Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Falsifiability

A

The possibility that a statement or hypothesis can be proved wrong via testing

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2
Q

Objectivity

A

Measurement of data is not affected by researcher expectations
Objectivity means reducing individual differences to make it more scientific

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3
Q

Replicability

A

Recording procedures carefully for another researcher to repeat and verify the original results, increasing validity of findings

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4
Q

Empirical methods

A

Methods which rely on direct observation or testing, like brain scans or blood tests

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5
Q

Paradigm

A

A shared set of assumptions about a subject matter of a discipline and the methods appropriate to its study

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6
Q

Paradigm Shift

A

Scientific revolution where the accepted paradigm is questioned and this gains popularity to the point the contradictory evidence becomes a new, more dominant approach

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7
Q

Steps of induction (theory construction) OHSCT

A

Observations
Testable hypothesis
Conduct a study
Draw conclusions
Propose a theory

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8
Q

Steps of deduction (theory construction) OTHSC

A

Observations
Propose theory
Testable hypothesis
Conduct a study
Draw conclusions

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9
Q

How should a hypothesis be tested?

A

Using systematic and objective methods to determine support or rejection

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10
Q

Experimental methods:

A

Lab
Field
Natural
Quasi

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11
Q

Lab experiment

A

Uses a carefully controlled setting and standardised procedure to measure how the IV affects the DV
The participants are aware they are in it but may not know the aims

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12
Q

Lab experiments Strengths

A

Greater control over variables
Easily replicable so results can be tested and compared
Standardised procedure increases internal validity

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13
Q

Lab experiments Weaknesses

A

Demand characteristics- when participants figure out the aims they can alter behaviour
Artificial environment lacks ecological validity

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14
Q

Field experiement

A

Uses control of lab experiments but in real-world settings. The IV is still deliberately manipulated and the DV measured
Usually participants unaware

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15
Q

Field experiment
Strengths

A

High ecological validity due to being in real-life settings
Reduced chance of demand characteristics- naturally environment=more natural behaviour

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16
Q

Field experiment weaknesses

A

Less control as it is harder to manipulate the IV and record the DV
Ethical problems- participants may be unaware they are observed
No controls so more difficult to replicate

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17
Q

Natural experiment

A

Study of a naturally occurring situation, no influence over the situation but observes individuals and circumstances

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18
Q

Natural experiment advantages

A

High ecological validity- natural settings, high relativity to real life behaviour
Less chance of demand characteristics- less likely to adjust behaviour as they are unknowingly being observed

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19
Q

Natural experiments disadvantages

A

Ethical issues- participants may be unaware they are participating in the study(deception)
No control over extraneous variable so affect of IV are not always clear

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20
Q

Quasi experiments

A

Naturally occurring IV, e.g. gender, age, disorder, control (DV still measured)

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21
Q

Quasi experiments
Advantages

A

Allows for comparison between types of people- no manipulation is carried out but results show differences
Can be done in lab- DV tested in a lab so high control/ replicability

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22
Q

Quasi experiments
Disadvantages

A

lab setting- low ecological validity
lack of random allocation-participants cant be randomly allocated so there may be confounding variables

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23
Q

Experiments demonstrate what

A

Cause and effect

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24
Q

Independent variable

A

Variable that is manipulated

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25
Q

Dependent variable

A

Variable that is measured

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26
Q

Operationalisation

A

Process of making an abstract construct/variable to something measurable

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27
Q

Extraneous variables

A

Anything other than the IV that affects the DV. These variables can be controlled by the experimenter

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28
Q

Confounding variables

A

Variables that aren’t controlled and affect the results

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29
Q

Research aims

A

Stated intentions of what questions are planned to be answered

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30
Q

Hypothesis

A

A formal, unambiguous statement of what is predicted

31
Q

Main features of a hypothesis

A

Contains conditions of the IV and expected DV outcome
Be operationalised and measurable

32
Q

Directional hypothesis

A

States whether the DV outcome is expected to be greater or lesser, positive or negative
e.g group A, who used a mnemonic will score significantly higher than group B who didnt

33
Q

Non-directional hypothesis

A

Doesnt state the direction of the DV, just that there is a difference
e.g. there is a significant difference between the scores from group A and group B

34
Q

Null hypothesis

A

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

35
Q

Reliability is…

A

consistency

36
Q

Internal reliability

A

each person in a study is treated the same way

37
Q

External reliability

A

Same/similar results found after repeated test

38
Q

Test-retest reliability

A

Test the same person twice
same sample, same test, ensure a time gap

39
Q

Inter-observer reliability

A

Compares observations from different observers- reduces bias

40
Q

Correlational reliability

A

should exceed +80 on Pearsons correlation coefficient which tells us if IV has enough influence

41
Q

Validity is….

A

Accuracy/ representativeness

42
Q

Internal validity

A

is it measuring what its meant to measure?

43
Q

External validity

A

is it generalisable beyond the experimental setting?

44
Q

Ecological validity
Population validity
Temporal validity

A

Realistic setting?
Applicable sample?
Does it stand “the test of time”?

45
Q

Face validity

A

Surface level, does it look like it measures what it should?

46
Q

Concurrent validity

A

Are findings similar to those on a well established test
2 tests correlating similarly as a check of accuracy

47
Q

3 ways to improve validity

A

Representative sample
Larger sample size
Realistic setting

48
Q

Independent groups

A

Two groups exposed to different conditions
Random allocation and the DV is measured for each and compared

49
Q

Independent groups advantages

A

No order effects
Data collection is easier and faster

50
Q

Independent groups disadvantages

A

Finding different participants- 2x
Risk of individual differences affecting

51
Q

Repeated measures

A

One group takes part in each condition then compare results

52
Q

Repeated measures advantages

A

Controlled variables- same group of pp
Fewer people- economic advantage

53
Q

Repeated measures disadvtanges

A

Order effects- boredom fatigue from repeats
Demand characteristics

54
Q

Matched pairs

A

Recruit and group based on relevant characteristics then treat like independent variables

55
Q

Matched pairs advantages

A

Reduces participant variables
Less order effects- one condition

56
Q

Matched pairs disadvantages

A

Time-consuming matching
Less economical especially with a pre test

57
Q

Demand characteristics

A

Cues that might indicate study aims to pp and cause change in behaviour

58
Q

Investigator effects

A

When a researcher unconsciously influences the outcome of research

59
Q

Single blind
Double blind

A

Participants are not aware
Participants and experimenters both not aware

60
Q

Control group

A

A group in which a variable is not being tested

61
Q

Confederate

A

A secret participant which makes the cover story more real and capture naive reactions

62
Q

Randomisation
Standardisation

A

Randomly assigning subjects to many potential influences that cant be controlled
Keeping everything the same= fair

63
Q

Pilot study: what, why, advantages

A

Small study to test research protocols, strategies, data collection instruments in prep for a large study
Why: tests aspects for a larger indepth investigation
Adv: identify potential problems and fix, avoids time/resource wasting

64
Q

Opportunity sampling

A

Participants selected based on availability

65
Q

Opportunity sampling
Advantages and disadvantages

A

+ Fastest way, reduces time and costs
- researcher bias(select participants for desired result)
-unrepresentative(easy access)

66
Q

Random sampling

A

Eaxh sample has an equal chance of being selected

67
Q

Random sampling
Advantages and disadvantages

A

+Avoids researccher bias
+easy way of sampling
-unrepresentative of all minority groups
-difficult and time consuming

68
Q

Stratified sampling

A

Dividing subjects into subgroups/strata based on shared characteristics

69
Q

Stratified sampling
Advantages and disadvantages

A

+Representative of target pop
+Random chosen within each stratum
-Not every characteristic will be represented
-Time consuming to establish strata then select

70
Q

Systematic sampling

A

Select participants of the population at regular intervals

71
Q

Systematic sampling
Advantages and disadvantages

A

+Avoids researcher bias
+If list already exists of targets=quick
-Unrepresentative sample
-Big target pop, too hard

72
Q

Volunteer sampling

A

Researchers seek volunteers to participate

73
Q

Volunteer sampling
Advantages and disadvantages

A

Easy sample to collect-self presented
Reach a large no of potential participants
Generalisability to target population?- Volunteers have diff characteristics
Volunteer bias- friendlier, more freetime