Research Methods 5-7

Question 1

What is meant by the aim?

Answer 1

An aim is a precise statement about the purpose of the study and what it intends to find out.
It should include what is being studied and what the study is trying to achieve.

Question 2

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 2

A specific, testable statement about the expected outcome of a study.

• it should be operationalised.
• there are always two hypotheses in a study. (Null/alternative)

Question 3

What is correlation and causation?

Answer 3

Correlation- the researcher predicts a relationship between two variables.
Causation- the researcher predicts a difference in the dependent variable because of the manipulation of an independent variable.

Question 4

What is a null hypothesis?

Answer 4

States that the IV will have no effect on the DV.

Question 5

Explain alternative hypothesis.

Answer 5

Predicts that the IV will have an effect on the DV.
Can fall into one of two categories:
1. Non-directional hypothesis: does not state the direction of the predicted differences between conditions.
2. Directional hypothesis: does state the direction of the predicted difference.

Question 6

How do you decide whether to use directional or non directional hypothesis?

Answer 6

Based on whether there is previous research in the field.
If there is= directional.
If not = non-directional.
- this is because previous research enables us to predict the likely direction of the results.

Question 7

What to remember when writing a hypothesis?

Answer 7

• is it a test of causation or correlation?
• Null, non-directional or directional hypothesis?
• is it in the correct tense?
• does it include all variables?
• have all variables been operationalised?

Question 8

What is a pilot study and how are they useful?

Answer 8

A small-scale investigation conducted before research.

• help identify whether there needs to be any modifications to the design of the planned study.
• helps determine if it is worthwhile to conduct a full-scale study.

Question 9

What is random sampling? +, -?

Answer 9

When every member of the target population has the same chance of being selected. Easiest way to do this is to place all names in a hat and pick.
+ more representative sample so results can be generalised to target population.
- not all members selected will be available/willing to take part, making sample unrepresentative.
- difficult to get full details of a target population.

Question 10

What is systematic sampling? +, -?

Answer 10

pps are selected by taking every nth person from a list.
+ more simple than random sampling.
-

Question 11

Stratified sampling? +, -?

Answer 11

Involves classifying the target pop into categories and then randomly choosing a sample that consists of pps from each category in the same proportion as they appear un the target pop.
+ representative, all groups within target pop included.
-time consuming, all categories have to be identified and calculated. Must have details about pps.

Question 12

Opportunity sampling? +, -?

Answer 12

Involves selecting pps who are readily available and willing to take part.
+easy and most practical method of ensuring large samples.
- sample likely to not be representative.
- people may feel obliged to take part when they don’t want to = unethical.

Question 13

Volunteer sampling? +, -?

Answer 13

Involves people self-selecting to participate in a study. The researcher will advertise for people to take part.
+ useful way to find specific people to take part in particular areas or research.
- volunteer bias: people who are confident/curious tend to volunteer more for research so sample if likely to be unrepresentative.

Question 14

What is experimental design?

Answer 14

• the experimental design of a study is how the pps are assigned to different conditions. Three main types of experimental designs:
  1. Independent groups.
  2. Repeated measures.
  3. Matched pairs.

Question 15

Explain independent groups.

Answer 15

• different pps are used in each of the conditions, therefore each group of pps is independent from one another.
• pps usually randomly allocated to each condition to balance out pps variables.

Question 16

Advantages of independent groups?

Answer 16

+ order effects wont occur. Pps may also get bored/fatigued when asked to take part in multiple conditions.
+ reduced chance of demand characteristics. Only do one condition so less likely to guess purpose.
+ saves time as both groups tested at the same time.

Question 17

What are order effects?

Answer 17

When the sequence in which pps take part in conditions influences their performance or behaviour.

Question 18

Disadvantages of independent groups?

Answer 18

• more pps needed.
• possibility that results between the twi conditions are due to participant variables rather than manipulation of the independent variable.

Question 19

Explain repeated measures and advantages.

Answer 19

Each pp is tested un all conditions of the experiment.
+ no participant variables between conditions (same people).
+ half as many pps needed compared to independent groups.

Question 20

Disadvantages of repeated measures?

Answer 20

• order effects may affect the results. Counterbalancing can be used to control the impact of order effects (practice/fatigue) and allows order effects to be distributed evenly across both conditions.
• more risk of demand characteristics.
• time consuming, especially if a time gap between conditions is required.

Question 21

What is counterbalancing?

Answer 21

A way of avoiding/minimising order effects.

• it’s when half the pps do condition A first then condition B second and the other half to the opposite.
• it doesn’t eliminate order effects as there is still two separate tasks being completed by the same person.

Question 22

Explain matched pairs.

Answer 22

• the different pps are used in all of the conditions.
• the pps in the two groups are matched on characteristics important for the study (age,gender, education).
• identical twins are often used in matched pairs designs.

Question 23

Advantages of matched pairs?

Answer 23

• reduced risk of order effects.
• reduced risk of demand characteristics.
• pps variables unlikely as groups are closely matched.

Question 24

Disadvantages of matched pairs?

Answer 24

• twice the amount of pps required.
• matching process is very difficult: even closely matched individuals have different motivation and fatigue levels at any given time.
• time consuming.