Research methods Flashcards
Define experiments
An investigation that looks for a causal relationship where the IV is manipulated and responsible for the changes in the DV
Define IV
IV is manipulated under 2 or more conditions and is expected to be responsible for changes in the DV
Define DV
DV is what is measured and is expected to change under the influence of the IV
Define experimental design
Participants are allocated to different levels of IV
Define independent measures design
Where different groups of participants are used for each level of the IV
2 Strengths & weaknesses of independent measures design
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
Define repeated measures design
Same group of participants are used for every level of the IV
Strengths & weaknesses of repeated measures design
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
Define matched pairs design
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
Strengths and weaknesses of matched pairs design
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
Define laboratory experiment
- IV, DV, strict controls
- Looks for a causal relationship
- Conducted in an unnaturalistic setting with participants in regard to their behavior performed
2 strengths and 2 weaknesses of lab exp
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
Define field experiment
- Looks for a causal relationship
- IV is manipulated and expected to be responsible for changes in DV
- Conducted in natural environment
2 strengths and weaknesses of field exp
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
Define hypothesis
A testable statement based on the aims of the investigation
Define alternative hypothesis
A testable statement predicting a difference in the DV based on the levels of the IV in an experiment
Define two-tailed (non-directional) hypothesis
- Only predicts the effect
- Doesn’t predict the direction of the effect
E.g:
Define one-tailed (directional) hypothesis
Predicts the direction of the effect
E.g:
Define null hypothesis
A testable statement saying that any difference is due to chance and not because of variables being studied
Define self-report
A research method that gathers data by asking participants to provide information about themselves
E.g. interviews or questionnaires
Define questionnaire
A research method that uses written questions through pen and paper or online techniques to gather participants’ information
Define closed-ended questions
Participants only have a few stated options to choose from and they don’t have any opportunity to expand their responses
Define open-ended questions
Participants give their detailed answers in their own words without any other choices given
Define inter-rater reliability
This is when two researchers who produce qualitative data from interviews or questionnaires will produce the same records from the same raw data
Strengths and weaknesses of questionnaires
+ 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)
Define interviews
A research method that uses verbal questions asked directly like face-to-face or verbal communication
Define structured interviews
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)
Define unstructured interviews
An interview format where the questions that are asked depends on what the participant says, so questions for every participant may be different
Define semi-structured interviews
An interview format that uses a fixed list of open-ended and closed-ended questions and the interviewer can add more questions if necessary
Strengths and weaknesses of interviews
+ 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
Define subjectivity
This is an individual’s personal viewpoint which may be biased by their own opinions, beliefs, or feelings and interpretations can differ between researchers
Define objectivity
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