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Psychology > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the first step a psychologist must take before conducting research?

A

Decide what they aim to investigate

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2
Q

What is a hypothesis?

A

A testable statement

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3
Q

What are the three essential components of a hypothesis?

A

Both conditions of the independent variable, the dependent variable, the word significant

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4
Q

What is a directional hypothesis?

A

It states the outcome using terms like more, less, increase, or decrease

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5
Q

Provide an example of a directional hypothesis.

A

Students will score significantly higher on the test when they sleep for 8 hours or more compared to those who sleep for less

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6
Q

What is a non-directional hypothesis?

A

It states there will be a difference between two conditions without specifying the direction

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7
Q

Provide an example of a non-directional hypothesis.

A

There will be a significant difference in test scores between students who sleep for 8 hours or more and those who sleep for less

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8
Q

What is a null hypothesis?

A

It states there will be no difference between the two conditions of the independent variable

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9
Q

Provide an example of a null hypothesis.

A

There will be no significant difference between test scores of students who slept for 8 hours or more and those who slept for less

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10
Q

List the three types of hypotheses.

A
  • Directional
  • Non-directional
  • Null
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11
Q

What is the independent variable in an experiment?

A

The variable that is changed

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12
Q

What is the dependent variable in an experiment?

A

The variable that is measured

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13
Q

What does it mean to operationalise variables?

A

To make them measurable

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14
Q

How could you measure running speed operationally?

A

By counting how many seconds it takes to run 100m

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15
Q

Identify the independent variable in the hypothesis: ‘There will be a significant difference between happiness scores for people who earn less than £30,000 and people who earn £30,000 or more.’

A

Income level

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16
Q

Identify the dependent variable in the hypothesis: ‘There will be a significant difference between happiness scores for people who earn less than £30,000 and people who earn £30,000 or more.’

A

Happiness scores

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17
Q

Identify the type of hypothesis in: ‘There will be a significant increase in criminal activity for people who grew up in single parent households compared with people who grew up in a dual parent household.’

A

Directional

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18
Q

Identify the type of hypothesis in: ‘There will be no significant difference in the amount of puzzles completed when participants drink 500ml of coffee compared to participants who drink no coffee.’

A

Null

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19
Q

What is a variable that can affect the dependent variable but is not the independent variable?

A

Extraneous Variable

These variables can introduce noise in the research findings if not controlled.

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20
Q

What is a variable that does affect the results of a study?

A

Confounding Variable

This variable can lead to incorrect conclusions about the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

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21
Q

What is the relationship called where the independent variable impacts the dependent variable?

A

Cause and Effect

Establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship is crucial in experimental research.

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22
Q

In an experiment, what do researchers aim to manipulate to observe its effects?

A

Independent Variable (IV)

The independent variable is the one that is changed or controlled to test its effects on the dependent variable.

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23
Q

What do researchers measure to observe the effects of the independent variable?

A

Dependent Variable (DV)

The dependent variable is the outcome that researchers are interested in measuring.

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24
Q

What is the term for variables that are measured in studies that do not have independent or dependent variables?

A

Co-variables

Co-variables are used in correlational studies to assess the relationship between two measured variables.

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25
Q

Fill in the blank: A psychologist wanted to test whether the amount of cheese eaten affects _______.

A

reaction time

This example illustrates how a specific independent variable (amount of cheese) is tested against a dependent variable (reaction time).

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26
Q

True or False: In psychological experiments, all aspects of the situation are kept constant except for the independent variable.

A

True

Controlling other variables helps ensure that the results are due to the manipulation of the independent variable.

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27
Q

What might a confounding variable in a study on cheese consumption and reaction time be?

A

Playing sports

Individuals who play sports may have better reaction times, which could confound the results of the study.

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28
Q

What is the goal when a researcher discovers extraneous variables that could impact their experiment?

A

Control the independent variable

This ensures that the research findings are valid and reliable.

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29
Q

What is reliability in psychology?

A

The idea that something is consistent.

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30
Q

What are the different types of reliability in psychology?

A

Internal reliability, external reliability, inter-rater reliability, split-half reliability, test-retest reliability.

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31
Q

What does internal reliability refer to?

A

Consistency of methods in an experiment.

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32
Q

What is external reliability?

A

The consistency of results when replicated in a real-life setting.

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33
Q

Define inter-rater reliability.

A

When two observers consistently observe the same behavior.

34
Q

What is split-half reliability?

A

Dividing a test in half and calculating the correlation between the two scores.

35
Q

Describe test-retest reliability.

A

Used on a measure, e.g., IQ test, when the same test is done twice and results are the same.

36
Q

What is validity in the context of psychology?

A

A way of describing how accurate or true an experiment’s findings are.

37
Q

What does high validity indicate?

A

Findings have supporting evidence for a hypothesis.

38
Q

What is internal validity?

A

When the study accurately measures what it set out to measure.

39
Q

Define external validity.

A

The extent to which results can apply to real life.

40
Q

What is population validity?

A

How accurately results can be generalized to the rest of the world.

41
Q

What is predictive validity?

A

The extent to which a study can accurately project future outcomes.

42
Q

What is concurrent validity?

A

The accuracy of a test compared to other pre-established tests.

43
Q

Fill in the blank: _______ is when two observers consistently observe the same behavior.

A

Inter-rater reliability

44
Q

True or False: Internal reliability ensures that results are consistent when replicated.

A

True

45
Q

Fill in the blank: _______ refers to the consistency of methods in an experiment.

A

Internal reliability

46
Q

Fill in the blank: _______ refers to the extent to which results can apply to real life.

A

External validity

47
Q

What is a lab experiment in psychology?

A

An experiment carried out in a specially designed artificial environment allowing full control of all variables.

Lab experiments enable researchers to isolate cause and effect relationships.

48
Q

What is one advantage of lab experiments?

A

All extraneous variables can be controlled.

This ensures that the independent variable is affecting the dependent variable.

49
Q

What is a disadvantage of lab experiments?

A

Lack of ecological validity.

Lab settings are artificial and do not reflect real-life situations.

50
Q

What is a field experiment?

A

An experiment carried out in a real-world natural setting, such as a school or hospital.

Field experiments provide more realistic contexts for studying behavior.

51
Q

What is one advantage of field experiments?

A

High ecological validity.

Conducting experiments in natural environments increases the relevance of the findings.

52
Q

What is a disadvantage of field experiments?

A

Little control over variables.

This makes it difficult to establish cause and effect.

53
Q

What is a quasi-experiment?

A

An experiment where the independent variable occurs naturally and cannot be manipulated.

Examples include studies on autism, ethnicity, or gender.

54
Q

What is one advantage of quasi-experiments?

A

Gains insight into behaviors that cannot be ethically manipulated.

They allow researchers to study phenomena like schizophrenia.

55
Q

What is a disadvantage of quasi-experiments?

A

Lack of control over independent variables.

This leads to uncertainty about cause and effect.

56
Q

What is population validity?

A

The extent to which the findings of a study can be generalized to a wider population.

Quasi-experiments often involve unique participants, limiting generalizability.

57
Q

True or False: Participants in lab experiments are usually unaware that they are being studied.

A

False.

Participants in lab experiments know they are part of a study, which can lead to demand characteristics.

58
Q

Fill in the blank: A key disadvantage of field experiments is the _______ of control over variables.

A

lack

This can complicate the ability to draw definitive conclusions about cause and effect.

59
Q

What is a sample in psychological research?

A

A small group of people taken from a target population.

60
Q

Define target population.

A

The group of people that a researcher tends to study.

61
Q

What is random sampling?

A

A sample in which any member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

62
Q

What are the advantages of random sampling?

A

Unbiased; all members of the target population have an equal chance of selection.

63
Q

What are the disadvantages of random sampling?

A

Requires a complete list of the target population; time-consuming to contact selected members.

64
Q

What is volunteer sampling?

A

Sampling method where people respond to an advert for volunteers.

65
Q

What is an advantage of volunteer sampling?

A

Access to a variety of participants, making the sample more representative.

66
Q

What is a disadvantage of volunteer sampling?

A

Sample may be biased as participants are likely more motivated or have extra time.

67
Q

What is opportunity sampling?

A

Sampling method where participants are selected based on availability.

68
Q

What is an advantage of opportunity sampling?

A

Easiest method; quick to locate participants.

69
Q

What is a disadvantage of opportunity sampling?

A

Inevitably biased as sample is drawn from a small part of the target population.

70
Q

What is snowball sampling?

A

A method used to locate groups of people by asking existing participants to refer others.

71
Q

What is an advantage of snowball sampling?

A

Enables researchers to locate difficult-to-access populations.

72
Q

What is a disadvantage of snowball sampling?

A

Sample is not likely to be a good cross-section of the population.

73
Q

What is quota sampling?

A

Gathering a sample according to predetermined quotas needed for research.

74
Q

What is an advantage of quota sampling?

A

More representative than other methods due to proportional representation of subgroups.

75
Q

What is a disadvantage of quota sampling?

A

Very time-consuming to identify and select participants.

76
Q

What is stratified sampling?

A

Ensuring the amount of people from each category is proportional to the population.

77
Q

What is an advantage of stratified sampling?

A

Likely to be more representative than other methods.

78
Q

What is a disadvantage of stratified sampling?

A

Very time-consuming to identify subgroups and contact participants.

79
Q

What is systematic sampling?

A

Selecting every nth person from a list of the target population.

80
Q

What is an advantage of systematic sampling?

A

Unbiased as participants are selected using an objective system.

81
Q

What is a disadvantage of systematic sampling?

A

Not truly unbiased unless the starting point is selected randomly.

Psychology (3 decks)

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