Research Methods Flashcards
Independent variable.
The variable that is changed by the experimenters.
Dependent variable.
The variable that is being measured.
Extraneous variable.
Variables that are not the IV that may affect the outcome of the experiment.
Confounding variable.
A variable that has impacted the results of an experiment that is not the IV.
Control condition.
The group in an experiment where the IV is not present.
Experimental condition.
The group in an experiment where the IV is present.
Lab experiment.
An experiment in an artificial environment with the aim of controlling most extraneous variables.
Field experiment.
An experiment in the real world where the IV is still controlled.
Natural experiment.
Also known as a Quasi-experiment. An experiment in the real world where the IV is not controlled.
Independent measures design.
Where each group does a different thing in an experiment.
Repeated measures design.
Where every groups does every condition of the experiment.
Matched participants design.
Where participants are matched between groups by age, gender, IQ, etc., to reduce participant variables.
Standardization.
Keeping the procedure for each participant the same to ensure any differences between participants and conditions are due to the IV instead of the way the participants were treated.
Reliability.
The extent to which the study is consistent and can be repeated with similar results.
Internal validity.
Is the study valid within the context it is being studied. Did the study research what it set out to.
External validity.
The extent to which the study can be applied to the wider world.
Ecological validity.
The extent to which the study can be applied to real life.
Generalisability.
The extent to which the results of a study can be applied to a wider group.
Mundane realism.
Does the study match behaviours/things in the real world.
Self-report.
When a participant gives you information about themselves. (Interview, survey, questionnaire)
Questionnaire.
A form of self-reporting where participants answer a series of questions non-verbally.
Closed question.
Easy to analyze with yes or no, number, etc. based questions.
Open question.
A question that requires more detailed, in-depth answers that are harder to analyze.
Inter-rater reliability.
The extent to which similar conclusions are produced by two researchers interpreting the same qualitative responses.
Social desirability bias.
When participants lie in their answers to look more socially acceptable.
Filler question.
A question to distract from the real aim of the questionnaire.
Interview.
A question-and-answer verbal conversation where one person is trying to get information from the other. Can be face-to-face, by telephone, or online.
Structured interview.
Following a set script of questions.
Semi-structured interview.
A mix of set questions and a chance to follow a participants answers.
Unstructured interview.
No set questions except for possibly the first question.
Subjectivity.
An opinion open to interpretation and other points of view.
Objectivity.
A statement/fact that is neutral and unbiased.
Naturalistic observation.
When you observe people in their natural environment.
Controlled observation.
When you observe people in a controlled environment. Can be social, physical, or both.
Unstructured observation.
When the observer notes down everything that happens during the experiment. Usually done at the beginning of experiments.
Structured observation.
When the observer only notes down certain observations.
Behavioural categories.
When observations are placed into different categories for each behaviour.
Participant observer.
When the observer takes part in the experiment and is among the participants.
Non-participant observer.
When the observer is not part of the experiment.
Overt observer.
The observer is able to be seen by the participants.
Covert observer.
The observer is not able to be seen by the participants.
Hypothesis.
States that there will be a relationship between variables. Correlation.
Alternate hypothesis.
There will be a difference in relationship between two variables in a particular direction.
Non-directional (two-tailed) hypothesis.
There will be a difference in relationship between two variables but could be in either direction.
Directional (one-tailed) hypothesis.
There will be a difference in relationship between two variables in a particular direction.
Null hypothesis.
The relationship between the variables is caused by chance.
Informed consent.
The participant must know enough about the study to decide if they want to participate.
Right to withdraw.
The participant can remove themselves and their data at any point before, during, and after the study.
Privacy.
Not invading a person’s emotional, physical, and social space and respecting them.
Confidentiality.
Keeping a participant’s info and data private.
Debriefing.
Fully explaining the study to the participants after the study is completed.
Deception.
Not revealing the true aim of a study to ensure the study works properly.
Replacement.
Can a video or computer-generated animal be used in place of a real animal.
Species & Strain.
Is the species being used the one that brings the most benefit? Were the animals bred in captivity? Have they been used in previous experiments?
Number of animals.
Is the minimum number of animals being used to minimise suffering?
Procedures: Pain & Distress.
Are the procedures done to minimise pain and distress?
Housing.
Are the animals isolated? Crowded? In their natural habitat?
Reward, deprivation, & averse stimuli.
Reward good behaviour and do not punish negative behaviour.
Anaesthesia, Analgesia, & Euthanasia.
Use anaesthetics for surgeries and procedures. Euthanise animals if the experiment causes lasting pain.
Inter-observer reliability.
The extent to which similar observations are produced by two researchers observing the same event.
Test-retest.
A way to measure the consistency of a test. The test is used twice and if scores on both tests are similar, then it has good reliability.
