Research methods Flashcards
IV
Independent variable - the variable that changes to create the different conditions
DV
Dependent variable - the variable that is measured by the researcher
Extraneous variable
Any variable that could affect the results
Confounding variable
Any variable other than the IV that has had an effect on results
Demand characteristics
When participants act unnaturally because they know they are part of an experiment
Social desirability bias
When the participant acts the way they think they are supposed to
Negative participant rule
The ‘screw you’ effect. when the participant acts out intentionally.
Investigator effects
Anything the researcher does that may affect the outcome of the experiment
Independent groups
When the participants are split into 2 groups and each group does one condition
Independent groups evaluation
Strengths: no order effects occur, only one test needs to be made
Weaknesses: individual differences may bias results in one condition, more participants are needed
Repeat measures
When all the participants take part in all the conditions, sometimes one group will do them in one order and the other in another order
Repeat measures evaluation
Strengths: no individual differences, less participants are needed
Weaknesses: order effects occur, two equal tests must be made
Matched pairs
Different people take part in different conditions but are matched across groups, e.g. by age
Matched pairs evaluation
Strengths: matching reduces individual differences, no order effect occur
Weaknesses: it can be impossible to find people with similar characteristics, more participants are needed
Informed consent
Involves making the participants aware of the aims of the research and what their data will be used for, then allowing them to decide if they want to be involved
Protection from harm and distress
The participants should not be placed under any more risk or stress than they would in their daily lives
Deception
Deliberately misleading or withholding information at any point. A participant who has been deceived cannot give informed consent.
Right to withdraw
Participants have the right to withdraw at any point, including the right to withdraw their data
Debrief
After the research is over, participants should be able to discuss the research and findings with the researcher
Confidentiality
Participants and their data must be kept anonymous unless they give their full consent
Random sampling
The entire population has an equal, random chance of being chosen
Random sampling evaluation
Strengths: everyone has an equal chance of being chosen, not subject to researcher bias
Weakness: doesn’t represent population
Systematic sampling
Chooses sample in a logical way from a list
Systematic sampling evaluation
Strengths: not subject to researcher bias, easy to do
Weaknesses: time consuming, sample does not always represent population
Stratified sampling
Identifying the different types of people that make up the target population and selecting the sample based on the proportions needed for the sample to be representative
Stratified sampling evaluation
Strengths: sample is usually representative of population, no researcher bias
Weakness: difficult and time consuming
Opportunity sampling
Uses people from the target population who are willing to take part, based on convenience
Opportunity sampling evaluation
Strengths: easy and time efficient
Weaknesses: not representative of the population, may be subject to researcher bias
Volunteer sampling
Participants put themselves forward as candidates for the study
Volunteer sampling evaluation
Strengths: no researcher bias if all volunteers are accepted, easy
Weaknesses: may only attract one type of person, not representative of the population
Aim
A description of the purpose of the study
Directional hypothesis
A specific, testable prediction of the direction of the effect
Non-directional hypothesis
A specific, testable prediction that does not predict the direction of the effect
Face validity
Whether the experiment appears valid at face value
Concurrent validity
Whether the results of the experiment comply with other experiments at the time
Ecological validity
Whether the results can be applied to other settings
Temporal validity
Whether the results will be valid across time
Mean
The average calculated by adding all the scores and dividing by number of values
Median
The middle value
Mode
The most common value
Range
The range between the highest and lowest values, calculated by taking the lowest value from the highest value
Standard deviation
A single value that shows how far the scores deviate from the mean; the larger the standard deviation, the greater dispersion in a set of scores
Table
Summarising data through descriptive statistics, usually accompanied by a summary paragraph
Bar chart
Used when data is divided into categories (discrete data)
Scattergram
Depicts associations between co-variables
Histogram
Presents continuous data
Randomisation
The use of chance wherever possible to reduce the researcher’s influence on the investigation
Standardisation
Making sure all participants are subject to the same experience, environment and information
Random allocation
Control of participants variables, meaning each participant has the same chance of being in one condition as any other
Counterbalancing
Only used in repeat measures; half the participants experience the conditions in one order and half the participants experience the conditions in the other order
