Research Methods Flashcards
What is a hypothesis?
Prediction, or testable statement
That must contain the IV and DV and be very specific (known as operationalisation)
How can a hypothesis be directional or non directional?
Directional- a prediction that the hypothesis will only have one outcome
Non- directional- hypothesis predicts two possible outcomes.
what is an extraneous variable?
Variables that are not part of the study but can affect the dependent variable .
Confounding variables are ones that are not part of the study but have a systematic effect on the DV
what is a control group?
A group that does not experience the IV being manipulated but will have their DV being measured anyways. So the control group can be used as a comparison point between the groups that have had a changed IV
What is a lab experiment?
A place where the IV is manipulated to see the effect on the DV in controlled conditions
It provides valid results
However lacks ecological validity
what is a field experiment?
where the iv is manipulated to see the effect on the DV in a more natural situation
Will provide more ecological validity
Will have more extraneous variables affecting the DV
what is a natural experiment?
where a researcher records the effects of a naturally occurring IV on a DV
This provides opportunities for research that could not have taken place otherwise; as it would have been unethical or impossible to manipulate the IV
It is not possible to control the situation at all
What is a quasi experiment?
The researcher is studying something that cannot be randomnly assigned but is an IV that is just an innate characteristic of the participants involved.
Limitations of a quasi experiment?
Participant variables that cannot be controlled that could be a confound on the DV
This is due to the groups being dictated by the independent variable e.g. you cannot randomly assign participants to be male or female
So we cant be sure if the IV is affecting the DV
What is internal validity?
How certain we are that the IV is affecting the DV
The greater the control = the less extraneous variables= the more internal validity
what is ecological validity?
Refers to the extent that a study can be generalised to the real world
The more the behaviour takes place in a natural setting the higher the ecological validity
what is an independent group design?
Multiple groups of participants will experience different l of the changes in the IV
Participants are less likely to guess the aim of the experiment
the measurement of the DV will not be affected fatigue
more expensive
the natural differences between groups could confound the research
limitations of independent group study?
Participants are less likely to guess the aim of the experiment
the measurement of the DV will not be affected fatigue
disadvantages
more expensive
the natural differences between groups could confound the research
what is repeated measures design
Only one group of participants that experience all the chnages of the IV
dis/advantage of repeated measure design
adv
Fewer participants needed
no potential variables to affect the DV
dis
Demand characteristics - people may act and change behaviour
they may know the hypothesis
they may be better at the task the 2nd time around due to being able to practise it
