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A Level Psychology (AS Edexcel) > ****Research methods > Flashcards

****Research methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Aim

A

A description of what the researcher is trying to find out from conducting an experiment

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2
Q

Bar chart

A

A graph used for discrete categories, so there are gaps between the bars

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3
Q

Case study

A

A research method that involves the study of one person or event that is unusual in some way. It involves the collection of quantitative and qualitative data using a range of methods

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4
Q

Closed question

A

A question that produces quantitative data. The pp can only select from a set range of options, and there is no opportunity to expand on answers

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5
Q

Correlation

A

A research method that involves plotting two variables on a scatter graph to see if they relate to each other

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6
Q

Counterbalancing

A

A technique used to over come order effects in a repeated measure design, when half of the pp do condition 1 first and half do condition 2 of the IV first

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7
Q

Covert

A

When participants do not know that a researcher is in the group observing them

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8
Q

Demand characteristics

A

Cues about the aim of the experiment that participants pick up from the experimental situation, which can affect behaviour

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9
Q

Dependent variable

A

The variable that you measure in the experiment that is expected to be affected by changes in IV

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10
Q

Directional hypothesis

A

A statement predicting the direction of a relationship between variables

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11
Q

Ecological validity

A

Whether a research study has a realistic environment and task so the behaviour produced is similar to real life

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12
Q

Ethical guidelines

A

Guidelines for how to treat pps in the right way in research

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13
Q

Experimental design

A

The way in which pps are grouped and tested between conditions of IV

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14
Q

Experimenter bias

A

When an experimenter knows their hypothesis and their measurements may conform to what they expect to see

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15
Q

Extraneous variable

A

A variable, other than the IV, which could affect the DV

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16
Q

Field experiment

A

A research method where an IV is manipulated in a natural environment

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17
Q

Generalizability

A

This is about whether a study has a varied and large enough sample to be representative for a larger population

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18
Q

Histogram

A

A graph illustrating frequency to show the distribution of continuous data

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19
Q

Hypothesis

A

A predictive statement about what effect you expect the IV to have on the DV

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20
Q

Independent groups

A

A design where different people are used in each condition of the IV, without being matched

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21
Q

Independent variable

A

The variable that you manipulate to create two or more conditions that is expected to have an effect on the DV

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22
Q

Inter-rather reliability

A

The extent to which 2 researchers interpreting qualitative responses in a questionnaire will produce the same records

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23
Q

Lab experiment

A

A research method where the experimenter manipulates an IV and measures a DV in a controlled environment

The researcher decides where, when, who, in what circumstances and using a standardized procedure.

  • Participants are randomly allocated to each independent variable group.
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24
Q

Matched pairs

A

A design where different, but similar people are used in each condition of the IV

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25
Q

Mean

A

The average of a set of numbers

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26
Q

Median

A

The middle score in a set of numbers

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27
Q

Mode

A

The most common score in a set of numbers

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28
Q

Natural experiment

A

A research method where the researcher has no control over the IV to the allocation of the groups

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29
Q

Naturalistic observation

A

An observation that involves observing pps in their normal environment

30
Q

Non-directional hypothesis

A

A statement predicting there will be a difference in the measures of the DV from the conditions of IV

31
Q

Non participant observation

A

An observation where the researcher is not part of the social setting being observed e.g. observe through a one way mirror

32
Q

Normal distribution

A

When mean, median and mode are the same

33
Q

Null hypothesis

A

A testable statement say that any difference or correlation is due to chance

34
Q

Objectivity

A

An unbiased external viewpoint that is not affected by individual feelings or experiences, so would be consistent between researchers

35
Q

Observation

A

A research method that involves watching people or recording their behaviors

36
Q

Open questions

A

A question that produces qualitative data and pps are encouraged to expand their answers and answer in full sentences

37
Q

Operationalisation

A

When you clearly DEFINE variables so they can be accurately measured or manipulated

38
Q

Opportunity sample

A

When a sample is gathered by asking anyone immediately available to take part in the research study

39
Q

Order effects

A

Effects caused by using a repeated measure design because pps repeat a task for more than once

40
Q

Overt

A

When pps know who the researcher is and they are being observed

41
Q

Participant observation

A

An observation where the researcher is part of the social setting being observed

42
Q

Participant variables

A

Individual differences between participants

43
Q

Controlled variable

A

Kept constant for all conditions of IV

44
Q

Population

A

All individual of one type

45
Q

Qualitative data

A

Non-numerical data , usually in the form of descriptions

46
Q

Quantitative data

A

Numerical data

47
Q

Questionnaire

A

A research method that uses written questions

48
Q

Random allocation

A

A technique used to overcome individual differences when the pps have equal change of being allocated to either condition of the IV

49
Q

Random sample

A

When a sample is gathered by using a system to select pps from a target sample list, where each person on the list has an equal chance of being selected

50
Q

Range

A

A measure of dispersion that involves calculating the difference between the highest and the lowest score

  • the spread
  • showing not everyone is…
51
Q

Reliability

A

This is about whether the data is consistent

52
Q

Repeated measures

A

A design where same ppl are used in each condition of the IV

53
Q

Representative

A

About whether a sample has similar kinds of people to the target population

54
Q

Research method

A

The main way of collecting data in a research study

55
Q

Sampling method

A

The way in which an experimenter gathers the sample for the research study

56
Q

Scattergraph

A

A way to display data from a correlational study that shows whether the two variables plotted are related

57
Q

Self report

A

A research method where a participant reports on their own thoughts and behaviours by answering a series of written questions in a set order

58
Q

Semi-structured interview

A

An interview with questions in a fixed order, but the researcher is also allowed to add additional questions throughout the interview to allow the pp to expand on areas of interest

59
Q

Situational variable

A

An extraneous variable caused by an aspect of the environment

60
Q

Skewed distribution

A

When median or mode differ from the mean

61
Q

Standard deviation

A

A measure of dispersion that calculates the average difference between each score and the mean. The bigger the SD, the greater the variation in scores

62
Q

Structured interview

A

An interview with questions in a fixed order, which may be scripted

63
Q

Structured observation

A

An observation where the observer records only a specific set of pre-defined behaviours

64
Q

Subjectivity

A

A personal viewpoint, which may be biased by one’s feelings or experiences, so may differ between researchers

65
Q

Target population

A

The group of people that we want to generalize the results of a study to

66
Q

Test-retest reliability

A

A way to measure the consistency of a test by repeating it and checking whether the two sets of data correlate well

67
Q

Unstructured observation

A

A study in which the observer records the WHOLE RANGE of behaviours - usually in the pilot stage to refine the behaviour always categories to be observed

68
Q

Unstructured interview

A

A research method where the participants discusses something with a psychologist

69
Q

Validity

A

Whether the experimenter has an accurate measurement of what they think that they are measuring

70
Q

Volunteer sampling

A

When a sample is gathered by placing an advert and getting pps to volunteer themselves

71
Q

Fatigue effect

A

A situation where pps performance declines because they have experienced an experimental task more than once e.g. due to boredom

A Level Psychology (AS Edexcel) (17 decks)

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