Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Aim

A

General statement that sets out what the researchers wants to investigate

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2
Q

Independent Variable

A

Factor that is manipulated to see the effects on the dependent variable

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3
Q

Dependent Variable

A

Variable an experimenter observes and measures as a consequence of manipulation of the IV

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4
Q

Extraneous Variable

A

Any variable , other than the IV, that can have an effect on the DV if it is not controlled for

Affects both conditions

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5
Q

Confounding variables

A

Any variable, other than the IV, that may have affected the DV

Affects one condition

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6
Q

Hypothesis

A

Testable statements that predict what the researcher expects to happen in their research

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7
Q

Operationalisation

A

Making the variable stated in the aim measurable so that they can be precisely tested

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8
Q

Why do we operationalise the DV

A

To makes the research objective , specific and replicable

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9
Q

Directional hypothesis

A

Predicts direction of change (significant increase/decrease)

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10
Q

Non-directional hypothesis

A

Doesn’t give a direction of change, implement states that there will be a difference (significant difference)

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11
Q

When is a directional hypothesis used?

A

When there is research to suggest direction of change

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12
Q

When is a non-directional hypothesis used?

A

When there is no prior research to suggest the direction of change

Contradictory research

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13
Q

Types of experiments

A

Laboratory
Field
Natural
Quasi

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14
Q

Features of a laboratory experiment

A

IV is manipulated by researcher

High control over extraneous variables- environments controlled and artificial

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15
Q

Features of a field experiment

A

IV is manipulated by researcher
Takes place in a natural environment
Some control over extraneous variables

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16
Q

Features of a natural experiment

A

IV is not manipulated by the researcher - natural occurring
Takes place in natural environment
Limited/ no control over extraneous variables

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17
Q

Null Hypothesis

A

Predicts there will be no change between the two conditions of the IV

18
Q

Alternate Hypothesis

A

Predicts that there will be a change in the two conditions of the IV

19
Q

Strengths of a Lab Experiment

A

High internal validity- control over extraneous variables

Reliability- high levels of control so there is a standardised procedure

20
Q

Weaknesses of a Lab Experiment

A

Lacks ecological validity

High demand characteristics

21
Q

Strengths of Field Experiments

A

Increased ecological validity

Low demand characteristics

22
Q

Weaknesses of Field Experiments

A

Low internal validity - low levels of control

Low reliability- can’t check for consistency due to lack of standardised procedure

23
Q

Strengths of Natural Experiments

A

Increased ecological validity

Low demand characteristics

24
Q

Weaknesses of Natural Experiments

A

Low internal validity- no control over extraneous variables

Low reliability- no standardised procedure

25
Q

Features of Quasi Experiments

A

IV is naturally occurring (pre existing differences in participants)

Control over extraneous variables

26
Q

Strength of Quasi Experiments

A

Useful to investigate variables that would otherwise be unethical ( IV is natural occurring)

27
Q

Weaknesses of Quasi Experiments

A

Confounding participant variables that cannot be controlled

High demand characteristics

28
Q

Independent Groups

A

When different participants take part in different conditions so participants are only exposed to one condition

29
Q

Strengths of Independent Groups

A

No order effect- participants are only in one condition

Less demand characteristics

30
Q

Weaknesses of Independent Groups

A

Individual differences

More time consuming

31
Q

Repeated Measures

A

When all participants take part in all conditions

32
Q

Matched Pairs Design

A

When different participants take part in different conditions but they are matched on a relevant characteristic based on a pre- test

33
Q

Strengths of Repeated Measures

A

No individual differences

Less participants needed

34
Q

Weaknesses of Repeated Measures

A

High Demand Characteristics

Order effect

35
Q

Strengths of Matched Pairs Design

A

Less individual differences

Less demand characteristics

No order effect

36
Q

Weaknesses of Matched Pairs Design

A

Time consuming
Can’t match on all characteristics
More expensive than Repeated Measures
More material

37
Q

How does Counter Balancing work?

A

Divide participants into the number of conditions
One group completes A first then B
The second group completed B first then A
(ABBA method)

38
Q

Why do we Counter Balance?

A

Balance the order effect between each condition equally
(Means that the order effect doesn’t affect only one condition)

39
Q

What is Random Allocation?

A

When each participant has an equal chance of being in each condition

40
Q

How does Random Allocation work?

A

Gather all participants names and place them in a hat
Draw out a name and allocate them to Condition 1
Draw out another name and allocated them to Condition 2

Continue until all participants have been allocated to a condition

41
Q

Why do we do Random Allocation?

A

Minimises individual differences- different characteristics are allocated by chance

Prevents researcher bias in allocation into conditions (one characteristic isn’t over represented in one condition)