Research Methods

Question 1

IV and DV

Answer 1

IV- Variable that is changed to see if it affects the DV
DV - The variable that is being measured by the researcher
effect on the Dv causes change in IV

Question 2

Aims + Hypothesis

Answer 2

Aim- General statement of what the researcher intends to investigate / purpose
Hypothesis - Statement made at start of study describes relationship between variables.

Question 3

Directional and non directional hypothesis

Answer 3

Directional - researcher states clear difference that is anticipated between the two conditions
Non directional - states there is a difference but the nature of the difference isn’t specified

Question 4

Hypothesis used

Answer 4

Directional - Theory or findings of previous research suggest a particular outcome
Non directional - When no previous research is conducted or findings are contradictory

Question 5

operationalisation

Answer 5

Operationalisation - Defining variables clearly in terms of how they can be measured

Question 6

Extraneous variables and confounding variables

Answer 6

Extraneous - An variable other than the IV and DV that could affect the results
Confounding variables - systematically change with the IV, unexpected that makes it harder to define whether the results are due to one factor or another

Question 7

Demand characteristics and investigator effects

Answer 7

Demand - occur when the participant tries to make sense of the research and act accordingly to support the aim of research. Can cause change in behaviour making it unnatural.
Investigator - Any unwanted influence of the investigator on the research outcome

Question 8

Randomisation / Standardisation / Participant reactivity

Answer 8

Participant reactivity - when behaviours and reactions are impacted by the participants knowledge they are part of a study
Randomisation - chance methods to reduce researchers unconscious bias when designing a study
Standardisation - All participants should be subject to the same environment, information and experience,standardised instructions that are read to each participant.

Question 9

Types of experiments

Question 10

Target population and sample

Answer 10

Target population - large group of individuals that a researcher is interested in studying
Sample - smaller group of target population that needs to be respresentative of the target population so it can be generalised.

Question 11

random sample

Answer 11

All members of the target population have an equal chance of being selected
Random sample - list of target population, all names assigned number, generated using lottery method
+Free from researcher bias
- May end up with unrepresentative sample
- Difficult and time consuming

Question 12

Systematic sample

Answer 12

When every nth member of the target population is selected
Sampling frame and sampling system created
+Avoids researcher bias
+ Fairly representative

Question 13

Stratified sample

Answer 13

sample reflects the proportions of people in certain sub groups (strata)within the population
researcher identifies different strata, proportions worked out, then selected using random sampling
- Doesn’t represent differences, not complete representation
+ Avoids researcher bias
+ Representative sample

Question 14

opportunity sample

Answer 14

select anyone who happens to be willing and available for the study
+ Less costly and time consuming
- Researcher bias
-unrepresentative of target population

Question 15

Volunteer sample

Answer 15

Participants selecting themselves to be part of the sample.
+less time consuming than other forms of sampling
- Volunteer bias - attract a certain type of person