

A

+ in-depth information can be gathered from just one individual
+ high validity from triangulation (wide variety of info can be gathered from participant and family members)

  • low validity (if researcher and participant develop a close relationship, this can make researcher subjective to pps responses)
  • lack of confidentiality (if the questions asked makes pps feel uncomfortable or intrudes their life, making it unethical)
36
Q

Define naturalistic observation

A

A study conducted in the participant’s natural environment without the interference of the researchers in the physical or social environment

37
Q

Define controlled observation

A

A study conducted where the researcher watches the participant in a situation where the social and physical environment is manipulated by the researcher

38
Q

Define unstructured observation

A

A study where the observer records the participant’s behavior without a predefined criteria

39
Q

Define structured observation

A

A study where the observer records the participant’s behavior according to a pre-established criteria

40
Q

Define behavioral categories

A

The activities recorded in an observation, and they should be operationalized

41
Q

Define inter-observer reliability

A

When two observers watching the same event produce the same records

42
Q

Define participant observer

A

When the observer watches from the perspective of being part of the social setting

43
Q

Define non-participant observer

A

When the observer doesn’t get involved in the situation being studied

44
Q

Define overt observation

A

When the role of the observer is obvious and visible to the participants

45
Q

Define covert observation

A

When the role of the observer is hidden and unknown to the participants

46
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of covert observation

A

+ High validity (pps don’t know they’re being observed)
+ Low social desirability (because observer is hidden, pps are less likely to act on social desirability)

  • Less validity & reliability (data collection is more difficult as observer has to watch participants from a distance and disguise their role)
  • no informed consent (pps don’t know they’re being observed)
47
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of observations

A

+ High eco validity (pps are more likely to behave naturally in a naturalistic environment)
+ Important behaviors are recorded in unstructured observation
+ high validity (pps don’t know they’re being recorded in covert observation)

  • Hard to collect all data accurately in all activities in unstructured observations
  • Ethical deception/no informed consent (pps may be uncomfortable without knowing they’re being observed)
  • High social desirability in overt observations (pps change their behavior as they know they’re being watched)
48
Q

Define co-variables

A

Two measured variables in a correlation

49
Q

Define correlation

A

A research method that looks for a relationship between two measured variables where a change in one variable is related to a change in the other variable

50
Q

Define causal relationship

A

A link between two variables where a change in one variable causes a change in the other variable

51
Q

Positive correlation

A

A relationship between two variables where both variables increase together

52
Q

Negative correlation

A

A relationship between two variables where an increase in one variable is accompanied by a decrease in the other

53
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of correlations

A

+ high reliability (if measures of both variables are consistent)
+ Useful (correlations don’t need any manipulation, so can be used when it’s not practical or ethical to conduct experiments)

54
Q

Define longitudinal studies

A

A research method that follows participants over a long period of time to look at changes in variables due to experiences (like interventions, drugs)

55
Q

Define cross-sectional study

A

Compares people at different ages or stages by comparing different groups of participants at one point in time

56
Q

Define cohort

A

A group of participants that are selected at the same age or stage

57
Q

Define longitudinal design

A

An experimental design where the same participants are tested on two or more occasions over a long time

58
Q

Define situational variable

A

A confounding variable caused by the aspect of the environment

59
Q

Define confounding variables

A

Extraneous factors that interfere with the relationship between the experimenter’s IV and DV

60
Q

Define sample attrition

A

This is the loss of participants from the sample overtime due to reasons like boredom, desire to discontinue, death, etc

61
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of longitudinal studies

A

+ High validity (same pps are retested overtime, so researchers can ensure any changes in pps isn’t due to pps variables)
+ Data can be collected and analysed as researchers look at pps over long time

  • Sample attrition
  • Sample attrition leads to low gen (makes study less representative of other populations)
  • low reliability (some variables may be introduced or change, leads to low reliability)
  • time consuming
62
Q

Define opportunity sampling

A

Where participants are chosen because they’re available

63
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of opportunity sampling

A

+ Quick and easy to select participants as they’re readily available

  • Low gen (sample may be less representative as the variety of pps available is likely to be limited)
64
Q

Define volunteer sampling

A

Where participants are invited to participate and willingly take part in the study (like through e-mails/advertisements)

65
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of volunteer sampling

A

+ Quick and convenient as pps come to the researcher

  • Low gen (sample may not be representative as pps who respond may be similar e.g: they all have free time)
66
Q

Define random sampling

A

Sampling all members of the population where they’re selected in an unbiased way (like randomly selecting paper names/numbers out of a hat)

67
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of random sampling

A

+ High (likely to be more representative as a variety of pps in population are likely to be chosen)

  • In reality, sample can be low in gen (pps in sample may not be equally chosen as not all pps are accessible)
68
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of quantitative data

A

+ objective measures are used
+ easy to compare and analyze data
+ high reliability (scales and questions used)

  • low validity (data collection methods limit response choices)
69
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of qualitative data

A

+ High validity (pps can express their opinions, feelings freely/aren’t limited to a few choices)

  • Data is subjective (researcher’s interpretations may differ and be biased to their own feelings/opinions)
  • Less gen (if detailed information is only gathered for one or few pps)
70
Q

What’s a bar chart?

A

A graph used for data to show separate categories and total or average scores

71
Q

What are histograms?

A

A graph used to display continuous data

72
Q

What are scatter graphs?

A

A graph that displays data from a correlational study

73
Q

State ethical guidelines of human participants

A
  • privacy
  • confidentiality
  • protection from physical/psychological harm
  • valid consent
  • right to withdraw
  • lack of deception
  • debriefing
74
Q

State ethical guidelines of animal participants

A
  • housing
  • pain/suffering
  • rewards, deprivation & aversive stimuli
  • species
  • replacement
  • no. of animals
75
Q

Define species guideline

A

The chosen species should be the one to least likely suffer pain

76
Q

Define no. of animals guideline

A

No. of animals should be kept at a minimum to ensure the study is high in reliability and validity

77
Q

Define pain/suffering guideline

A

Physiological and psychological pain should be avoided in animals like distress, injury, or diseases

78
Q

Define housing guideline

A

Overcrowding or isolation can be distressing to animals depending on their social behavior

  • Isolation: more socially behaving animals will feel distresses in an isolated environment
  • Overcrowding: Too many animals around can cause distress and aggression which can lead to physical harm
79
Q

Define reward/deprivation guideline

A
  • Deprivation is removing resources that are important to the anima
  • Animals’ needs such as food and water should be considered before the study as they shouldn’t be deprived of necessities
80
Q

Define test-retest procedure

A

This measures the consistency of a task where the test is used twice and if the participants’ two sets of scores are similar, then it’s high in reliability