Research Methods Flashcards
Independent variable
variable changed by experimenter, interested in its effect (effect of IV on DV)
Dependent variable
variable measured, measured effects of IV
Extraneous variable
anything affecting DV that it isn’t IV
Confounding variable
uncontrolled variable that acts systematically on one level of IV/exaggerating the difference and confusing results, difficult to understand effect of IV over DV
Control condition
IV not present (base level comparing experimental condition
experimental condition
IV present (testing effect of IV on DV)
Lab experiment
experiment in artificial environment, high degree of control
Field experiment
experiment in natural environment, IV manipulated (controlled)
Natural experiment
experiment in natural environment, IV not manipulated, observes and use information produced by natural circumstance
Independent measures design
experimental design in which different groups of participants used for each level of IV(condition)
Repeated measures design
experimental design each participant performing in every level of IV
Matched participants design
experimental design participants arranged in pairs, each similar in ways that are important to study, one member of pair performs different level of IV
Standardisation
keeping procedure for each participant in studyexactly same to ensure any differences between participants/conditions are due to variables under investigation than difference in the way treated
Reliability
extent to which procedure/task/measure consistent
Internal Validity
extent to which piece of evidence supports a claim about cause + effect, within the context of particular study
External Valiidity
validity of applying conclusions of scientific study outside context of that study
Ecological Validity
extent to findings in one situation would generalise others, influenced whther the situation represents the real world effectively/relevant to real life
Generalisability
can findings be applied more widely?
Mundane Realism
is the task relevant to real life, or artificial and therefore participants treat it so?
Self-report
research method (ex. questionnair/interview) obtaining data by asking participants to provide information about themselves
Questionnaire
self-report research method using written question through paper+pencil or online
Closed question
questions producing quantitative data, have few, stated alternative responses, no opportunity to expand on answers (fixed answers)
Open question
question producing qualitative data, participants giving full and detailed answers in their own words (no categories/words given)
Inter-rater reliability
extent to two researchers interpreting qualitative responses will produce same records from same raw data
Social desirability bias
trying to present oneself in best light by determining what task requires
Filler questions
items to disguise the aim of the study by hiding important questions among irrelevant ones for participants to less likely work out aims and alter behaviour
Interview
research method with verbal questions directly, face to face or telephone
Structured interview
interview using fixed order of questions (script), might require interviewer’s posture, voice, etc. for standardisation
Unstructured interview
interview with most questions depend on respondent’s answers (topics might given)
Subjectivity
effect of individual’s personal viewpoint, interpretation can differ, biased by feelings, beliefs, experiences
Objectivity
impact of unbiased external viewpoint, not affected by individual’s feelings, beliefs, experiences
Naturalistic observations
study watching participants’ behaviour in their normal environment without interference from researchers in social/physical environment
Controlled observation
study watching participants’ behaviour in manipulated situation (social, physical) could be normal/artificial
Structured observation
study that observer records limited range of behaviours
Unstructured observation
study that observer records whole range of possible behaviours, usually confined to pilot stage at beginning of study to refine behavioural categories
Behavioural categories
activities recorded, should be operationalised (clearly defined), break continuous stream of activity into decrete recordable events, observable actions
Participant observer
researcher watching in part of social setting
Non-participant observer
researcher not involved in situation studies
Overt observer
role of observer obvious to participants
Covert observer
role of observer hidden/not obvious
Hypothesis
testable statement based on aims of investigation
Alternative hypothesis
testable statement predicting difference between levels of IV
Non directional (two-tailed) hypothesis
statement predicting difference (only one variable will be related to another) (no direction)
Directional (one-tailed) hypothesis
predicts one variable will be related to another in particular direction
Null hypothesis
predicts any difference/correlation in results is due to chance
Population
everyone in target group
Sample
part of target, representative of population
Sampling technique
method to obtain participants for study
Opportunity sampling
participants chosen since available
Volunteer (self-selected) sample
participants invited to participate and choose to
Random sample
all members are population equally able to be selected (unbiased)
Qualitative
descriptive, in-depth results showing ‘quality’
Quantitative
numerical results
Single blind study
participants don’t know if they’re in control/experimental group
Double blind study
neither participants/experimenter/s don’t know control of the group
