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Pschology > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

1
Q

Experimental method

A

A process of manipulating an IV to see the effect on the DV

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2
Q

Aim

A

A statement of what the researchers intend to find out in a research

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3
Q

Hypothesis

A

A precise testable statement about the assumed relationship between variables

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4
Q

Directional hypothesis

A

States the direction of the difference or relationship
Used when previous research suggests a particular outcome

Condition 1 will get more/less DV than those in condition 2

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5
Q

Non directional hypothesis

A

Does not state the direction
When there is no previous research or if it had contradictory findings

There will be a difference in the DV of those in condition 1 and condition 2

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6
Q

Independent variable

A

Some aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher so the DV can be measured

What I change

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7
Q

Dependent variable

A

The variable that is measured by the research

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8
Q

Operationalisation

A

Clearly defining variable to ensure that they are in a form that can be easily tested

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9
Q

Extraneous variables

A

Variable besides the IV which may have an effect on the DV
Nuisance variable that do not vary systematically with the IV

E.g. individual differences

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10
Q

Confounding variables

A

Variable besides the IV which may have affected the DV
Do vary systematically with the IV
Only affects one group

E.g. practise effects, fatigue effects

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11
Q

Demand characteristics

A

Cue from researcher that ppts may interpret as revealing the purpose of the investigation
May lead to ppt changing their behaviour

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12
Q

Investigator effects

A

Any effect of the investigators behaviour (conscious or unconscious) on the research outcome
Everything from design to study to interaction of ppts during research process

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13
Q

Controlling extraneous variables

A

Randomisation

Standardisation

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14
Q

Randomisation

A

The use of chance in order to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding order of conditions

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15
Q

Standardisation

A

Making everything the same

Using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all ppts in a research study

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16
Q

Independent groups

A

Ppts divided into 2 groups

One group takes part in condition 1 and one group takes part in condition 2

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17
Q

Strengths of independent groups

A

No order effects

Higher in internal validity

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18
Q

Limitations of independent groups

A

Cannot control effects of ppt. variables or diff. variables

Needs more ppts. to obtain same amount of data

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19
Q

Repeated measures

A

One group of ppts

The ppts take part in both conditions of the experiment

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20
Q

Strengths of repeated measures

A

Does not need as many ppts

Quicker

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21
Q

Limitations of repeated measures

A

Order effects
Boredom effect
May act to demand characteristics

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22
Q

Matched pairs

A

The people for the experiment are tested before taking part and are matched for qualities into pairs

One member of the pair takes part in one conditions, the other in the other condition

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23
Q

Strengths of matched pairs

A

No boredom effect
No order effect
Most accurate

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24
Q

Limitations of matched pairs

A

Time consuming
Need a very large sample as it’s difficult to match ppts on key variables
Not possible to control all variables as you can only match on variables known to be relevant

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25
Q

Dealing with limitations of independent groups

A

Individual differences - randomisation

Distributes ppts variables evenly

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26
Q

How to deal with limitation of repeated measures

A

Counterbalancing - either AB or BA or ABBA

27
Q

How to deal with limitation of matched pairs

A

Restrict no. of variables to match on to make it easier

Conduct a pilot study to consider key variables that might be important when matching

28
Q

Mutually exclusive experiment types

A

Lab and Field

Natural and Quasi

29
Q

Lab experiment

A

Researcher controls as many variables as possible

Usually done in a lab using standardised procedures

30
Q

Strengths of Lab experiment

A

High replicability
High external validity
High internal validity

31
Q

Limittions of Lab experiment

A

Lacks mundane realism

Low ecological validity

32
Q

Field experiment

A

An experiment performed in the natural environment of those being studied

33
Q

Strengths of Field experiments

A

Ppts not aware they’re being studied; no demand characteristics
High ecological validity

34
Q

Limitations of Field experiment

A

Time consuming and expensive
Low internal validity, can’t control several extraneous variables
Unethical

35
Q

Natural experiment

A

An experiment conducted when it is not possible (ethically or practicality), to deliberately manipulate the IV. It is said that the IV occurs ‘naturally’ e.g. brain damage patients

36
Q

Strengths of Natural experiments

A

Increased mundane realism

Allows research where IV cant be practically/manipulated

37
Q

Limitations of Natural experiments

A

Cant demonstrate relationships

Cant control confounding variables

38
Q

Quasi experiments

A

Researcher makes use of naturally occurring differences between people(climate)

39
Q

Strengths of Quasi experiments

A

Allows comparison between types of people

40
Q

Limitations of Quasi experiments

A

Can only be used where conditions vary naturally
Low internal validity
Low ecological validity

41
Q

Target population

A

Group of people that the researcher is interested in

42
Q

Types of sampling

A 
V - volunteer
R - random
O - opportunity
S - stratified 
S - systematic
43
Q

Random sample

A

Form of sampling in which all members of a target population is obtained and they each have an equal chance of being selected

44
Q

Strengths of random sample

A

Prevents researcher bias

45
Q

Limitations of random sample

A

Difficult
Time consuming
Ppts may refuse to take part
Sample may be unrepresentative

46
Q

Systematic sample

A

Where every nth member of the population is selected

47
Q

Strengths of systematic samples

A

Avoids researcher bias

Usually fairly representative

48
Q

Limitations of systematic samples

A

Not truly representative unless you choose the number randomly

49
Q

Stratified sampling

A

Composition of the sample reflects the proportions of prople in certain sub groups

50
Q

Strengths of stratified sampling

A

Avoids researcher bias

Sample is representative

51
Q

Limitations of stratified sampling

A

Not fully representative as population cannot be separated by just one strata

52
Q

Volunteer sample

A

Self selected

Ppts choose to be part of the studying

53
Q

Strengths of a volunteer sample

A

Easy
Minimal input
Less time consuming

54
Q

Limitations of volunteer sample

A

Volunteer bias - attracting a certain type of person

55
Q

Opportunity sample

A

Selecting those who are readily available

56
Q

Strengths of opportunity sample

A

Convenient
Cheap
Time and effort is saved

57
Q

Limitations of opportunity samples

A

Unrepresentative

Researcher bias

58
Q

Single blind procedures

A

Ppt is unaware of the research aims and/or which condition of the experiment they are receiving
Prevents ppts from seeking cues about the aims and reacting to them

59
Q

Double blind procedure

A

Both the ppt and the person conducting the research are ‘blind’ to the aims and/or hypotheses
Person conducting experiment is less likely to produce cues about what they expect

60
Q

Naturalistic observation

A

Behaviour is studied in a natural situation

61
Q

Evaluation of naturalistic observation

A

Realistic picture
Increased ecological validity
Lack of control

62
Q

Controlled observation

A

Form of investigation in which behaviour is observed but under conditions where certain variables have been organised by researcher

63
Q

Evaluation of controlled observation

A

Establish cause and effect

Makes environment feel unnatural

Pschology (6 decks)

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