Research methods Flashcards
What is meant by falsifiability?
The possibility that a statement or hypothesis can be proved wrong.
E.g. finding evidence that the theory is wrong.
Checking the theory is specific.
Proving the theory is wrong.
What is meant by objectivity?
Measurement of data is not affected by the expectations of the researcher.
Data collected in a way which avoids bias.
What is meant by replicability?
Recording procedures carefully in order for another researcher to repeat them and verify the original results.
This helps test whether a positive result was fraud or by chance. Multiple scientists getting the same results builds confidence.
What is meant by Empirical Methods?
Methods of gaining knowledge, relying on direct observation or testing. Data collected from direct experience as all factual knowledge comes from experience.
E.g. Observations, experiments, case studies and self reports.
What is a paradigm?
A shared set of assumptions about a subject or matter of a discipline and the methods appropriate to its study.
Who researched paradigms, and what was the research?
Kuhn, 1962. He argues that psychology is not a mature science, because it lacks a single dominant paradigm (set of assumptions). Meaning there are often competing theoretical approaches.
What is a paradigm shift?
When scientists question the accepted paradigm if there is too much contradictory evidence too ignore, and create/try find their own theory. Scientists are asked to investigate a paradigm.
What is “induction” as a theory construction?
Observations - testable hypothesis -conduct a study to test the hypothesis - draw conclusions - propose theory.
What is “deduction” as a theory construction?
Observations - propose theory - testable hypothesis - conduct a study to test hypothesis - draw conclusions.
What are the 4 experimental methods of conducting research?
Laboratory, Field, Natural and Quasi.
What is a laboratory experiment?
An experiment which is carried out in a controlled environment. Variables can be carefully manipulated (means that in a laboratory experiment, the researcher has control over the factors that are being tested. Specifically, the researcher can change (or “manipulate”) one or more independent variables (IVs) to see how these changes affect the dependent variable (DV), which is what is being measured.
Participants are aware they are taking part.
What is a field experiment ?
An experiment in a natural environment, the IV is deliberately manipulated by the researcher and they measure the DV.
Participants are not aware they are in an experiment.
Give two advantages of laboratory experiments?
Easy to replicate - study is easy to carry out in exact way so results can be tested/compared.
High internal validity - experiment has high control over research variables so we can be certain any change in the DV is due to the IV.
Give two disadvantages of laboratory experiments?
Low ecological validity - results cannot be generalised beyond research setting. Participants may not behave naturally.
Give two advantages of field experiments?
High ecological validity - results can be generalised, participants more natural.
Lack of demand characteristics, experiment is real life so participants wont act different.
What is a natural experiment?
An experiment that studies naturally occurring events without direct manipulation by the researcher. The IV occurs naturally.
Natural experiments are carried out in natural conditions, however the research is unable to manipulate the IV and therefore examines the effect of a naturally occurring variable on the dependent variable (DV).
What is a quasi experiment?
An experiment where the researcher cannot randomly assign participants to different groups. It is based on differences between people like age, gender or a disorder.
For example do females drive faster than males.
Give two advantages of a natural experiment?
High ecological validity - allows psychologist to study effect of real problems such as effects on mental health.
Reduced demand characteristics:
Participants are less likely to alter their behaviour due to awareness of being studied as the situation is naturally occurring.
Give two disadvantages of natural experiments?
Lack of control over variables, cannot manipulate IV to cause an effect on the DV.
Higher chance of extraneous variables due to lack of control.
Give two advantages of a quasi experiment?
Allows comparisons between types of people, ideal for specific studies.
High external validity - as often study real life situations, things occur naturally therefore results can be generalised.
Give a disadvantages of a quasi experiment and explain it?
Lack of random allocation.
- which means researchers cannot definitively establish a causal relationship between variables due to the potential influence of confounding variables, significantly impacting the internal validity of the study; essentially, it’s difficult to say whether the observed effects are truly caused by the manipulated variable or other factors.
Which is the variable that is controlled/manipulated?
The independent variable (IV)
Which is the variable that is measured to see if it has been affected?
The dependant variable (DV)
What is the Iv and DV in a study testing whether “Older people make slower learners”?
IV = Age of participants.
DV = Amount of number lists learnt in 20 mins.
