Research Methods Flashcards
Correlation coefficient
The extent to which two variables share a relationship
Counterbalancing
In repeated measures designs, half the participants do conditions in one particular order and the other half do the conditions in the opposite order to prevent order effects
Cover observation
An observation where participants don’t know they’re being observed
Demand characteristics
A problem with studies where participants change their behaviour
Dependent variable
The variable which you measure
Directional hypothesis (one tailed)
A prediction which states the direction of the difference between variables
Ecological validly
The extent to which the results of a test can be generalised to the real world
Event sampling
Consists of the researcher recording an event every time it happens
External validity
The extent to which the results of a test can be generalised either to other people or to real life
Extraneous variable
Things you try to control to make the experiment fair
Field study
A study which takes place in a natural setting with manipulation of the IV
Independent groups design
A design where different participants complete different conditions of the IV
Internal validity
The extent to which the test is really measuring what it sets out to measure
Inter rarer reliability
Consistency of results between rafters or observers
Lab study
A study that has control over the IV in an artificial surrounding
Matched pairs design
A design where different participants are matched so they were similar. They complete different independent variables
Mean
Measure of central tendency
Add u all scores and divide by how many there are
Median
Measure of central tendency
Shows the middle value
Meta analysis
A way of drawing all the data from studies in a topic area together to make overall conclusions
Mode
Measure of central tendency
Shows the most frequent value
Nominal data
Numerical data which can be put into categories
Non directional hypothesis (two tailed)
A prediction which states there will be a difference between variable but doesn’t state in which direction
Normal distribution
Most scores lie close to the mean with significantly higher and lower scores being less frequent. The spread of the scores is ‘bell shaped’ and symmetrical
Null hypothesis
A prediction that states there will be no difference or no relationship between 2 variables
Operationalising
Making variables into something which can be manipulated or measured. These variables must be precisely defined.
Opportunity sampling
Sampling done by choosing the people you have available
Often leads to biased or unrepresentative sample
Order effects
A limitation of repeated measures design where participants either gain practise or become tired by repeated testing
Pilot study
Small scale study used to test if there are any methodological or ethical issues with an experiment
Population validity
Th extent to which the results of a test can be generalised to other people
Qualitative date
Non numerical, rich data
Language
Quantitative data
Numerical data
Quasi experiment
A study in which the researcher has non manipulated the IV but it has altered naturally
Eg Rutter’s Romanian study
Questionnaires
A self report method of collecting data
Primary data
Data collected specifically towards a research aim
Random sampling
Sampling where each member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected
Range
Measure of dispersion which subtracts the lowest value from the highest
Reliability
Consistency of results
Repeated measures design
A design where the same participants complete the different conditions of the IV
The screw you effect
Where participants guess the aim of the experiment and attempt to act in a way which disrupts the experiment
Semi structured interview
An int review which has some set questions but allows for follow up questions to gain rich data
Social desirability bias
When participants change their behaviour to appear more desirable
Standard deviation
Measure of diversion
Shows the average amount of scores differ from the mean
Standardised instructions
All instructions are written the same so the experiment is fair
Systematic sampling
A sampling technique where you take a participant in an ordered fashion
Eg choosing every 5th customer who enters a shop
Time sampling
Occurs when the researcher decides on a time and then records the bahaviour occurring at that time
Eg every 30 seconds
Unstructured interview
An interview with no pre planned structured questions
Validity
The extent to which you are truly testing what you set out to test
Case study
A rich, detailed study of one person or group.
