Research Methods

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

General statement that sets out what the researchers wants to investigate

Question 2

Independent Variable

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Dependent Variable

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Extraneous Variable

Answer 4

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

Affects both conditions

Question 5

Confounding variables

Answer 5

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

Affects one condition

Question 6

Hypothesis

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Operationalisation

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Why do we operationalise the DV

Answer 8

To makes the research objective , specific and replicable

Question 9

Directional hypothesis

Answer 9

Predicts direction of change (significant increase/decrease)

Question 10

Non-directional hypothesis

Answer 10

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

Question 11

When is a directional hypothesis used?

Answer 11

When there is research to suggest direction of change

Question 12

When is a non-directional hypothesis used?

Answer 12

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

Contradictory research

Question 13

Types of experiments

Answer 13

Laboratory
Field
Natural
Quasi

Question 14

Features of a laboratory experiment

Answer 14

IV is manipulated by researcher

High control over extraneous variables- environments controlled and artificial

Question 15

Features of a field experiment

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Features of a natural experiment

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Null Hypothesis

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Alternate Hypothesis

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Strengths of a Lab Experiment

Answer 19

High internal validity- control over extraneous variables

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

Question 20

Weaknesses of a Lab Experiment

Answer 20

Lacks ecological validity

High demand characteristics

Question 21

Strengths of Field Experiments

Answer 21

Increased ecological validity

Low demand characteristics

Question 22

Weaknesses of Field Experiments

Answer 22

Low internal validity - low levels of control

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

Question 23

Strengths of Natural Experiments

Answer 23

Increased ecological validity

Low demand characteristics

Question 24

Weaknesses of Natural Experiments

Answer 24

Low internal validity- no control over extraneous variables

Low reliability- no standardised procedure

Question 25

Features of Quasi Experiments

Answer 25

IV is naturally occurring (pre existing differences in participants) Control over extraneous variables

Question 26

Strength of Quasi Experiments

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Weaknesses of Quasi Experiments

Answer 27

Confounding participant variables that cannot be controlled High demand characteristics

Question 28

Independent Groups

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Strengths of Independent Groups

Answer 29

No order effect- participants are only in one condition Less demand characteristics

Question 30

Weaknesses of Independent Groups

Answer 30

Individual differences More time consuming

Question 31

Repeated Measures

Answer 31

When all participants take part in all conditions

Question 32

Matched Pairs Design

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Strengths of Repeated Measures

Answer 33

No individual differences Less participants needed

Question 34

Weaknesses of Repeated Measures

Answer 34

High Demand Characteristics Order effect

Question 35

Strengths of Matched Pairs Design

Answer 35

Less individual differences Less demand characteristics No order effect

Question 36

Weaknesses of Matched Pairs Design

Answer 36

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

Question 37

How does Counter Balancing work?

Answer 37

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

Question 38

Why do we Counter Balance?

Answer 38

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

Question 39

What is Random Allocation?

Answer 39

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

Question 40

How does Random Allocation work?

Answer 40

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

Question 41

Why do we do Random Allocation?

Answer 41

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)