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ALevel Psychology > Research methods > Flashcards

Research methods Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a Variable

A

Any factor that can vary or change within an investigation. (They are generally used in experiments to determine if changes in one factor result to changes to another)

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2
Q

What is an Independent Variable (IV)

A

Some aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated (changed) by the researcher (or changes naturally) so the effect on the dependent variable can be measured

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3
Q

What is a Dependent Variable (DV)

A

The variable that is measured by the researcher. Any effect on the dependent variable should be caused by the change in independent variable

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4
Q

What is an Operationalising Variables

A

Ensuring variables are in a form that can be easily tested, and making a variable ‘concrete’ so that it is described explicitly

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5
Q

What is an Aim

A

The purpose for carrying out a study (must be written in present tense)

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6
Q

What is an Extraneous Variable

A

Any factors that intrude upon and adversely affect the DV (all groups)

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7
Q

What is a Confounding Variable

A

Variables that can affect the DV and impact the outcome of the research (some groups)

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8
Q

What is a Hypothesis

A

A testable statement written as a prediction of what the researcher expects to find as a result of their experiment

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9
Q

What is an Alternative Hypothesis

A

A clear, precise and testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated.

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10
Q

What is a Null Hypothesis

A

The opposite of an Alternative Hypothesis. It is when you predict that there will be no difference or association between the variables that you are studying. (research is conducted to try prove this hypothesis wrong)

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11
Q

What is a Null Hypothesis

A

States that there will be no difference or association between the variables you are researching

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12
Q

What is a Directional Hypothesis

A

States the kind (direction) of difference or relationship expected between 2 conditions or groups of participants

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13
Q

What is a Non-Directional Hypothesis

A

Predicts that there will be a difference or relationship between 2 conditions or groups of participants

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14
Q

Experimental Hypothesis

A

The hypothesis which directly predicts the effect of the IV on the DV, it can be written as a directional hypothesis or as a non-directional hypothesis

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15
Q

What is the Repeated Measures design?

A

When participants take part in all conditions of the experiment. (e.g. all participants drink an energy drink then run a race, followed by drinking water and running a race)

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16
Q

What are the strengths of the Repeated Measures design?

A

1) No participant variables
2) Needs less participants than independent groups

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17
Q

What are the weaknesses of the Repeated Measures design?

A

1) The order of the conditions may affect performance. This is called an order effect
2) Demand characteristics may be more likely to affect the results, because when they take part in the 2nd condition they may guess the aim of the experiment = affecting their behavior

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18
Q

How do you deal with the limitations of the Repeated Measures design?

A

1) Counterbalancing
2) Use 2 different (equivalent tests) to reduce the practice effect
3) Use a cover story to avoid participants guessing the aim
4) Have a time gap between conditions

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19
Q

What is the Independent Groups design?

A

Participants take part in one condition of the experiment (e.g. each participant either drinks an energy drink and runs the race OR drink the water and runs the race)

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20
Q

What are the Strengths of the Independent Groups design?

A

1) Avoid order effects
2) Fewer demand characteristics as participants only take part in one condition so less likely to guess the aim
3) In some cases, you can use the same materials which means they will be the same level of difficulty

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21
Q

What are the Weaknesses of the Independent Groups design?

A

1) The researcher cannot control the effects of participant variables (the different abilities and characteristics of the participants)
2) The researcher cannot control the effects of participant variables (the different abilities and characteristics of the participants)

22
Q

How do you deal with the limitations of the Independent Groups design?

A

1) Randomly allocate participants to conditions. The same techniques are used to achieve this as for random sampling

23
Q

What is the Matched Pairs design?

A

Participants are put into pairs based on a potential extraneous variable (e.g. IQ. Then one of them takes part in condition A and the other takes part in condition B.)

24
Q

What are the Strengths of the Matched Pairs design?

A

1) Avoids order effects
2) Fewer demand characteristics as participants only take part in one condition so less likely to guess the aim
3) Participant variables minimized

25
Q

What are the Weaknesses of the Matched Pairs design?

A

1) It is very time consuming and difficult to match the participants on key variables. The researcher would also need to start with a large group or participants to ensure they can obtain matched pairs on key variables
2) Although participant variables are minimized, it is not possible to control for all participant variables because you can only match on variables known to be relevant. It could be that others are important

26
Q

How do you deal with the limitations of the Matched Pairs designs?

A

1) Restrict the number of variables to match on to make it easier
2) Conduct a pilot study to consider key variables for matching

27
Q

What are Demand Characteristics?

A

When P’s want to be helpful and therefore they pay attention to the clues in the experiment that may guide their behavior. These might indicate the research objectives to participants and can lead participants to change their behaviors or responses based on what they think the research is about.

28
Q

What are ways too deal with Demand Characteristics?

A

1) single blind design
2) double blind design
3) experimental realism
4) counterbalancing
5) pilot studies

29
Q

What are Investigator Effects?

A

Any cues (other than the IV) from the investigator that encourage certain behaviors in a participant, and which might lead to a fulfilment of the investigator’s expectations. These may include everything from the design of the study, to the instructions given and selection of / interaction with the participants.

30
Q

What is an way to deal with Investigator Effects?

A

Standardized instructions (verbatim format)

31
Q

What is a Single Blind Design?

A

In this design, the participant is not aware of the research aims and / or of which condition of the experiment they are receiving

32
Q

What is a Double Blind Design?

A

In this design, the participant and the person conducting the experiment are blind to the aim / hypothesis

33
Q

What is Experimental Realism?

A

When the researcher makes the task sufficiently engaging, the participant pays attention to the task and not the fact that they are being observed

34
Q

What is Counterbalancing?

A

When half the participant’s in a Repeated Measures Design do some A then B and so do B then A. This means order effects such as boredom and practice effects can be controlled for

35
Q

What are Standardised Instructions?

A

Written instructions that are read or read by each participant’s in exactly the same way. They must be written in a way that can be read out (verbatim). They also must include a check at the end that the participants have understood what to do

36
Q

What is a Standardized Procedure?

A

A set of procedures that is written and followed so that each participant experiences the same procedure as much as possible

37
Q

What are Pilot Studies?

A

A small-scale study that is conducted before the larger study to iron out any problems with the design

38
Q

What is a Laboratory Experiment?

A

An experiment (IV manipulated by the researched, DV measured) conducted in a highly controlled environment. Participants are aware they are taking part in an experiment (although they may not know the full aims)

39
Q

What is a Field Experiment?

A

An experiment conducted in a more natural or ‘ordinary’ environment. As with laboratory experiments, the IV is manipulated by the researcher and the DV is measured. A key feature is that participants are not usually aware that they are participating in the experiment

40
Q

What is a Natural Experiment?

A

An experiment when the researcher takes advantage of a pre-existing independent variable. It is usually conducted when it is not possible to deliberately manipulate the IV due to the ethical or practical reasons. (remember that it is the IV that occurs ‘naturally’. The DV can still be tested in a controlled setting e.g. a lab))

41
Q

What is a Quasi Experiment?

A

The key feature is an IV that is not only natural, but has not been made to vary by anyone. It is simply a difference between people that already exists. (e.g. gender, age) The DV can still be tested in a controlled setting

42
Q

What is a Strength of a Laboratory Experiment?

A

High control of Extraneous Variables, thus high internal validity. We are able t see cause and effect as we can be sure that any effect on the DV is the result of manipulation of the IV

43
Q

What is a Weakness of a Laboratory Experiment?

A

They may lack generalizability. They are often artificial and not like everyday life so cannot always be generalized beyond the research setting (low external validity)

44
Q

What is a Strength of a Natural Experiment?

A

Allows research where the IV cannot be manipulated for practical or ethical reasons

45
Q

What is a Weakness of a Natural Experiment?

A

Cannot demonstrate cause and effect as the IV is not directly manipulated

46
Q

What is a Strength of a Field Experiment?

A

Higher mundane realism than lab experiments as the environment is more natural (+ no demand characteristics)

47
Q

What is a Weakness of a Field Experiment?

A

There are ethical issues. If participants are unaware they are being studied, then they cannot give informed consent and therefore the research may constitute as invasion of privacy

48
Q

What is a Strength of a Quasi Experiment?

A

They are often carried out under controlled conditions and therefore share the strengths of lab experiments

49
Q

What is a Weakness of a Quasi Experiment?

A

Cannot randomly allocate participants to groups (random allocation) so therefore there may be cofounding variables which cannot be controlled, a threat to internal validity

50
Q

What are the Experimental Methods?

A

Laboratory Experiment, Field Experiment, Natural Experiment, and Quasi Experiment

51
Q

What are the Experimental Designs?

A

Repeated Measures. Independent Groups, and Matched Pairs

ALevel Psychology (3 decks)

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