Research Methods Flashcards
what is meant by the Aim ?
The aim is what the researcher intends to investigate (the purpose of the study)
what are Extraneous Variables ?
variables that could affect the Dependant Variable (researchers try to control these)
what are Situational Variables ?
something within the environment e.g noise, light, temperature
what are Participant Variables ?
Age, gender, ethnicity, IQ
What are Demand Characteristics
When the participants work out the aim of the study & change their behaviour to please the researcher
What is it called when participants work out the aim of the study and change their behaviour to purposely annoy the researcher
The Screw You Effect
what is Social Desirability ?
Changing your behaviour to appear more socially acceptable
when the hypothesis indicates the direction of the likely outcome (due to previous research & evidence)
A Directional Hypothesis
When the Hypothesis does not indicate the direction of the likely outcome
A Non-directional Hypothesis
What does it mean to Operationalise ?
To make the variables testable or measurable
what are Investigator Effects ?
when a researcher unintentionally or unconsciously influences the outcome of the research they are conducting
What is the Independent Variable ?
the variable that the researcher manipulates/changes
What is the Dependant Variable
the variable that the researcher measures
Field Experiment
an experiment which uses some controlled elements of a lab experiment but takes place in natural real world settings
Lab Experiment
Takes place in an artificial setting & is controlled
