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research methods Flashcards

1
Q

What is a independent variable

A

What you change

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2
Q

What is a dependant variable

A

What you measure

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3
Q

What is a extraneous variable

A

A variable that is not controlled and effects the study

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4
Q

What is a confounding variable

A

An extraneous variable that effects the results of the study so that the effect of the independent variable is not truly being seen

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5
Q

What is a situational variable

A

An extraneous variable present in the environment of the study

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6
Q

What are participant variables

A

Extraneous variables specific to the participants of an investigation, for example, mood, ability or personality

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7
Q

What is a standardised procedure

A

Where the procedure of a study is the same across all conditions

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8
Q

How do we control use of a standardized procedure

A

If the noise is at a certain level for one condition, keep it the same for the other conditions

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9
Q

What is counterbalancing

A

Where half of the participant group experience condition A then condition B, while other experience condition B then condition A

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10
Q

What is randomisation

A

When participants are randomly assigned to condition A or B as their first or second test condition

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11
Q

How do you control randomisation

A

A raffle

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12
Q

What is a single blind technique

A

When information about the study is withheld from the participants

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13
Q

How do you control single blind technique

A

In clinical trials, the participant will not know if they are given the real medication or a placebo

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14
Q

What is a double blind technique

A

When the aims of the study are withheld from both participants and researchers

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15
Q

How to control a double blind technique

A

A independent researcher is employed to conduct the research

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16
Q

What is a null hypothesis

A

A prediction that the result or outcome will find no effect or very little effect

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17
Q

Write null hypothesis according to looking for a difference and looking for a relationship

A

DIFFERENCE
There willl be no difference in the number of digits recalled whether participants listened to classical music or jazz. Any difference will be due to change
RELATIONSHIP
There will be no difference between time spent revising and percentage score on a test; any relationship change will be found due to chance

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18
Q

What is a alternative hypothesis

A

Prediction of the expected outcome of a study

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19
Q

Wat are two types of alternative hypothesis

A

Non directional and directional

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20
Q

What is a directional hypothesis

A

A hypothesis that predicts the directions the results will go in

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21
Q

Example of a directional hypothesis in terms of difference and relationship

A

DIFFERENCE
adults will recall more digits than children
RELATIONSHIP
There will be a negative correlation between self esteem and depression

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22
Q

Example of a non directional hypothesis in terms of difference and relationship

A

DIFFERENCE
There will be a difference in the number of digits recalled by adults of children
RELATIONSHIP
There will be a negative correlation between self- esteem and depression

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23
Q

What is a target population

A

The group of people being investigated in a study

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24
Q

What is random sampling technique

A

A technique used to gather a random sample of participants from the target population

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25
Q

What are strengths and weaknesses of random sampling

A

Strength
- generates a representative sample as each member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected
Weakness
- some may refuse to participate which leads to a less representative sample

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26
Q

What is stratified sampling

A

A technique that ensures subgroups of the target population are proportionally represented in a sample

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27
Q

What are strengths and weaknesses of stratified sampling

A

Strengths
- useful if a small subgroup of the target population may be missed by using a random sampling technique and it ensures the sample is completely representative
Weaknesses
- timeconsuming and people may want to refuse leading to a sample error

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28
Q

What is volunteer sampling

A

A technique that asks for participants through an advertisement

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29
Q

What are strengths and weaknesses of volunteer sampling

A

Strengths
- minimal effort needed from researcher
Weaknesses
- less representative as not everyone may see the advert

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30
Q

What is opportunity sampling

A

Recruiting participants who are readily available at the time

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31
Q

What is example of opportunity sampling

A

Going into a public place and asking people to take part

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32
Q

What are strengths and weaknesses of opportunity sampling

A

Strength
- quickest and easiest
Weakness
- leads to biased sample as not everyone of the target population may be around at time of study

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33
Q

What is a research design

A

How participants are allocated to the conditions of a study

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34
Q

What are experimental designs

A

The name given to a research design when used in a experiment

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35
Q

What is a independent measure

A

Participants are split into groups with each group tested in one condition of. Atsudy

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36
Q

What are strengths and weaknesses of independent measures design

A

Strength
- no order effects as participants only take part in one condition of the study
Weakness
- may be individual differences in the groups

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37
Q

What are controlling problems of independent measure designs

A

Participants can be randomly located to each condition

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38
Q

What are strengths and weaknesses of repeated measure

A

Strength
- fewer participants- makes more economical
Weakness
- order effects mean that results may reflect practice or fatigue

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39
Q

What is a controlling problems of repeated measure

A

Order effects need to be controlled using counterbalancing or randomisation

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40
Q

What is repeated measure design

A

The same participants are all used in all conditions of a studt

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41
Q

What are matched pairs

A

Different participants are used in each condition of the study but are matched for likeness on important characteristics

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42
Q

What are strengths and weaknesses of matched pairs

A

Strengths
- fair comparisons can be made between the groups as they are equally matched
Weakness
- time consuming to match participants and not all characteristics can be equally matched

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43
Q

What is reliability

A

Consistency of an outcome

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44
Q

What is validity

A

Whether the test measures what was intented

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45
Q

What is internal validity

A

Whether the measures used in a test genuinely test what they were designed to test

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46
Q

What is external validity

A

Whether the findings are generalisable to the target population

47
Q

What is reliability in sampling methods

A

If a sampling technique leads to a biased sample then the outcome of the research may not be relied upon to occur again, as it could differ if the study was replicated

48
Q

What is reliability in experimental designs

A

In an independent measures design, participants differ between conditions, so there is variability between groups because of participant variables- lead to unreliable findings

49
Q

What is validity in sampling methods

A

If a sample error occurs then the findings of the research are untrue of the target population - effects external validity of the results

50
Q

What is validity in experimental designs

A

The way in which particpants are allocated to the conditions of a study, known as the experimental or research design, can affect validity of the findings

51
Q

What is reliability is qualitative methods

A
  • not easy to replicate
  • limits generalisability of findings
52
Q

What is validity in qualitative methods

A

The researcher can be very involved with the participant which results in researcher bias and investigatior effects and lack validity

53
Q

What is validity in quantitative methods

A

Designed to get her facts and measure behaviour that can be applied to the target population which means that they produce data that is generalisable to otehrs

54
Q

What is BPSCHRE

A

BPS code of human research ethics

55
Q

What’s re the four key principles of BPS code

A
  • respect for individuals
  • scientific integrity. = scientists are to not claim any misleading findings
  • social responsibility = scientists have a collective responsibility to society as well as to the participants
  • maximising benefit and minimising harm
56
Q

What is informed consent and how to deal with it

A

Agreement of participants to take part once they are fully aware of the aims, nature and intended outcome of a study
Given a consent form

57
Q

What is deception and how to deal with it

A

Misleading or lying to participants
Given a debrief (participants are given full disclosure of the study)

58
Q

What is confidentiality and how to deal with it

A

Not disclosing identity of participants
Keep participants records in a safe place and then destroy them after a while

59
Q

What is right to withdraw and how to deal with it

A

Be able to leave the study
Shouldn’t be offered an incentive such as money to continue on

60
Q

What is protection of participants and how to deal with it

A

Safeguarding participants against physical and psychological harm
Should Feel empathy

61
Q

What is a laboratory experiment

A

A procedure staged in a artificial environment

62
Q

What is a field experiment

A

A procedure staged in a naturalistic environment

63
Q

What is a natural experiment

A

A study that examines a naturally occurring variable in a real life situation

64
Q

What are strengths of a laboratory experiment

A
  • most scientific because of high levels of control
  • increases validity
65
Q

What are strengths of a field experiment

A
  • conducted in a natural environment
66
Q

What are strengths of a natural experiment

A
  • the environment in which participants are studied is real and naturalistic
67
Q

What are weaknesses of a laboratory experiment

A
  • conducted in a unnatural environment
  • participants are invited to the experiment so may display demand characteristics
68
Q

What are weaknesses of a field experiment

A
  • not all extraneous variables can be controlled because it’s a real life experiment
69
Q

What are weaknesses of a natural experiment

A
  • extraneous variables are hard to control
70
Q

What is a interview

A

A research method designed to gather self-reported information from participants

71
Q

What is a structured interview

A

A set of pre set questions asked to a respondent

72
Q

What is a semi-structured interview

A

A mix of pre-set questions and unprepared questions asked to a respondent

73
Q

What is a unstructured interview

A

A free flowing conversation around a particular topic with a respondents

74
Q

What are strengths of a interview

A

Structured interviews are easy to replicate as it’s the same questions and gather lots of information

75
Q

What are weaknesses of interviews

A

Semi structured interviews are very time consuming
Unstructured interviews can’t be replicated as they don’t ask the same questions

76
Q

What is a questionnaire

A

A self report technique designed to ask lots of people questions about a topic

77
Q

What is a closed ended question

A

Questions with a fixed response

78
Q

What is a open ended question

A

Questions with no fixed response

79
Q

What are strengths of quetsionairres

A
  • inexpensive way of gathering information from a sample
  • ethical as people can choose to complete them or not
80
Q

What are weaknesses of questionaires

A

Open ended questions are difficult to analyse as they produce qualitative data

81
Q

What is a correlation

A

A way of analysing relationships between variables

82
Q

What is a positive correlation

A

As one co variable increases the other co variable increases the

83
Q

What is a negative correlation

A

As one co variable increases the other co variable decreases

84
Q

What are strengths of a correlation

A
  • cheaper and less time consuming
85
Q

What are weaknesses of a correlation

A

Cause and effect can not be established

86
Q

What is a case study

A

A study of a single person, group or event

87
Q

What is a case study

A

A study of a single person, group or event

88
Q

What are strengths of a case study

A

I- provides in depth information

89
Q

What are weaknesses of a case study

A

Can not be repeated to check reliability of findings as every individual is different
- not applicable to everyone - not generalisable

90
Q

What is observation

A

a research method that involves watching and recording behaviour

91
Q

What is naturalistic observation

A

An observation conducted in an everyday environment where the behaviour studied is normally seen

92
Q

Wha5 is a controlled/structured observation

A

An observation carried out in a laboratory or controlled environment

93
Q

What is a overt observation

A

Participants know they are being observed as a part of the investigation

94
Q

What is a covert observation

A

Participants are unaware that they are being observed

95
Q

What is a participant observation

A

When a observer is involved in the group they are observing

96
Q

What is a non participant observation

A

The observer watches and records people without being actively invokved

97
Q

What’s re strengths of an observation

A
  • reliability of observations can be checked with a inter rather reliablility
98
Q

What are weaknesses of an observation

A
  • lack validity
  • unethical as no contest is given in covert observations
99
Q

What is the median

A

The middle number

100
Q

What is the mode

A

The Most common number in a set of numbers

101
Q

What is primary data

A

Data collected directly for a specific research purpose

102
Q

What is secondary data

A

Data used in a study that has already been collected often for a different purpose

103
Q

What is qualitative data

A

Descriptive data

104
Q

What is quantitative data

A

Data with numbers

105
Q

What are ethical issues

A

Issues that cover working and living with other people

106
Q

How does topic 1 development show ethical issues

A

According to the UNCRC (1989), children have the right to participate in decisions about themselves (participation rights), and it is this right that has led to involving children in research about them. Children also have the right to be protected (protection rights), which can be difficult when it comes to doing research, but they must be given that right. The BPS code to minimise harm and the ethical issue of protecting participants are key in this situation.

107
Q

How does topic 2 memory show ethical issues

A

research can also be carried out within the NHS once the NHS Research Ethics Committee has approved it. While older research, such as Bartlett’s (1932) study and Peterson and Peterson’s (1959) study, did not go through such stringent ethical scrutiny, current research must. However, memory experiments do not seem to affect participants strongly with regard to physical or psychological harm, and with a careful debrief they might be seen as ethical.

108
Q

How does topic 3 psychological problems lead to ethical issues

A

Caspi et al. (2003) looked at stress and depression and linked these to genetic make-up. This can raise ethical issues because people cannot help or change their genetic make-up. Further to this, discovering problems with one’s genes can be very stressful and upsetting

109
Q

How does neuropsychology link to ethical issues

A

issues can arise from the use of case studies where the individual is vulnerable from the brain damage that is being researched. In addition, showing that something results from someone’s nature can bring ethical responsibilities, such as responsibility for our actions Participants must be protected from stress and distress informed consent needs to be obtained. carefully from someone with damage to the brain.

110
Q

How can social influence rise ethical issues

A

Participants must be protected from brutality and from knowing how far they themselves might go. Milgram
1963) got people to give what they thought were dangerous electric shocks to someone else. Beforehand, he asked people whether they thought anyone would Go so far as to seriously shock someone they did notknow. Nobody thought a participant would go to the maximum shock

111
Q

Why are similarities of primary and secondary data

A
  • Studies using primary and/or secondary data must adhere to ethical guidelines.
  • Both primary and secondary data can be either qualitative or quantitative with associated strengths and weaknesses.
  • Both primary and secondary data can yield numbers which can be analysed in a similar way.
112
Q

What are differences of primary and secondary data

A
  • Primary data can be more expensive and time-consuming to gather secondary data are already gathered so are cheaper
  • There might be ethical difficulties in using secondary data from a study that had permission from the participants originally but not for the
    ‘second’ study.
113
Q

What are similarities between qualitative and quantitative data

A
  • Qualitative and quantitative data can come from the same method at the same time, such as using a questionnaire with both open and closed questions. They both answer the same research aim, in this case, and can back one another up to show validity (and reliability).
  • Both qualitative and quantitative data must be gathered with care to avoid bias and misinterpretation.
114
Q

What are differences between qualitative and quantitative data

A
  • Qualitative data tends to come from small samples because of the depth required, whereas quantitative data can have larger samples.
  • Qualitative data tends to come from individuals or small groups and focus on exploring a topic.
  • Quantitative data look for patterns and focus more on differences between individuals rather than sticking to exploration.

psychology (8 decks)

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