Research Methods Flashcards
What does an experimental method involve?
An experimental method involves manipulating an IV to measure the effect on the DV
What is an aim?
A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate
What is a hypothesis?
A clear statement (prediction) that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated
What is a directional hypothesis?
A hypothesis that states the direction of the difference between variables in study
What is a non-directional hypothesis?
A hypothesis that does not state the direction of the difference between variables in study
What is an IV?
What we are changing in the experiment
What is a DV?
What we are measuring in an experiment
What is operationalising?
clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured (e.g. counting number of mistakes in a test)
What is an extraneous variable?
A variable, other than the IV, that can affect the DV if it is not controlled
What is a confounding variable?
A variable, other than the IV, that may have already affected the DV
What are demand characteristics?
When a participant changes their behaviour to suit the experimenters expectations/please the experimenter
What are investigator effects?
Any effect of the investigators behaviour on the research outcome (can be unconscious)
What is randomisation?
The use of chance to prevent the effects of bias (e.g. mixing up words in a list)
What is standardisation?
Using exactly the same procedures and instructions for all participants in a study (reduced extraneous variables)
Define experimental design and name 3 examples?
The different ways a set of participants can be organised (to take part in conditions)
- Independent group design
- Repeated measures design
- Matched pairs design
What is independent group design?
When participants are allocated to different groups where each group represents an experimental condition
What is repeated measures design?
When the same group of participants takes part in both condition
What is random allocation?
A method that prevents participant variables (in independent group design )so that each participant has the same chance of being in one condition as any other
What is counter balancing?
A method that prevents ‘order effect’ in repeated measures by having participants experiences a set of conditions in one order, and the other half in the opposite order
What is matched pairs design?
When pairs of participants are matched on some variables that could affect the DV. Then, one member of the pair is assigned to one condition whilst the other member is assigned to the other
What are the advantages and disadvantages of independent group design?
Advantage:
- No order effect
Disadvantage:
- Participant variables may be present
- May take more time and effort as more participants are needed
What are the advantages and disadvantages of repeated measures design?
Advantages:
- Less effort as less participants needed
- Participant variables are controlled
Disadvantages:
- Order effects may be present
- Demand characteristics may be present
What are the advantages and disadvantages of matched pairs design?
Advantages:
- Participants only take part in a single condition so demand characteristics and order effects aren’t a problem
Disadvantages:
- Matching is complicated. Extraneous variables may be present
- Matching may be time consuming and expensive
What is a lab experiment?
An experiment that takes place in a controlled environment to eliminate the presence of extraneous variables. The researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV
What is a field experiment?
An experiment that takes place in a natural/real-life setting. The researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV
What is a natural experiment?
An experiment in which the change in the IV is not brought about by the researcher but would have happened even if the researcher had not been there. The researcher records the effect on the DV
What is a quasi experiment?
An experiment that is based on an existing difference between people (e.g. age/gender)
What are the strengths and weaknesses of a lab experiment?
Strengths:
- Control over extraneous variable so cause and effect relationship can be established (high internal validity)
- High level of control means easy to replicate
Weaknesses:
- Lacks generalisability as setting is artificial and in an unfamiliar context, people may behave in unusual ways (low external validity)
- Pps usually aware they are being investigated in a lab exp. so demand characteristics may be present
- Tasks in lab experiments dont reflect real-life experiences (low mundane realism)
What are the strengths and weaknesses of a field experiment?
Strengths:
- High mundane realism as more likely to include real-life experiences
- High external validity as Pps behaviour may be more valid and authentic in a real-life setting
Weaknesses:
- No control of extranous so can’t see cause and effect clearly. (low internal validity)
- Likely to be unethical as Pps may not be aware that they are being studied (in a natural setting)
What are the strengths and weaknesses of a natural experiment?
Strengths:
- Researchers dont have to worry about practical or ethical issues as opportunities come by chance
- High external validity as it involves real-life problems and issues
Weaknesses:
- Naturally occuring events are very rare, reducing opportunities for research
- Participants cant be randomly allocated so participant variables may be present. (means we cant clearly see cause and effect)
What are the strengths and weaknesses of a quasi experiment?
Strengths:
1. often take place in a contorlled environment so share same strengths as a lab experiment
Weakness:
1. Participants can’t be randomly allocated to participant variables may be present
What is a population?
The group of people from which a sample is drawn (the group that the researcher is interested in)
What is a sample?
The group that is chosen to take part in the investigation. They are chosen from the target population and represent them
What are sampling techniques?
The method used to select people from the population
What is sampling bias?
When certain groups may be over/under represented within the sample selected e.g. may be too many young in a sample. This makes it hard to generalise
What is generalisation?
the extent to which findings can be broadly applied to the population
What is random sampling?
A method in which all members of a population have an equal chance of being picked
What is systematic sampling?
When every nth person from a population is selected to take part in an investigation
What is opportunity sampling?
Selecting anyone who is willing and available at the time to take part in an investigation
What is volunteer sampling?
When participants select themselves to be a part of a sample
Evaluate the use of random sampling
Pros:
- free of researcher bias
Cons:
- time consuming and expensive
- can end up with a sample that is still unrepresentative
- selected participants may refuse to take part
Evaluate the use of systematic sampling
Pros:
- free of researcher bias
Con:
- CAN be unrepresentative (not always)
Evaluate the use of opportunity sampling
Pros
- saves time and effort
Con:
- unrepresentative as sample’s only drawn from specific area so results cant be generalised
- Can include researcher bias
What is stratified sampling?
A method in which the composition of the sample reflects the proportions of people in certain sub-groups within the target/wider population
Evaluate the use of stratified sampling.
Pro
- Avoids researcher bias
- more representative of target population than other methods
Con
- Not always perfect and cannot reflect all the ways that people are different so COMPLETE representation isnt possible
Evaluate the use of volunteer sampling?
Pro
- Saves time and effort
Con
- May attract someone who is e.g. keen/curious, which might affect how far findings can be generalised
When do ethical issues occur?
When conflict exists between the rights of the participant and the aims of the research
What is informed consent?
Informed consent involves making Pps aware of their role in the research, the aim/procedure of the research, their rights, and what the data will be used for (before they make the decision on whether to take part or not)
What is deception and what does the BPS say about it?
Deception is delibaretly misleading/withholding info from the participants.
It is only allowed in some cases, where it doesnt cause the pp undue distress. (It can also lead to accurate results in an investigation)
What is ‘Protection from harm’?
Ensuring that pps are protected from physical or psychological harm. This includes making them feel embarrassed, distressed, or under pressure
What does ‘privacy’ refer to?
The idea that participants have the right to control information about themselves