Research Methods Flashcards
What is quantitative data
Information gathered in the course of an experiment that is in numerical form
What is qualitative data
- information gathered in the course of an experiment that is in vocal form
What is a normal distribution and give an example
- doing a statistical analysis
- data firm target population would be normally distributed
- 50% each side of the mean
- example reading scores for 8 year olds
What is negatively skewed data and give an example
- reading test too easy
- more children scoring higher
- curve that is skewed to the right
- mean is less than the median and the mode
What is positively skewed distribution and give an example
Reading test is too hard
- more People struggling
- curve that is skewed to the left
- mean is more than the median and the mode
What is an independent variable
The thing you change during an experiment
What is a dependent variable
- the thing you measure during an experiment
What are extraneous variable
- ## potential variables that can affect the results of an experiment
What is internal validity
- the test measures out what it sets to measure out
What is a hypothesis
A scientific prediction as to what the study will find
They are stated at the beginning of the experiment
What is a non-directional hypothesis
- a prediction that there will be a difference between the two groups
What is a directional hypothesis
A prediction that there will be a difference, in one specific way, between the two groups
What is a null hypothesis
A prediction that there will be no difference between the two groups
What are the four experimental methods
- lab study
- field study
- natural study
- quasi study
What is a lab study
- a Study done in a controlled environment where the experimenter can control the independent variable and most of the potential extraneous variables
What is a field study
A study done in a natural environment where the experimenter controls the independent variable but struggles to control extraneous variables
What is a natural study
- a study done in a natural environment where the experimenter studies the effect of an independent variable that has changed naturally
What is a quasi study
- a study done in a natural environment where the experimenter studies a pre-existing difference between groups
Example of a lab study
Bandura
Because he is in a controlled environment
Example of a field experiment
Hofling
Done in the real world
Strength and weakness of a lab experiment
:) this experimental method has the highest level of control as it is in a artificial environment with full control
:( could cause the participants to behave in a different way to Normal, as they are know they are being observed
Strength and weakness of field experiment
:) higher in realism, than a lab study and maintains control of the independent variable
:( lacks control of extraneous variables as it is done in the real world,made spite controlling the independent variable
Strength and weakness of natural experiment
:) fully realistic, as the independent variable has changed naturally and is low in demand characteristics as the independent variable already exists
:( really low level of control, as the independent variable hasnt been manipulated and is carried out in a natural environment
Strength and weakness of quasi experiment
:) high realism as the independent variable already exists
:( low level of control, as the independent variable hasn’t been manipulated and it is carried out in a natural environment
What is independent groups
- different participants in each conditions of the IV
- eg half receive a sweet half don’t
Strength and weakness of independent groups
:) everyone only takes part in one condition
- no chance of learning/improving
- no chance of practice effects
- no chance of the participants getting bored
:( differences between people
- participant variables could affect your dependent variable
What is repeated measures
- each participant does both conditions
- eg both will have a sweet and both won’t have a sweet
Strength and weakness of repeated measures
:) controls the differences between people
:) generally requires slightly fewer participants than independent groups
:( order effects
- people may be better the second time because of learning
- may be worse the second time because of boredom
:( need to design two sets of material
What are matched pairs
- each person does one condition
- matched with another person doing the other condition on some important extraneous variables
- eg matched on creativity before doing the experiment
- do this before the start of a study
Evaluation of matched pairs
:) no problems with order effects
:) researcher gains some control over an important extraneous variables
:( impractical to match people at the beginning don’t know how creative people are
:( may be other variables that differ that can effect the experiment
What is counter balancing and which design does it link to
- half the participants do conditions in one particular order and the other half do it in the opposite order
- balance possible order effects
- repeated measures
