research methods Flashcards
pseudoscience
Ideas formed without empirical evidence or the use of scientific
methods or principles.
independent variable
The variable for which quantities are manipulated by the researcher, and is assumed to have a direct effect on the
dependent variable.
dependent variable
The variable the researcher measures for changes it may experience due to the effect of the independent variable.
population
The group of people that are the focus
of the research to which findings from
the sample can be generalised to.
sample
A subset of the research population who participate in a study
scientific
Ideas and theories generated through
observation and experiment.
variable
A condition or component of an experiment that can be measured
or manipulated.
experiment
When a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables is measured in a
controlled environment.
controlled experiment
A type of investigation that measures the causal relationship between one
or more independent variables and a dependent variable, whilst controlling
for all other variables.
extraneous variable
Any variable that is not the independent variable, but may cause
an unwanted effect on the dependent variable.
controlled variable
Variables other than the IV that a researcher holds constant (controls) in an investigation, to ensure that changes in the DV are solely due to
changes in the IV.
control group
The group of participants who receive no experimental treatment or
intervention to serve as a baseline for comparison.
experimental group
The group of participants exposed to a manipulated independent variable.
between-subjects design
An experimental design in which individuals are divided into different
groups and complete only one experimental condition.
within-subjects design
An experimental design in which participants complete every
experimental condition.
mixed-method design
An experimental design which combines different elements of
within-subjects and between-subjects
designs.
correlational study
A study in which researchers observe and measure the relationship between
two or more variables without any active control or manipulation.
generalise
Using a sample’s results to make conclusions about the wider research
population.
generalisability
The ability for a sample’s results to be used to make conclusions about the wider research population.
convenience sampling
Sampling readily available members of
the population.
random sampling
Any sampling technique that uses
a procedure to ensure every member of the population has the same chance of being selected.
stratified sampling
A sampling technique that involves selecting people from the population in a way that ensures that its strata (subgroups) are proportionally
represented in the sample.
random allocation
Every member of the sample has an equal chance of being
in the control or experimental group.
participant-related variables
Characteristics of a study’s participants
that may affect its results.
non-standardised instructions and procedures
When directions and procedures differ
across participants or experimental
conditions.
order effects
The tendency for the order in which
participants complete experimental
conditions to have an effect on their
behaviour.
placebo effect
When participants respond to an inactive substance or treatment as a result of their expectations or beliefs.
experimenter effects
When expectations of the researcher
affects the results of an experiment.
confounding variable
A variable other than the IV that has
a systematic effect on the DV.
systematic effect
A reliable and predictable effect.
counterbalancing
A method to reduce order effects that
involves ordering experimental conditions in a certain way.
single-blind procedure
A procedure in which participants are unaware of the experimental condition
they have been allocated to.
double-blind procedure
A procedure in which both participants and the experimenter are unaware
of the experimental conditions participants have been allocated to.
systematic error
Errors in data that differ from the true value by a consistent amount.
random error
Errors in data that are unsystematic and occur due to chance.
accuracy
How close a measurement is to the true value of the quantity being measured.
precision
How closely a set of measurement values agree with each other.
validity
The extent to which a tool measures what it is supposed to measure.
internal validity
The extent to which a tool measures what it claims to.
external validity
The extent to which the results of a study can be applied to similar people in different settings.
repeatability
The extent to which successive measurements or studies produce the
same results when carried out under the same conditions.
reproducibility
The extent to which successive measurements or studies produce the
same results when carried out under the different conditions.
generalisation
A statement that relates the findings
of an investigation to the wider population.
ethical concept
The broad, moral guiding principles that people should consider when conducting research, practice, or examining a psychological issue.
ethical guidelines
The procedures and principles used to ensure that participants are safe and respected.
voluntary participation (EC)
participants must willingly and freely sign up to be involved in research.
informed consent (EC)
participants must understand the nature and purpose of the study, including any risks.
withdrawal rights (EC)
participants may leave the study at any time, including removing already obtained results.
deception (EC)
participants must know the purpose
of the study, unless it will influence their behaviour in the research. If deception is used, it must be
addressed during debriefing.
debriefing (EC)
participants are informed of the aims,
results and conclusions of the study and are provided with psychological support as needed
confidentiality (EC)
participants’ privacy should be
protected, and no identifying information should be included in the research.
very intelligent women don’t drink coffee (VIWDDC)
ethical concepts
beneficence (EG)
is the consideration of the benefits
or gains from research in relation to the risks.
non-maleficence (EG)
is the idea that any potential harm
should be avoided and minimised
as much as possible.
justice (EG)
is the distribution of fair access to the benefits of research to everyone, ensuring that there is no burden
on one group, and ensuring that any opposing claims are considered.
integrity (EG)
is the commitment to search for knowledge, and then honestly report
information and findings.
respect (EG)
is the belief that everyone has value
in regards to their welfare and beliefs, and has a right to make their own decisions.
