Research Methods Flashcards
Aim
General statement that sets out what the researchers wants to investigate
Independent Variable
Factor that is manipulated to see the effects on the dependent variable
Dependent Variable
Variable an experimenter observes and measures as a consequence of manipulation of the IV
Extraneous Variable
Any variable , other than the IV, that can have an effect on the DV if it is not controlled for
Affects both conditions
Confounding variables
Any variable, other than the IV, that may have affected the DV
Affects one condition
Hypothesis
Testable statements that predict what the researcher expects to happen in their research
Operationalisation
Making the variable stated in the aim measurable so that they can be precisely tested
Why do we operationalise the DV
To makes the research objective , specific and replicable
Directional hypothesis
Predicts direction of change (significant increase/decrease)
Non-directional hypothesis
Doesn’t give a direction of change, implement states that there will be a difference (significant difference)
When is a directional hypothesis used?
When there is research to suggest direction of change
When is a non-directional hypothesis used?
When there is no prior research to suggest the direction of change
Contradictory research
Types of experiments
Laboratory
Field
Natural
Quasi
Features of a laboratory experiment
IV is manipulated by researcher
High control over extraneous variables- environments controlled and artificial
Features of a field experiment
IV is manipulated by researcher
Takes place in a natural environment
Some control over extraneous variables
Features of a natural experiment
IV is not manipulated by the researcher - natural occurring
Takes place in natural environment
Limited/ no control over extraneous variables
Null Hypothesis
Predicts there will be no change between the two conditions of the IV
Alternate Hypothesis
Predicts that there will be a change in the two conditions of the IV
Strengths of a Lab Experiment
High internal validity- control over extraneous variables
Reliability- high levels of control so there is a standardised procedure
Weaknesses of a Lab Experiment
Lacks ecological validity
High demand characteristics
Strengths of Field Experiments
Increased ecological validity
Low demand characteristics
Weaknesses of Field Experiments
Low internal validity - low levels of control
Low reliability- can’t check for consistency due to lack of standardised procedure
Strengths of Natural Experiments
Increased ecological validity
Low demand characteristics
Weaknesses of Natural Experiments
Low internal validity- no control over extraneous variables
Low reliability- no standardised procedure
Features of Quasi Experiments
IV is naturally occurring (pre existing differences in participants)
Control over extraneous variables
Strength of Quasi Experiments
Useful to investigate variables that would otherwise be unethical ( IV is natural occurring)
Weaknesses of Quasi Experiments
Confounding participant variables that cannot be controlled
High demand characteristics
Independent Groups
When different participants take part in different conditions so participants are only exposed to one condition
Strengths of Independent Groups
No order effect- participants are only in one condition
Less demand characteristics
Weaknesses of Independent Groups
Individual differences
More time consuming
Repeated Measures
When all participants take part in all conditions
Matched Pairs Design
When different participants take part in different conditions but they are matched on a relevant characteristic based on a pre- test
Strengths of Repeated Measures
No individual differences
Less participants needed
Weaknesses of Repeated Measures
High Demand Characteristics
Order effect
Strengths of Matched Pairs Design
Less individual differences
Less demand characteristics
No order effect
Weaknesses of Matched Pairs Design
Time consuming
Can’t match on all characteristics
More expensive than Repeated Measures
More material
How does Counter Balancing work?
Divide participants into the number of conditions
One group completes A first then B
The second group completed B first then A
(ABBA method)
Why do we Counter Balance?
Balance the order effect between each condition equally
(Means that the order effect doesn’t affect only one condition)
What is Random Allocation?
When each participant has an equal chance of being in each condition
How does Random Allocation work?
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
Why do we do Random Allocation?
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)
