Research Methods Flashcards
Standardised Procedure
A procedure that is the same for all participants except where variation is introduced to test a hypothesis
Theory
A systematic way of organising and explaining observations, which includes a set of propositions, or statements, about the relationships among various phenomena
Generalisability
A sample that is representative of the population
Objective Measurement
Measures that are reliable (that produce consistent results)
Hypothesis
A tentative belief about the relationship between two or more variables. It predicts the findings that should be observed if the theory is correct
Variable
Any phenomenon that can differ, or vary, from one situation to another or from one person to another
Continuous Variable
A variable that can be placed on a continuum, from none or little to much
Categorical Variable
A variable comprised of groupings, classifications or categories
Population
A group of people or animals of interest to a researcher from which a sample is drawn
Sample
A subgroup of a population that is likely to be representative of the population as a whole
Sampling Bias
Occurs when the sample is not representative of the population as a whole
Valid
A study must meet the criteria of employing methods that convincingly test the hypothesis (internal validity) and the findings must be generalisable to situations outside the laboratory (external validity)
Measure
A concrete way of assessing a variable
Reliability
A measure’s ability to produce consistent results
Retest Reliability
The tendency of a test to yield relatively similar scores for the same individual over time
Internal Consistency
Where several ways of asking the same question yield similar results
Interrater Reliability
A measure of the similarity with which different raters apply a measure
Validity
The measure’s ability to assess the variable it is supposed to assess.
Validation
Demonstrating the validity of a measure by showing that it consistently relates to other phenomena in theoretically expected ways
Error
Discrepancy between the phenomenon as measured and the phenomenon as it really is
Relational Theories
Theories that propose that the need for relatedness is a central motive in humans and that people will distort their personalities to maintain ties to important people in their lives
Scientific Approach
This approach to psychology involves using empirical methodologies such as observation and experimentation to gain knowledge
Description
Summarising the data your research has produced in a way that makes the events and their relationships easily understandable
Prediction
Using the outcome of your research to be able to identify what would happen in the future, given the same circumstances
Understanding
Identifying the causes of a phenomenon that led to the results found in your research
Experimental Research
Investigators manipulate some aspect of a situation and examine the impact on the way the participants respond
Independent Variables
The variables an experimenter manipulates, or the effects of which the experimenter assesses
Dependant Variables
The responses the experimenter measures to see if the experimental manipulation has had an effect
Conditions
Values or versions of the independent variable that vary across experimental groups
Operationalising
Turning an abstract concept into a concrete variable defined by some set of actions, or operations
Control Group
Group of participants in an experiment who receive a relatively neutral condition to serve as a comparison group
Demand Characteristics
The way participants’ perceptions of the researcher’s goals influence their responses
Blind Studies
Participants (and often the researchers themselves) are kept unaware of, or blind to, important aspects of the research
Placebo Effect
A phenomenon in which an experimental intervention produces an effect because participants believe it will produce an effect
Single Blind Study
A study in which participants are kept blind to crucial information, notably about the experimental condition in which they have been placed
Double-Blind Study
Both the participants and the researchers who interact with them are blind to who has been exposed to which experimental condition until the research is completed
Confounding Variables
Variables that can produce effects that are confused, or confounded, with the effects of the independent variable
Descriptive Statistics
Numbers that describe the data from a study in a way that summarises their essential features
Inferential Statistics
Procedures for assessing whether the results obtained with a sample are likely to reflect characteristics of the population as a whole
Quasi-experimental Designs
Research designs that employ the logic of experimental methods but lack absolute control over variables
Descriptive Research
Research methods that cannot unambiguously demonstrate cause and effect but attempt to describe phenomena as they exist. Methods include case studies, naturalistic observation, survey research and correlational methods
Case Study
An in-depth observation of one person or a small group of individuals
Researcher Bias
Systematic errors in measurement due to investigators seeing what they expect to see
Naturalistic Observation
The in-depth observation of a phenomenon in its natural setting
Survey Research
Involves asking questions of a large sample of people, usually about their attitudes or behaviours
Random Sample
A sample selected from the general population in a relatively arbitrary way that does not introduce any systematic bias
Stratified Random Sample
Specifies the percentage of people to be drawn from each population category (age, race etc.) and then randomly selects participants from within each category
Correlational Research
Attempts to determine the degree to which two or more variables are related, so that knowing the value (or score) on one variable allows prediction of the other
Correlation Coefficient
An index of the extent to which two variables are related
Positive Correlation
The higher individuals measure on one variable, the higher they are likely to measure on the other
Negative Correlation
The higher participants measure on one variable, the lower they will measure on the other
Critical Thinking
Carefully examining and analysing information to judge its value as well as considering other views and explanations before accepting the truthfulness of that information. It involves assessing both strengths and weaknesses and looking for the evidence that supports arguments put forth by other researchers, not accepting them on face value
Scepticism
Always questioning assumptions or conclusions and analysing whether the evidence presented supports the results
Objectivity
Taking an impartial and disinterested approach, judge what you are considering based on the logic and evidence presented, not on subjective beliefs or assumptions
Open-mindedness
Consider all sides of an issue, never ignore potential explanations or interpretations, be flexible and willing to accept evidence that might be contrary to your personal experience
Critical Thinking
Carefully examining and analysing information to judge its value as well as considering other views and explanations before accepting the truthfulness of that information. It involves assessing both strengths and weaknesses and looking for the evidence that supports arguments put forth by other researchers, not accepting them on face value
Scepticism
Always questioning assumptions or conclusions and analysing whether the evidence presented supports the results
Objectivity
Taking an impartial and disinterested approach, judge what you are considering based on the logic and evidence presented, not on subjective beliefs or assumptions
Open-mindedness
Consider all sides of an issue, never ignore potential explanations or interpretations, be flexible and willing to accept evidence that might be contrary to your personal experience
