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Research Methods (Experimental Methods- Paper 2) > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

1
Q

What is a hypothesis?

A

A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.

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2
Q

What is a variable in psychology research?

A

Any factor that can vary or change in an experiment.

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3
Q

What is an independent variable?

A

The variable that is manipulated or changed by the researcher in an experiment.

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4
Q

What is a dependent variable?

A

The variable that is measured or observed in an experiment and is affected by the independent variable.

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5
Q

Define what is a laboratory experiment?

A

An experiment conducted in a controlled environment where researchers manipulate variables to study their effects.

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6
Q

Define what is a field experiment?

A

An experiment conducted in a natural setting outside of a laboratory.

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7
Q

What is a case study?

A

An in-depth investigation of an individual or small group.

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8
Q

What is a longitudinal study?

A

A study that follows the same group of individuals over an extended period of time.

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9
Q

What is a cross-sectional study?

A

A study that compares different groups of individuals at the same time.

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10
Q

What is a correlation study?

A

A study that examines the relationship between two or more variables to determine if they are associated.

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11
Q

What is a meta-analysis?

A

A research method that combines the results of multiple studies to draw a conclusion.

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12
Q

What is reliability in research?

A

The consistency or stability of a measuring instrument.

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13
Q

What is validity in research?

A

The extent to which a test or experiment measures what it is intended to measure.

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14
Q

What is an operational definition?

A

A precise description of how a variable in a study will be measured or manipulated.

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15
Q

What is informed consent?

A

The ethical principle that participants in a study must be fully informed about the research and give their voluntary consent to participate.

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16
Q

What is debriefing in research?

A

A process where researchers provide participants with information about the study after it is completed.

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17
Q

What is a confounding variable?

A

An extraneous variable that interferes with the relationship between the independent and dependent variables in a study.

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18
Q

Define what is a quasi-experiment?

A

A research design where the IV is a difference between people (E.g- gender, age, disorder)

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19
Q

What is a population in research?

A

The entire group of individuals that researchers are interested in studying.

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20
Q

What is a sample in research?

A

A subset of the population that is selected for a study.

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21
Q

Why do we do hypothesis testing?

A

In order to make clear and precise predictions on the basis of a theory.

(should use systematic and objective methods to determine whether it should be supported or rejected)

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22
Q

What is an extraneous variable?

A

A general term for any variable, other than the IV, that might affect the results (the DV).

(if EVs are important enough to cause a change, they become confounding variables)

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23
Q

What is an aim?

A

Research aims are the stated intentions of what question(s) are planned to be answered.

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24
Q

What is a directional hypothesis?

A

States whether the DV outcome is expected to be greater or lesser, positive or negative.

(used when there has been previous research to suggest direction)

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25
Q

What is a non-directional hypothesis?

A

Doesn’t state the direction of the DV, just that there’ll be a difference.

(It is used when there is no theory/previous research or it is contradictory)

26
Q

What is a null-hypothesis?

A

A prediction of no difference between the two IV conditions on the outcome of the DV.

27
Q

What is internal validity?

A

IV effect only, measures what it’s meant to measure.

28
Q

What is external validity?

A

The data can be generalisable beyond the test setting.

29
Q

Name two ways to assess validity

A

1) Face Validity: whether it looks like it measures what it’s meant to (E.g- a ruler)

2) Concurrent validity: whether findings are similar to those on a well-established test

30
Q

Name the three types of external validity

A

1) Ecological validity- realistic setting, data can be generalised to real-life situations.

2) Population validity- applicable sample?
(can you apply data from your sample to a larger group?)

3) Temporal validity- when research findings successfully apply across time.

31
Q

How can we improve a study’s validity?

A

by controlling extraneous variables, using standardized instructions, counterbalancing, and eliminating demand characteristics and investigator effects.

32
Q

How can we improve a study’s reliability?

A

By repeating the experiment and obtaining the same or similar results

33
Q

What is inter-observer reliability?

A

It refers to the extent to which two or more observers are observing and recording behaviour in the same way.

34
Q

What is a laboratory experiment? (include AO3)

A

An experiment conducted in a controlled environment where researchers manipulate variables to study their

Pros:
-high internal validity
-easy to replicate (high amount of control and standardised procedures)

Cons:
-low ecological validity
-demand characteristics

35
Q

What is a field experiment? (include AO3)

A

An experiment conducted in a natural setting outside of a laboratory.

Pros:
-high ecological validity
-lack of demand characteristics

Cons:
-low internal validity
-less easy to replicate (due to lower levels of control; weather, social conditions change)

36
Q

What is a quasi-experiment?
(Include AO3)

A

A research design where the IV is a difference between people (E.g- gender, age, disorder)

Pros:
-allows comparisons between types of people without manipulation
-can be carried out in a lab (high control/can be replicated)

Cons:
-low ecological validity (if in a lab)
-lack of random allocation (IV is naturally occurring)
-may be confounding variables

37
Q

Define what is a natural experiment?

A

A study conducted when it is not ethically/practically possible to deliberately manipulate an IV.

38
Q

What is a natural experiment?
(include AO3)

A

A study conducted when it is not ethically/practically possible to deliberately manipulate an IV.

Pros:
-Allows research to occur, when IV cannot be manipulated
-High ecological validity

Cons:
-Lack of causal relationship (cannot be demonstrated)
-Lack of random allocation. (may be confounding variables)

39
Q

Define random sampling

A

All members of the target population have an equal chance of being selected.

40
Q

What is random sampling? (Include AO3)

A

All members of the target population have an equal chance of being selected.

Pros:
-Potentially unbiased
-confounding/extraneous variables should be equally divided (increasing internal validity)

Cons:
-Difficult/time consuming to conduct
-Sample is unrepresentative
-Participants may refuse

41
Q

Define what is opportunity sampling

A

Anyone in the vicinity who is willing and available.

42
Q

What is opportunity sampling (Include AO3)

A

Anyone in the vicinity who is willing and available.

Pros:
-convenient
-less costly (time & money)

Cons:
-Sample is unrepresentative (cannot be generalised)
-Researcher bias present

43
Q

Define what is systematic sampling

A

Every nth member of the target population is selected.

44
Q

What is systematic sampling? (include AO3)

A

Every nth member of the target population is selected.

Pros:
-Objective (researcher has no influence)

Cons:
-Time consuming
-Participants may refuse. (Volunteer sample)

45
Q

Define what is a volunteer sample?

A

A self-selected sample, often replying to an advert.

46
Q

What is a volunteer sample? (Include AO3)

A

A self-selected sample, often replying to an advert.

47
Q

What are demand characteristics?

A

A participant changing their behaviour to meet the aim of the investigation.

48
Q

Define what is informed consent?

A

Permission from participants to use them and their data in your study.

49
Q

What is informed consent? (Include AO3)
(What to do when guideline is broken)

A

Permission from participants to use them and their data in your study.

(should be informed of anything that may affect their decision- & must have parental consent for U16s)

Guideline broken?:
-Retrospective:
Participants can withdraw data

  • Presumptive:
    Ask a similar group of people to determine ethics

-Prior general:
Agree to take part in a study where they might be deceived.

-Right to withdraw

50
Q

Define what is deception?

A

Researcher gives false information to subjects or intentionally misleads them about some key aspect of the research. (No lies- but participants must remain naïve)

51
Q

What is deception? (Include AO3)
(What to do if a Guideline is broken?)

A

Researcher gives false information to subjects or intentionally misleads them about some key aspect of the research. (No lies- But participants must remain naïve)

Guideline broken?:
-Debrief
-Right to withdraw

52
Q

Define what is protection from harm?

A

Participants should be protected form extreme damaging/lasting physical or psychological harm.

53
Q

What is protection from harm?
(Include AO3)
(What to do if guideline is broken?)

A

Participants should be protected from extreme damaging/lasting physical or psychological harm.

(cost/benefit analysis used prior)

Guideline broken?:
-Debrief
-Counselling (continued CBT therapy)
-Right to withdraw

54
Q

Define what is confidentiality?

A

Information participants provide will be treated confidentially and, if published, will not be identifiable as theirs.

55
Q

What is confidentiality? (Include AO3)
(Procedure)

A

Information participants provide will be treated confidentially and, if published, will not be identifiable as theirs.

Guidelines:
-Use numbers instead of names
-Never broadcast footage
-No photos in published work

56
Q

Define what is the difference between an aim and a hypothesis?

A

An aim states the broader goal of what it is trying to achieve, while a hypothesis is a specific prediction of what it will find.

57
Q

Define what is independent groups? (Process)

A

-Recruit a group of participants and divide them into two.

-Each group does the experiment with their own IV set for condition 1 + 2
(Sober and Drunk)

-Measure the DV for each group

-Compare the results for the two groups

58
Q

What is independent groups?
(Include AO3)

A

Divide participants in two, two separate conditions for IV (Sober + Drunk). Then measure and compare the results.

Pros:
-Order effects are avoided (no pps used in more than 1 condition)
-Data collection will take less time, if simultaneous

Cons:
-Difficult & expensive (Different participants for each condition)
-Risk of individual differences affecting the results, rather than just the IV

59
Q

Define what is Repeated Measures?
(Process)

A

Recruit a group of participants. (Condition 1- Sober + Condition 2- Drunk)

The group does the experiment with the Condition 1 IV.

The group repeats the experiment with the Condition 2 IV.

Compare the results for the two conditions.

60
Q

What is Repeated Measures?
(Include AO3)

A

Recruit a group of participants, two separate conditions for IV (Sober + Drunk)
The group does the experiment with IV Condition 1, repeats for Condition 2. Then measure and compare the results.

Pros:
-Results are less affected by Individual differences
-Saves time and money (Same participants used at least twice)

Cons:
-Risk of observing order effects (controlled by counter balancing)
-If a participant drops out, data is lost from all conditions.

61
Q

Define what is Matched Pairs?

A

Recruit a group of participants, find out their characteristics.

Recruit another group that matches relevant characteristics.

Treat the experiment as independent measures:
Condition 1 (Sober)
Condition 2 (Drunk)

Compare the results for the matched pairs.

62
Q

What is Matched Pairs?
(Include AO3)

A

Recruit a group of participants, find out their characteristics, recruit another group with identical relevant characteristics.

Independent Measures:
Condition 1 (Sober) + Condition 2 (Drunk)
Compare the results for the matched pairs.

Pros:
-Order effects are minimised
(only take part in 1 condition)
-Reduced risk of Individual Differences

Cons:
-Difficult & expensive: Different participants must be recruited for each condition
-Matching is complex, very difficult to match identically.

Research Methods (Experimental Methods- Paper 2) (12 decks)

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