Research methods

Question 1

What is an independent variable?

Answer 1

A variable a researcher manipulates (changes).

Question 2

What is a dependent variable?

Answer 2

a variable a researcher measures

Question 3

Define operationalisation.

Answer 3

it is when variables are clearly specified to make them precise. e.g. aggression is too vague to could be operationalised by counting the number of times a person punches another person.

Question 4

Why is operationalisation important?

Answer 4

It ensures the research is objective, and also assesses the replicability of the findings.

Question 5

What is an extraneous variable

Answer 5

It is any variable other than the IV that could affect the DV e.g. if participants had less sleep at night.

Question 6

What is a confounding variable

Answer 6

A variable that varies with the IV and effect the DV. e.g. age

Question 7

Why is it important to control extraneous variables

Answer 7

To prevent them from affecting the results. This would prevent the researcher from being able to establish cause and effect.

Question 8

What is the purpose of counterbalancing

Answer 8

Used in repeated measure design to equally distribute the impact of order effects across conditions

Question 9

What is the purpose of random allocation.

Answer 9

Ensure each participant has an equal chance of being placed into each condition. It also removes researcher bias.

Question 10

What is the purpose of randomisation

Answer 10

Helps to reduce any predictable order in the presentation of stimuli. It therefore reduces the possibility that one condition will be easier than another

Question 10

What is the purpose of standardisation

Answer 10

Ensure all participants have the same experience.

Question 11

What is the procedure of counterbalancing

Answer 11

1. Participants are grouped
2. One group complete condition A first then condition B
3. The other group complete condition B then condition A

Question 12

What is the procedure of random allocation

Answer 12

1. All participants names are written on a sperate piece of paper
2. They are then placed in a hat and shuffled
3. The researcher blindly picks out who will be assigned to the first condition
4. The next name is then assigned to the second condition etc.

Question 13

Discuss the procedure of randomisation

Answer 13

1. All stimuli are printed on separate pieces of paper and placed into a hat
2. The researcher then shuffles the hat and blindly picks out a stimuli one at a time
3. The order it is pulled out is the order the stimuli’s are presented

Question 14

Discuss the procedure of standardisation

Answer 14

Keeping same task, researcher, instructions etc.