Research Methods Flashcards
Hypothesis
a statement about the expected outcome
Variable
a measurable characteristic that can differ from one observation to another
Experimental / Alternative Hypothesis
Predicts that a difference or an expected relationship between two variables will be revealed
Null Hypothesis
States there will be no relationship between the two variables
Directional Hypothesis
States the direction of the results, also known as the one tailed hypothesis because predicts the nature of the outcome
Non- Directional Hypothesis
Direction of results is not predicted, two tailed hypothesis - direction of results not specified could go in either direction
Correlational Study
Investigation into the possible association of the two variables
Operationalising
Process of devising a way of measuring a variable
Internal Validity
If the outcome is the result of the variables that are manipulated then it is internally valid
External Validity
The extent to which results can be generalised to other settings
Independent Variable
The variable that the researcher manipulates, assumed to have a direct effect upon the DV
Dependent Variable
The variable that is measured and is affected by IV
Extraneous Variable
Any other variable other than IV that can effect the DV
Demand Characteristics
Cues in the environment that help the participant work out what the hypothesis is and this will effect the way they act
Investigator effects
Where the investigator themselves influences the participant into acting a certain way
Single Blind Technique
Where parts. do not know the hypothesis and which condition they are in
Double Blind Technique
Where neither the parts. or researcher knows the hypothesis or the condition they are in – use a research assistant to do this
Control Group
The group who do not receive the experiment conditions
Lab experiment
Carried out in a controlled environment, IV is manipulated
Field Experiment
In a natural environment, IV is manipulated
Natural Experiment
Researcher takes advantage of naturally occurring difference
Ecological Validity
Whether the settings, method and materials represent real life situations
Experimental Design
The method of control imposed by the researcher to control participant variables
Order / Carry Over Effects
If participant complete one condition first then do the second they may kinda know what’s expected of them
Counterbalancing
Half parts. do condition A then B other half do condition B then A —– ABBA
Observer Bias
Observer makes their own interpretation of the behaviour observed
Participant Observation
Researcher has to join the group or take part in the situation
Non-Participant Observation
Observations made from a distance or made from outside of the group
Undisclosed / Covert observation
parts. not aware they are being observed
Disclosed / Overt observation
parts. aware they are being observed
Structured observation
before research, researcher determines what behaviours are to be observed
Unstructured Observstion
Direct observtion to record behaviours as they happen
Observation schedule
form or a grid that needs to be completed
Inter - observer reliability
extent to which a data collection tool used by a group produces similar data
Social desirability
tendency of humans to present themselves in the best light possible
Idiographic
relating to individual cases
Qualitative data
analysis that focuses more on words
Quantitative data
analysis that uses numbers
Mean
average
Median
the middle number
Mode
the most common number
Content Analysis
analytical approach based on coding and quantifaction of various elements in any text
Coding
procedure employed to transform raw data into format that can be used for data analysis purposes
