Research Methods Flashcards
Research methods and basic vocab
Aim
The aim is what the researcher is interested in investigating in their study, it is the purpose of the research.
Hypotheses
A hypotheses identifies the cause-and-effect relationship between two variables.
Variables
Is something that can change ( vary )
Types of variables : independent, dependent , controlled, extraneous, confounding
Independent Variable
Purposely modified by the research to test the change causes change in DV
Dependent Variable
Affected by the IV - depends on its measurable
Controlled Variable
Any variables that’s held consent in a research study. It is not the variable of interest, but it’s controlled because it cold influence the outcomes ( DV )
Operational DV
To operationalize the independent and dependent variables, all this means explicitly stating HOW they are going to be measured ( DV ) and manipulated ( IV) .
Population
The group of research interest
Sample
The group used in the study. Ensure the sample chosen closely represents its population of research interest.
Convenance sampling
involves using a sample based on their availability. also known as opportunity sampling.
Random Sampling
selecting participants by chance. Every member of the population has equal chance of being selected. Eg. choosing names out of a net, using random software.
Stratified Sampling
involves diving the population into sub - group (strata )
steps:
1) divide population into Strat
2) calauctate percentage of each group
e.g total population =
3) take a sample pf population size from each group
4) sample x percentage of each sub - group
Extraneous Variables
Any variables that is not the independent variable but may cause an unwanted effect on the dependent variable.
Confounding Variables
A variable that has directly and systematically affected the dependent variable. apart from the independent variable
May have been an extraneous variable that has not been controlled for, or a variable that simplify cannot be controlled for.
