Research methods

Question 1

How do you define falsifiability?

Answer 1

the principle that the theory cannot be considered scientific unless it admits the possibility of being untrue.

Question 2

How do you define objectivity?

Answer 2

means the state or quality of being true even outside of a subjects individual biases, interpretations, feelings and imaginings.

Question 3

How do you define replicability?

Answer 3

the extent to which scientific procedures and findings can be repeated by other researchers.

Question 4

What are the 4 types of experiments?

Answer 4

laboratory, field, quasi and natural,

Question 5

Description of a laboratory experiment…

Answer 5

where variables are controlled or manipulated in an artificial setting.

Question 6

Description of a field experiment…

Answer 6

it is carried out in a natural setting but the researcher manipulates the IV.

Question 7

Description of a quasi-experiment…

Answer 7

the IV is naturally occurring but the DV may be measured in a lab

Question 8

Description of a natural experiment…

Answer 8

carried out in a completely natural setting, no manipulation from the researcher.

Question 9

Identify two strengths and weaknesses for a lab exp

Answer 9

easily replicated and has high ecological validity.

artificial material means less like real life and pps are aware that they are being studied.

Question 10

Identify two strengths and weaknesses for a field exp

Answer 10

higher mundane realism and ecological validity also less demand characteristics along with replicability.
ethical issues and difficult to control extraneous variables.

Question 11

Identify two strengths and weaknesses for a natural exp

Answer 11

enables psychologists to study real problems and allows research where IV cant be manipulated for ethical reasoning.
random allocation is not possible and it cannot demonstrate casual relationships.

Question 12

Identify two strengths and weaknesses for a quai-exp

Answer 12

allows comparisons
only used where conditions vary naturally, reduction of internal validity from being aware of being studied, artificial task.

Question 13

What are pilot studies?

Answer 13

small scale run of the research designed to highlight any obvious issues with research before it is done

Question 14

Why are pilot studies used?

Answer 14

help to minimize demand characteristics, examine feasibility, increase likelihood of success.

Question 15

How do you define an independent variable?

Answer 15

is the characteristic of a psychology experiment that is manipulated or changed.

Question 16

How do you define an dependent variable?

Answer 16

is the variable that is being measured or tested in an experiment.

Question 17

How do you define an confounding variable?

Answer 17

is an outside influence that changes the effect of a dependent and independent variable.

Question 18

How do you define an extraneous variable?

Answer 18

are problems that will occur in both conditions, often can not be controlled.

Question 19

What are the four types of hypothesis?

Answer 19

experimental, null, directional and non-directional.

Question 20

How do you define an experimental hypothesis?

Answer 20

it is used for statistical reasons

Question 21

How do you define an null hypothesis?

Answer 21

it is a statement of no difference or no relationship

Question 22

How do you define an directional hypothesis?

Answer 22

will state the exact direction of the experiment

Question 23

How do you define an non-directional hypothesis?

Answer 23

will state that there will be a difference in each condition but not in which direction it will occur.

Question 24

How can researchers prevent demand characteristics and investigator effects in psychological research?

Answer 24

single-blind technique, double blind technique, experimental realism.

Question 25

What is the single-blind technique?

Answer 25

the participant is not aware of the research aims or of which condition the experiment they are receiving.
prevents the pps from seeking cues about the aims and reacting to them.

Question 26

What is the double-blind technique?

Answer 26

both the participant and the the person conducting the experiment are ‘blind’ to the aims//hypothesis.

Question 27

What is experimental realism?

Answer 27

the researcher makes an experimental task sufficiently engaging the participant pays attention to the task and not the fact that they are being observed.

Question 28

How do you collect a random sample? Along with the strengths and weaknesses if it.

Answer 28

obtain a list of everyone, computer randomizer, select the number of names required.
it is unbiased but time consuming.

Question 29

How do you collect an opportunity sample? Along with the strengths and weaknesses if it.

Answer 29

recruit those ppl who are most available/convenient.

shortest time n]and easiest method but it is inevitably biased.

Question 30

How do you collect a stratified sample? Along with the strengths and weaknesses if it.

Answer 30

subgroups within the population, pps are obtained from each of the subgroup in proportion to their occurrence in the population.
more representative but very time consuming to identity subgroups.

Question 31

How do you collect a systematic sample? Along with the strengths and weaknesses if it.

Answer 31

use a predetermined system to select pps.

it is unbiased

Question 32

How do you collect a volunteer sample? Along with the strengths and weaknesses if it.

Answer 32

advertisement for pps to step forward by their own accord

access to variety of pps yet it has volunteer bias.

Question 33

What are the 3 experimental designs?

Answer 33

Independent groups, repeated measures and matched participants.

Question 34

Name the strengths and weaknesses of Independent groups design…(and what it is)

Answer 34

different pps used in each condition.
avoids order effect, pps less likely to get fed up and drop out.
researcher cannot control effects of pps variables, need more pps than other designs.

Question 35

Name the strengths and weaknesses of repeated measures design…(and what it is)

Answer 35

same pps take part in each condition.
no difference between groups in variables, half as many pps.
order of conditions may affect performance, may guess the purpose of the experiment and effect their behavior.

Question 36

Name the strengths and weaknesses of matched participant design…(and what it is)

Answer 36

different pps in two different conditions, matched according to variables.
control for extraneous variables.
takes time, difficult to match participants, can only match variables known to be relevant.

Question 37

How do you control psychological research?

HINT-there is 4 ways

Answer 37

random allocation, randomization, standardization, counterbalancing.

Question 38

Define naturalistic observation…

Answer 38

observing behavior in a natural setting where everything has been left as it is, but in circumstances where people expect to be observed

Question 39

Define convert observation…

Answer 39

behavior is observed and recorded without obtaining consent and those are unaware they are being watched.

Question 40

Define controlled observation…

Answer 40

where some variables are controlled by the researcher, usually specifically designed to set up in a structured environment.

Question 41

Define overt observation…

Answer 41

an observation in which behavior is observed and pps are aware they re being watched, full consent given.

Question 42

Define participant observation…

Answer 42

where the observer becomes apart of the group they are studying.

Question 43

Define non-participant observation…

Answer 43

impractical to join a particular group so the observer remains separate and observers outside of it in an objective way.