Research Methods Flashcards
Sampling
The process of selecting participants from a population that is to be studied.
Random sampling
Ensures that every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected to be a part of the sample.
Stratified sampling
Dividing the sample into different subgroups into representative subgroups of the population
Convenience sampling
Selecting participants who are readily available.
Single blind
Participants are unaware of which group they’ve been allocated to.
Double blind
Participant and researcher don’t know which groups
Counter balancing
Systematically changing the order of treatments or tasks for participants in a balanced way to counter the unwanted effects on performance of any one order.
Placebos
A fake treatment that represents the IV that is actually neutral. It ensures that participant expectations don’t effect results
Standardised procedures
The same instructions and steps for all participants
Indpendent Variable
Manipulated variable to test the effect it has on the DV
Dependent Variable
Used to observe and measure the effects of the IV
Extraneous Variable
Any variable other than the IV that can effect the DV
Confounding Variable
Extraneous Variable that hadn’t been identified before conducting the experiment, making the experiment invalid.
Individual participant differences
Unique personal characteristics that can act as an EV
Order effects
Practise effects: Influence of repeating a task
Carry over: Influence of particular task on following activity.
Placebo effect
Change in participant behaviour because of their expectations or beliefs
Experimenter effect
The way the experimenter carries out their research which can result in unwanted influence
Reliability
The extent to which results obtained from a research study are consistent, dependable and stable
Validity
Extent to which the procedure used for a research study measures what it intended to measure.
Ethical considerations
- Research Merit and Integrity-Results used to improve social welfare.
- Beneficence- Benefits to wider community.
- Justice- Fair procedures
- Respect for Human Beings- Researcher considers the participants.
