Research Methods Flashcards
Hypothesis
A precise, testable statement about the predicted outcome of the investigation.
Types of hypotheses
Null - no diff
Non-directional - diff
Directional - specific diff, one higher etc
Independent variable
The variable that is manipulated by the researcher. Assumed to have a direct effect on the dependent variable.
Dependent variable
The variable that the researcher measures.
Extraneous variables
Any variable. which may effect the dependent variable other than the IV.
Aim
A statement about the purpose of an investigation
Operationalising variables
Making something clear or unambiguous.
Process of devising a clear way of measuring something so that another person knows exactly what you have done.
Experimental designs
Independent groups
Repeated measures
Matched pairs
Strengths and weaknesses of independent groups
- many differences between groups - participant variables
- require more participants
+ eliminates practice/fatigue effects
Strengths and weaknesses of repeated measures
- 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
Strengths and weaknesses of matched pairs
- impractical to match people at beginning of experiment
+researcher gains control over extraneous variables
+no problems with order effects
Counterbalancing
In repeated measures
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.
Types of experiment
Laboratory
Field
Natural
Quasi
Quantitative data
Information that is gathered in the course of an experiment that is in numerical form
Standard deviation
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.
Measure of central tendency
Mean
Median
Mode
Sampling of participants
Random
Opportunity
Volunteer
Demand characteristics
Screw you effect
Social desirability
Guessing the aim of the study
Reliability
Extent to which a measure is consistent.
Assessing reliability
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
Improving reliability
Standardised instructions
Train observers
Operationalise variables
Controlled conditions
Replicability
Being able to do a study again with a similar sample, the same methods and procedure, in the same similar setting.
Validity
Results that are accurate and true. Its to the extent to which something accurately investigates what it intends to
Internal validity
The extent the study measures what it sets out to measure
External validity
The extent to which we can generalise our findings accurately
Types of External validity
Population
Ecological
Population validity
The extent to which you can accurately generalise findings to other people
Ecological validity
He extent to which you can accurately generalise findings to real life
Types of internal validity
Face
Temporal
Concurrent
Face validity
Extent to which a measure appears on the surface to measure what it is supposed to measure
Concurrent validity
A way of assessing validity by comparing the results with another relevant measure.
Temporal validity
The extent to which we can accurately generalise from the results of a study that was conducted several years ago to today.
Meta-analysis
A way of drawing all the data from studies in a topic area together to make overall conclusions
Uses secondary data
Strengths of meta-analysis
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.
Weaknesses of meta-analysis
Bias - what studies to include
Only published studies included - less valid
If studies poor quality - limited value
Only work with quantitative
Primary data
All data gathered by the researcher deliberately for the purpose of the study
Observation
Research technique, where behaviour is watcher or recorded either in its natural context or in a laboratory setting
Event sampling
Where observer counts how often a specific behaviour happens.
Observation techniques
Naturalistic
Controlled
Covert - participants unaware of observation
Overt
Non-participant - observing not in situation(video link)
Participant
Case study
In depth studies of an individual or a small group of individuals regarding a topic of interest to the researcher
Case study features
Interviews with individual Interviews with family Observations Medical notes Psychological tests
Strengths of case studies
Vital as rare
Rich in detail
Provide information that could change theories
Weaknesses of case studies
Difficult to generalise
Single psychologist - bias
Ethical - intrusive?
As so unique its difficult/impossible to replicate (can’t determine reliability)
Qualitative data
Information collected in non-numerical form.
Descriptions of behaviour, quotes from interview etc
Strengths of observational research
Obtain true and accurate picture of natural behaviour. Usually high external validity.
May be only practical way of collecting data
Weaknesses of observational research
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.
Research methods
Experimental
Correlational
Case study
Meta-analysis
