Research Methods Flashcards
Whats the difference between a hypothesis and aim?
the aim is a statement to what the study is finding whereas the hypothesis is a testable statement
Whats the difference between directional and non-directional hypothesis?
A directional hypothesis is a hypothesis which states the direction of a result whereas a non-directional hypothesis states the difference between the two conditions and groups
When is a directional hypothesis used?
this is used when there is a past study that shows the research will go a particular way
When is a non- directional hypothesis used?
this is used when there is no past study or there is contradiction
What is a pilot study?
A pilot study is using a sample and a small scale sample to see if there are any flaws before the study takes place
Why is a pilot study used?
- certain aspects don’t work
- can see what needs to be adjusted
- no waste of time and money
What is a confederate?
this is using another person to play a role in the study
What is Validity
this refers to how true something is in an explanation of behaviour
What is internal validity?
The degree to which an observed effect was due to the experimental manipulation rather than other factors such as confounding and extraneous variables
What are the factors of internal Validity
- whether the IV produced a change in the DV
- Whether the research tested what they intended to test
- Whether the study had any mundane realism
What is external validity?
the degree to which research findings can be generalised: by people, by settings, over time
What effects external validity?
the place where the research took place - ecological validity
the people who were studied - population validity
the historical period - historical validity
What are confounding variables?
these are variables under study which is not the IV but varies systematically with the IV, therefore the DV is affected making the results no longer valuable
What are extraneous variables?
a variable which does not vary systematically with the IV and therefore does no act as an alternative IV but has an effect on the DV
What us mundane realism?
This refers to how an experiment mirrors the real world if the experiment is not an everyday situation this could effect the results and make it less useful in the real world
What causes and effects generalisation?
- if materials are contrived e.g. film clips
- if participants know there being studied this could effect their behaviour
- even if real is still lacks generalism as everyone behaves differently
What is operationalise?
Ensuring that variables are in a form that can be measured
What is standardised procedures?
A set of procedures given to all participants in order to be able to repeat the study for example a set of instructions
Why is standardisation important?
The results could vary because of changed in the procedure instead of the iv
What is the independent variable?
Some event that is directly manipulated by an experiment in order to test its effect on another varible
What is the dependent variable?
A measurable outcome of the action of the independent variable in an experiment
Why do we need to control variables?
this is so we know the manipulated variable(iv) causes the change in the dv
When do random errors occur?
they occur when extraneous variables affect participants or the dv in a random fashion
names some random errors
state of mind, level of motivation, incidental noise, ill, previous experiences during the day
what does random allocation do?
this reduces the random errors as we assume they will balance out across experimental conditions
What is a constant error?
they affect the DV in a consistent and systematic way therefore are more of a serous problem as they do not affect all conditions equally
What do constant errors include?
a failure to counterbalance or randomise the presentation order of experimental conditions
- participant differences, demand characteristics, situational differences, investigator effects, measurement errors
What are the areas where extraneous variables arise?
participant, situational, experimental, order effect
what are participant variables?
characteristics of participant may influence outcome they can therefore act as an alternative iv as 1 group may be different to the next
What are situational variables?
factors about the experiment setting that could affect the dv or behaviour of the participants
What are experimenter variables?
factors relating to the investigator that could affect the outcome of research
- characteristics, gender, appearance
What is order effect?
repeated measures could affect performance as participant may get bored or affect by first level
What is random allocation?
the way which researchers divide participants into different experimental conditions therefore there is no bias in participant characteristics
How do you randomly allocate?
computer selection, random number tables, manual allocation
What does randomisation do?
reduces the researchers influence on the design of the study
What is counterbalancing?
this is used to control order effect this ensures each condition is tested in equal events
what are the 3 standardisation methods?
standardised procedure - all groups carry out in same way - gets rid of confounding variables
standardised instructions - exact same wording to stop bias and people getting clearer or more difficult instructions
standardised conditions - all have same experience - rule out bias
name type of experimental design
repeated measures, independent groups, matched pair design
what is repeated measure design?
all participants receive all levels of the iv, compare the performance (dv) of participants over the two tests
what is independent groups design?
participants are placed in separate groups each group does one level of the iv, then compare DV of 2 groups
What is matched pair design?
2 groups of participants but matched participants on key characteristics believed to affect the DV, then one member of the pair goes to one group and the other to the other group, then follow independent groups design
What are the limitations of repeated measures design?
order effect may affect performance, when participants do the 2nd test they might gain the purpose of the experiment this could affect their behaviour
What are the limitations of independent groups design:?
researcher cannot measure the effect of participant variables, needs more participant than repeated measures desgin
What are the limitations of matched pair design?
time consuming to match participants on key variables and have to start with a large group, not possible to control all variables
What are the methods of dealing with the limitations for repeated measures design?
counterbalance to avoid guessing purpose and use two difference tests to reduce order effect
How do you deal with the limitations of independent group design?
random allocation
How do you deal with the methods of matched pair design?
restrict number of variables to match making it easier, conduct a pilot study to consider variables that are important when matching
What does counterbalancing ensure?
each condition in a repeated measures design is tested 1st or 2nd in equal amount this deals with order effects
What are the advantages of a pilot study?
- check if details are appropriate
- indicate that participants don’t understand what they are to do
- see if there are uncontrolled variables affecting the DV
