Research Methods

Question 0

Non directional hypothesis

Answer 0

One variable is not going to be better or worse than the other just different

Question 1

What is a directional hypothesis?

Answer 1

Stating that one variable is going to be better than another

Question 2

Operationalised

Answer 2

Dependant and independent variable specific enough to be tested

Question 3

What is external validity?

Answer 3

Whether the results can be compared to other situations

Question 4

Internal validity

Answer 4

Correct equipment ha been used to carry out the experiment accurately

Question 5

What are demand characteristics?

Answer 5

Something that influences the participants perception of what is expected of them

Question 6

What are investigator effects

Answer 6

When the investigator unconsciously affects get results and makes them invalid

Question 7

What is an experimental group?

Answer 7

The manipulation of the independent variable

Question 8

What is the control group

Answer 8

Where all the variables are kept constant besides those being systematically varied

Question 9

What is presumptive consent?

Answer 9

Gaining information (consent) off other people to whether they would be happy with the terms of the study. If so, we can assume individuals would also be happy with it

Question 10

What 3 different types of experimental designs are there?

Answer 10

Independent groups, repeated measures and matched pairs

Question 11

What is independent groups

Answer 11

Where participants are split into groups and then each group is tested on a different variable

Question 12

What is repeated measures

Answer 12

Where each participant is tested on the same thing and they all take part in every condition

Question 13

What is matched pairs

Answer 13

Where there are two separate groups and they are paired by similar characteristics and then split up so each group is equal

Question 14

What are the strengths of independent groups

Answer 14

It reduces the boredom of the participants because they only have to do one test

Question 15

What are the strengths of mixed pairs

Answer 15

There is a mixed ability in each group

Question 16

What are the weakness’ of independent groups

Answer 16

There is no control of participants different abilities

You need twice as many participants to be able to do both tests

Question 17

What are the weakness’ of repeated measures

Answer 17

The second time participants do the study they might realise the aim of the study and so act differently

Question 18

What are the weakness’ of matched pairs experimental design

Answer 18

It’s very time consuming to be able to match everyone accurately
A large group of people are needed so that suitable pairs can be found
May not control all variables

Question 19

What 3 types of experiments can be conducted

Answer 19

Lab, field, natural

Question 20

What is a lab experiment

Answer 20

A test done in a lab so the variables can be carefully controlled
It is done to investigate causal relationships between two variables

Question 21

What are the strengths of a lab experiment

Answer 21

Because it is well controlled the extraneous variables are minimised
And the experiment can be easily repeated

Question 22

What are the weakness’ of a lab experiment

Answer 22

Participants know they are being studied so their behaviour will affect the results
Low in mundane realism (because the situation is not very normal/life like)

Question 23

What is a field experiment?

Answer 23

To investigate casual relationships in a more natural environment

Question 24

What are the strengths of a field experiment

Answer 24

Higher mundane realism compared to lab

Participants are not aware of the study so their behaviour is not effected

Question 25

What are the weakness’ of a field experiment

Answer 25

Experiment is harder to be repeated, extraneous variables are harder to control

Question 26

What is a natural experiment

Answer 26

The environment is also natural, like field.
Instead of deliberately manipulating the IV the experimenter makes use of an independent variable that would naturally vary anyway

Question 27

What are the strengths of a natural experiment

Answer 27

It is high in ecological validity because it is a study of real problems

Question 28

What are the weakness’ of a natural experiment

Answer 28

Not ‘true experiments’ because no one has deliberately changed the IV to observe it’s effect on the DV
Other aspects to consider