Research Methods

Question 1

What is an experiment ?

Answer 1

An investigation looking for a cause and effect relationship in which the IV is manipulated and the DV is measured.

Question 2

What is an independent variable (IV) ?

Answer 2

The factor in the investigation which is manipulated to create multiple conditions and is responsible for the changes in the DV.

Question 3

What is a dependant variable? (DV)

Answer 3

The factor in the investigation which is measured and expected to change under the influence of the IV.

Question 4

What is an extraneous variable?

Answer 4

A variable which acts randomly effecting the DV making it less valid.

It must be controlled

Question 5

What is an experimental design?

Answer 5

The way in which participants are allocated (chosen) to levels of the IV.

Question 6

What is independent measures design?

Answer 6

An experimental design in which different participants are used for each level of the IV.

Question 7

What is repeated measures design?

Answer 7

An experimental design in which each participant performs in every level of the IV

Question 8

What is matched pairs design?

Answer 8

An experimental design in which participants are arranged into pairs with similar characteristics relating to the study. One member of each pair performs in one level of the IV.

Question 9

Define demand characteristics.

Answer 9

Features of a study that give away the aim, removes bias and enhances validity.

Question 10

What is a laboratory experiment?

Answer 10

A research method conducted in an artificial environment.
Includes an IV, DV and strict controls.

Question 11

What is a field experiment?

Answer 11

An investigation conducted in the normal environment of the participants for the behaviour being investigated.

Question 12

What is natural experiment?

Answer 12

An investigation in which the IV cannot be directly manipulated. Researcher can only study the effect of an existing difference or change.

Question 13

What is a case study?

Answer 13

A research method in which a single instance is being studied in detail.

Question 14

What is quantitative data?

Answer 14

Numerical results about the quantity. of a psychological measure.

Question 15

What is qualitative data?

Answer 15

Descriptive in-depth results indicating the quality of a psychological characteristic.

Question 16

What is self report?

Answer 16

A research method in which you obtain data by asking participants to provide information about themselves.

Question 17

What is a questionnaire?

Answer 17

A research method that uses written questions.

Question 18

What are ‘closed questions’?

Answer 18

A type of questionnaire that only has a few stated alternative responses and no opportunity to expand on answers.

Produces quantitative data

Question 19

What are ‘open questions’?

Answer 19

A type of questionnaire that allow participants to give full and detailed answers in their own words.

Produces qualitative data

Question 20

What is an interview?

Answer 20

A research method using verbal questions asked directly.

Question 21

What is a structured interview?

Answer 21

An interview with questions asked in a fixed order and may be scripted.

Question 22

What is an unstructured interview?

Answer 22

An interview in which most questions after the first are dependant on the respondent’s answer.

Question 23

What is a semi-structured interview?

Answer 23

An interview with a fixed list of open and closed questions, the interviewer is allowed to add more questions if necessary.

Question 24

What is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 24

A study conducted by watching the participants behaviours in their normal environment without any interference from the researchers in either their social or physical environment.

Question 25

What is a controlled observation?

Answer 25

A study conducted by watching the participants behaviours in which the social or physical environment has been manipulated by the researchers. Conducted in either a natural or artificial environment.

Question 26

What is a participant observer?

Answer 26

A researcher who watches from the perspective of the participant in the social setting.

Question 27

What is an overt observer?

Answer 27

The role of the observer is obvious to the participants.

Question 28

What is a covert observer?

Answer 28

The role of the observer is not obvious to the participants.

Question 29

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 29

A testable statement predicting the difference between levels of the IV or a relationship between variables.

Question 30

What is the sampling technique?

Answer 30

The method used to obtain participants for a study from the population.

Question 31

What is a sample?

Answer 31

The group of people selected to represent the population in a study.

Question 32

What is a population?

Answer 32

The group sharing one or more characteristics from which a sample is drawn.

Question 33

What is opportunity sampling?

Answer 33

Choosing participants because they are available.

Question 34

What is volunteer sampling?

Answer 34

Participants are invited to participate through advertisements/emails. People choose and select themselves to become the sample.

Question 35

What is random sampling?

Answer 35

All members of the population are allocated and a fixed number of these are selected in an unbiased way.

Question 36

What is are ethical issues?

Answer 36

Problems in research that raise concerns about participants welfare or have potential to impact society negatively.

Question 37

What is are ethical guidelines?

Answer 37

Advice that guides psychologists to consider the welfare of participants.

Question 38

What is are the 7 ethical guidelines?

Answer 38

1. Informed consent
2. Right to withdraw
3. Privacy
4. Confidentiality
5. Protection of participants
6. Deception
7. Debrief