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Pscyhology KEYWORDS > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

1
Q

Experimental Method

A

Involves manipulation of an IV to measure the effects of a DV. Experiments can be lab, field, quasi or natural.

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2
Q

Aim

A

A general statement which tells what the researcher intends to investigate with the study.

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3
Q

Hypothesis

A

A clear and precise, testable statement that states the relationship between variables being investigated.

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4
Q

Directional Hypothesis

A

States the direction of the difference or relationship.

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5
Q

Non-directional Hypothesis

A

Doesn’t say the direction

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6
Q

Independent Variables

A

The part of the experiment which will be manipulated by the researcher, or that naturally changes, so it’s effect on the DV can be measured.

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7
Q

Dependent Variables

A

The variable that is measured by the researcher. Any effect on the DV should be due to the IV.

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8
Q

Operationalisation

A

Clearly defining variables (how they be can measured).

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9
Q

Extraneous Variables

A

Any variable, apart from the IV that might effect the DV, when it’s not controlled.

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10
Q

Confounding Variables

A

Any variable minus the IV which has an effect on the DV that means we cant be sure of the true changes to the DV.

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11
Q

Demand Characteristics

A

Any cue from the researcher or the situation that might reveal the purpose of the investigation. Therefore the participants may change how they behave.

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12
Q

Investigator Effects

A

Any effect the investigator might have (conscious or unconscious) on the research outcome DV. Might be how the study is designed or how the researcher interacts with the participant during.

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13
Q

Randomisation

A

Using chance to control effects that may bias when designing the study or order of conditions.

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14
Q

Standardisation

A

Using the same formalisation of procedures and instructions to all the participants in a research study.

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15
Q

Experimental Design

A

The different ways that testing participants can be organised - experimental conditions.

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16
Q

Independent Groups Design

A

Participants being allocated to different groups , where each one is a different experimental condition.

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17
Q

Repeated Measures

A

All participants take part in all types of conditions.

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18
Q

Matched Pairs

A

Pairs of participants being matched first on the same variables that effect the DV i.e IQ . 1 is assigned to condition A the other to condition B

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19
Q

Random Allocation

A

An attempt in independent group design to have the same chance of each participant being in one condition compared to the others.

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20
Q

Counterbalancing

A

An attempt to control effects of order in repeated measures by half participants experience it A B and the other B A.

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21
Q

Laboratory Experiement

A

In a controlled environment where the researcher manipulates to IV and records it’s affect on the DV. Whilst controlling EV.

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22
Q

Field Experiment

A

In a natural setting where the researcher manipulates the IV, recording the affects on DV.

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23
Q

Natural Experiment

A

Change in the IV is happening naturally but the researcher records the effects on the DV.

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24
Q

Quasi-Experiment

A

The IV hasn’t been determined and the variables simply exist i.e being young or old. It’s not really an experiment.

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25
Population
The group of people who are the focus of the researcher's interests. The smaller sample comes from this.
26
Sample
The group who take part in the research investigation. Drawn from the target population and presumed to be representative of the population.
27
Sampling Techniques
The method used to select people from the population.
28
Generalisation
How much findings/conclusions can be applied to the general population. This is made possible if the sample is representative of which.
29
Bias
When certain groups may be under/over represented in the sample i.e too many young, too little ethic minority. Limits how much you can generalise it the the population.
30
Ethical Issues
When there are conflicts between the rights of participants and the goals of the research producing valid useful data.
31
BPS code of ethics
Legal document produced by British Psychological Society. Instructing psychologists what behavior is and isn't acceptable when dealing with participants. Around respect, competence, responsibility and integrity.
32
Pilot Study
A small-scale version of the investigation as a check that procedures, materials etc all work and allow the researcher to make changes if needed.
33
Naturalistic Observation
Watching and recording behavior in a setting where it would normally happen.
34
Controlled Observation
Watching and recording behavior in a structured environment where variables can be controlled.
35
Covert Observation
Participants being unaware their behaviour is being watched and studied.
36
Overt Observation
The researcher becomes part of the group whose behaviour they are observing.
37
Non-Participants Observation
The researcher remains outside the group whose behaviour she is observing.
38
Behavioural Categories
When a target behaviour is broken up into specific observable and measurable bits.
39
Event Sampling
A target behaviour or event that is established then the researcher notes this everytime it occours.
40
Time Sampling
A target is set and the researcher records their behaviour for a set time frame like 60 seconds.
41
Self-report Techniques
Any way a person is asked to explain their feelings, opinions, behaviours or experiences on a given topic.
42
Interview
One person asks a set of questions to assess the interviewee's thoughts and or experiences. They are often pre-set (structured interview) or may be asked to develop as the interview goes along (unstructured interview).
43
Open Question
One that has no fixed way to respond it produces qualitative data.
44
Closed Question
Where there is a fixed way to respond often produces quantitative data.
45
Correlation
A mathematical representation of an association between two variables.
46
Co-variables
The variables investigated within an investigation like height and weight.
47
Positive Correlation
As one co-variable increases so does the other.
48
Negative Correlation
As one co-variable decreases so does the other.
49
Zero Correelation
There is no relationship between the co-variables.
50
Data that is numbers is...... (spell it)
Quantitative
51
Feelings and emotions expressed in words is.....(spell it)
Qualitative
52
Primary Data
Obtained first by the researcher, for the purposes of the research. Gathered through self-report, observation and the experiement.
53
Secondary Data
Already been collected by someone else, might have come from other psychologists or goverment statistics.
54
Meta-analysis
Combining results from a number of studies to provide and overall view.
55
Descriptive Statistics
Use of graphs, tables and summary statistcs to identify trends and analyse sets of data.
56
Measures of Central Tendancy
General term for measuring an average including:mean, median and mode.
57
Measures of Dispersion
Measure of a spread or variation in scores i.e range , standard deviation.
58
Standard Deviation
Measuring the dispersion in a set of scores. Tells us how much scores deviate from the mean.
59
Skewed Distribution
A spread of data that isnt symmetrical (data clusters at one end)
60
Negative Shew
Distributeda long tail on the negative left side which concentration on the right.
61
Positive Shew
Long tail on the right with distribution concretated on the left.
62
Statistical Testing is used to ....
Show if a hypothesis should be accepted or rejected. If the relationships or differences happened by chance or are significant.
63
Sign Test
Used to analyse the difference between related scores.
64
Peer Review
The assessment of scientific work by other specialists, to make sure it's high quality before it's published.

Pscyhology KEYWORDS (7 decks)

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