Research Methods Flashcards
Variable
A factor or thing that can change
Hypothesis
A testable statement about the relationship between two variables. The IV and DV
Independent variable
The variable manipulated by the researcher to look for an effect on the DV. It created the two conditions of the study
Dependant variable
The variable that the researcher measures to see if the IV has affected it
Experiment
The method of research in which all variables other than that independent variable and dependent variable are controlled. This allows the researcher to identify a cause and effect relationship between the IV and DV
Condition
An experiment is usually organised so there are two trials, after which the performances of the participants are compared. These are the conditions of the experiment
Participant
A person who is selected to take part in a study
Order effect
This occurs when a participant’s performance in the second condition of an experiment is affected because they have already done the first condition. They may do better because of practice or worse because of tiredness. This may happen in a repeated measures design
Participant variables
The differences between the people who take part in the study. These may affect the results of an experiment that uses an independent groups design
Independent groups
The available people for the experiment are divided into two groups. One group takes part in one of the conditions of the experiment and the other group takes part in the remaining condition of the experiment
Repeated measures
There is one group of participants. The participants take part in both conditions of the experiment
Matched pairs
The available people for the experiment are tested before taking part and are matched for qualities into pairs. They could be identified as pair Aa, pair Bb and so on. One member of the pair takes part in one condition of the study. The other member takes part in the other condition. Identical twins are often considered to be perfect matched pairs in psychological research
Standardised procedures
A set order of carrying out a study that is applied to all participants when necessary
Random allocation
A procedure for putting participants into conditions by chance
Counterbalancing
A procedure for evening out the order in which participants complete both conditions of an experiment
Extraneous variable
A variable that is not the IV but might affect the DV if it is not controlled
Control
Making sure procedures are the same when necessary. Not controlling procedures leads to the possibility of extraneous variables occurring and confounding the results
Randomisation
Using chance to produce an order for a procedure
Ecological validity
The results of the investigation can be said to apply to real life behaviour. They are an accurate account of behaviour in the real world
Objectivity
Not affected by personal biases
Sample
The small group of people who represent the target population and who are studied
Target population
The large group of people the researcher wishes to study
Representative
The sample of participants is made up of people that the same characteristics and abilities as the target population
Generalised
The results from the sample can be said to apply to the target population
Random sample
Every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample
Opportunity sample
People who are members of the target population and are available and willing to take part
Systematic sample
Every ‘nth’ member of the target population is selected for the sample
Stratified sample
To obtain this type of sample, the different subgroups in the target population are identified; then people are randomly selected from the subgroups in proportion to their numbers in the target population
Raw data
The scores collected in a study that have not been analysed or summarised
Anomalous result
An extremely high or low result that does not match the other results in a set of scores
Ethical issues
Points of concern about what is morally right
British Psychological Society (BPS) Guidelines
The ethical guidelines produced by the bps in its code of ethics and conduct 2006 that govern the work of all practising and research psychologist and also of psychology students in the UK
