Research Methods Flashcards
Falsifiability
The possibility that a statement or hypothesis can be proved wrong via testing
Objectivity
Measurement of data is not affected by researcher expectations
Objectivity means reducing individual differences to make it more scientific
Replicability
Recording procedures carefully for another researcher to repeat and verify the original results, increasing validity of findings
Empirical methods
Methods which rely on direct observation or testing, like brain scans or blood tests
Paradigm
A shared set of assumptions about a subject matter of a discipline and the methods appropriate to its study
Paradigm Shift
Scientific revolution where the accepted paradigm is questioned and this gains popularity to the point the contradictory evidence becomes a new, more dominant approach
Steps of induction (theory construction) OHSCT
Observations
Testable hypothesis
Conduct a study
Draw conclusions
Propose a theory
Steps of deduction (theory construction) OTHSC
Observations
Propose theory
Testable hypothesis
Conduct a study
Draw conclusions
How should a hypothesis be tested?
Using systematic and objective methods to determine support or rejection
Experimental methods:
Lab
Field
Natural
Quasi
Lab experiment
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
Lab experiments Strengths
Greater control over variables
Easily replicable so results can be tested and compared
Standardised procedure increases internal validity
Lab experiments Weaknesses
Demand characteristics- when participants figure out the aims they can alter behaviour
Artificial environment lacks ecological validity
Field experiement
Uses control of lab experiments but in real-world settings. The IV is still deliberately manipulated and the DV measured
Usually participants unaware
Field experiment
Strengths
High ecological validity due to being in real-life settings
Reduced chance of demand characteristics- naturally environment=more natural behaviour
Field experiment weaknesses
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
Natural experiment
Study of a naturally occurring situation, no influence over the situation but observes individuals and circumstances
Natural experiment advantages
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
Natural experiments disadvantages
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
Quasi experiments
Naturally occurring IV, e.g. gender, age, disorder, control (DV still measured)
Quasi experiments
Advantages
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
Quasi experiments
Disadvantages
lab setting- low ecological validity
lack of random allocation-participants cant be randomly allocated so there may be confounding variables
Experiments demonstrate what
Cause and effect
Independent variable
Variable that is manipulated
Dependent variable
Variable that is measured
Operationalisation
Process of making an abstract construct/variable to something measurable
Extraneous variables
Anything other than the IV that affects the DV. These variables can be controlled by the experimenter
Confounding variables
Variables that aren’t controlled and affect the results
Research aims
Stated intentions of what questions are planned to be answered