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AS Psychology > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Hypothesis

A

A precise, testable statement about the predicted outcome of the investigation.

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2
Q

Types of hypotheses

A

Null - no diff
Non-directional - diff
Directional - specific diff, one higher etc

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3
Q

Independent variable

A

The variable that is manipulated by the researcher. Assumed to have a direct effect on the dependent variable.

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4
Q

Dependent variable

A

The variable that the researcher measures.

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5
Q

Extraneous variables

A

Any variable. which may effect the dependent variable other than the IV.

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6
Q

Aim

A

A statement about the purpose of an investigation

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7
Q

Operationalising variables

A

Making something clear or unambiguous.

Process of devising a clear way of measuring something so that another person knows exactly what you have done.

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8
Q

Experimental designs

A

Independent groups
Repeated measures
Matched pairs

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9
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of independent groups

A
  • many differences between groups - participant variables
  • require more participants
    + eliminates practice/fatigue effects
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10
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of repeated measures

A
  • takes longer for each participant to complete experiment as do it twice
  • two sets of materials
  • order effects or practice effects
    + controls differences between people that could affect dv
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11
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of matched pairs

A
  • impractical to match people at beginning of experiment
    +researcher gains control over extraneous variables
    +no problems with order effects
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12
Q

Counterbalancing

In repeated measures

A

Half the participants do conditions in one particular order and the other half do the conditions in the opposite order - to balance possible order effects.

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13
Q

Types of experiment

A

Laboratory
Field
Natural
Quasi

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14
Q

Quantitative data

A

Information that is gathered in the course of an experiment that is in numerical form

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15
Q

Standard deviation

A

Average amount that the scores differ from the mean.

Less affected by outliers compared to the range. More sensitive version of dispersion compared to range. Harder to calculate.

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16
Q

Measure of central tendency

A

Mean
Median
Mode

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17
Q

Sampling of participants

A

Random
Opportunity
Volunteer

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18
Q

Demand characteristics

A

Screw you effect
Social desirability
Guessing the aim of the study

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19
Q

Reliability

A

Extent to which a measure is consistent.

20
Q

Assessing reliability

A

Inter-observer - the extent to which all observers agree
Test-retest - the extent to which the results can be repeated
Split-half - he extent to which a questionnaire is consistent

21
Q

Improving reliability

A

Standardised instructions
Train observers
Operationalise variables
Controlled conditions

22
Q

Replicability

A

Being able to do a study again with a similar sample, the same methods and procedure, in the same similar setting.

23
Q

Validity

A

Results that are accurate and true. Its to the extent to which something accurately investigates what it intends to

24
Q

Internal validity

A

The extent the study measures what it sets out to measure

25
Q

External validity

A

The extent to which we can generalise our findings accurately

26
Q

Types of External validity

A

Population

Ecological

27
Q

Population validity

A

The extent to which you can accurately generalise findings to other people

28
Q

Ecological validity

A

He extent to which you can accurately generalise findings to real life

29
Q

Types of internal validity

A

Face
Temporal
Concurrent

30
Q

Face validity

A

Extent to which a measure appears on the surface to measure what it is supposed to measure

31
Q

Concurrent validity

A

A way of assessing validity by comparing the results with another relevant measure.

32
Q

Temporal validity

A

The extent to which we can accurately generalise from the results of a study that was conducted several years ago to today.

33
Q

Meta-analysis

A

A way of drawing all the data from studies in a topic area together to make overall conclusions

Uses secondary data

34
Q

Strengths of meta-analysis

A

Large data set - improves power of statistical analysis.
Only best studies included - increases validity.
Differences between findings of different studies can be explored.
Don’t raise ethical problems as no testing.

35
Q

Weaknesses of meta-analysis

A

Bias - what studies to include
Only published studies included - less valid
If studies poor quality - limited value
Only work with quantitative

36
Q

Primary data

A

All data gathered by the researcher deliberately for the purpose of the study

37
Q

Observation

A

Research technique, where behaviour is watcher or recorded either in its natural context or in a laboratory setting

38
Q

Event sampling

A

Where observer counts how often a specific behaviour happens.

39
Q

Observation techniques

A

Naturalistic
Controlled
Covert - participants unaware of observation
Overt
Non-participant - observing not in situation(video link)
Participant

40
Q

Case study

A

In depth studies of an individual or a small group of individuals regarding a topic of interest to the researcher

41
Q

Case study features

A 
Interviews with individual
Interviews with family
Observations
Medical notes
Psychological tests
42
Q

Strengths of case studies

A

Vital as rare
Rich in detail
Provide information that could change theories

43
Q

Weaknesses of case studies

A

Difficult to generalise
Single psychologist - bias
Ethical - intrusive?
As so unique its difficult/impossible to replicate (can’t determine reliability)

44
Q

Qualitative data

A

Information collected in non-numerical form.

Descriptions of behaviour, quotes from interview etc

45
Q

Strengths of observational research

A

Obtain true and accurate picture of natural behaviour. Usually high external validity.

May be only practical way of collecting data

46
Q

Weaknesses of observational research

A

Sometimes difficult to operationalise.
Can be time consuming.
Sometimes ethical issues.
Observer bias may influence what is recorded - lower validity.
Naturalistic observations are very hard to replicate as little control over variables -impossible to recreate conditions.

47
Q

Research methods

A

Experimental
Correlational
Case study
Meta-analysis

AS Psychology (6 decks)

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