Research Methods Flashcards
Research method
A particular way of conducting an investigation to collect data
Operational hypothesis
- IV and DV
- direction of relationship
- population of interest
- how variables will be measured
Convenience sampling
Participants are chosen depending on their availability
Random sampling
Ensuring that all participants have an equal chance of being selected
Stratified sampling
Attempts to prevent bias by making the sample more representative of the population
Random-stratified sampling
Involves the division of population into smaller groups known as strata
Correlation
- tells us if a relationship exists or not
- the direction of the relationship can be positive or negative
Case studies
An in depth study of the behaviour of one person of a small group
Correlation coefficient
- and + symbols indicate whether the relationship is positive or negative
Inferential statistics
Provides information as to whether the results are meaningful and whether they support the hypothesis
Experimenter effect
expectations may affect results through bias
Participant sources of error
- Hawthorne effect
- knowing that they are a part of a study can lead participants to change their behaviour
Experimenter sources of error
- experiments actions affect how the participants respond
- bias can occur when the person measuring the DV knows which group the participant is in
Validity
The study has produced results that accurately measure the behaviour or event that it claims to have measured
Reliability
Refers to the consistency, dependability and stability of the results
