Research Methods

Question 1

Define the independent variable.

Answer 1

(IV) The variable that is changed or manipulated in some way.

Question 2

Define dependant variable.

Answer 2

(DV) The variable that shows the effect of the independent variable.

Question 3

Define extraneous variable.

Answer 3

(EV) A variable other then the IV that causes change in the DV.

Question 4

Define confounding variables.

Answer 4

An uncontrolled variable that causes change in the DV.

Question 5

Define experimental group.

Answer 5

The group exposed to the IV to see its effect on the DV.

Question 6

Define control group.

Answer 6

The group where the IV is absent.

Question 7

Define random sampling and provide an example.

Answer 7

Every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected as a participant. Eg lottery system.

Question 8

Define stratified sampling and provide an example.

Answer 8

Dividing the population into sub groups and then selecting a sample from each of those sub groups, can be done randomly. Eg separating the population into groups based on age, sex, income, etc.

Question 9

Define convenience sampling and provide an example.

Answer 9

Selecting participants by them being easily accessible to the researcher. Eg a teacher using students for an experiment.

Question 10

Define the experimenter effect.

Answer 10

When there is a change in the participants response due to the experimenters actions, not the IV.

Question 11

Define the order effect.

Answer 11

When there is a change in the participants response due to the order in which materials are presented to them, not the IV.

Question 12

Define experimenter bias.

Answer 12

Unintentional biases in the collection and treatment of data by the experimenter.

Question 13

Define placebo effect.

Answer 13

An improvement in a participants health or well being due to their belief that the treatment given to them will be effective.

Question 14

Define repeated measures design.

Answer 14

Each participant is involved in both the experimental and control groups of the experiment.

Question 15

Outline on advantage of a repeated measures design.

Answer 15

Because the same participants are used in both the experimental and control groups of the experiment: participants differences are minimised.

Question 16

Outline on limitation of a repeated measures design.

Answer 16

Because the same participants are used in both the experimental and control groups of the experiment: this can lead to an order effect. As the participants have had practice with the experiment before which may change results of the experiment in way separate from the effect of the IV.

Question 17

Define matched participants design.

Answer 17

Selection of pairs of participants who are very similar in characteristics that could influence the DV, and isolating them to different groups.

Question 18

Outline one advantage of a matched participants design.

Answer 18

Ensures both groups are equal in characteristics that could effect the DV, minimising order effects and individual participant differences.

Question 19

Outline one disadvantage of a matched participants design.

Answer 19

Very time consuming, and can be very difficult to find matching participants. .

Question 20

Define independent groups design.

Answer 20

Each participant is allocated randomly to entirely separate groups.

Question 21

Outline one advantage of an independent groups design.

Answer 21

Minimises the order effect effect as each participant only does the experiment once, very quick and easy to do.

Question 22

Outline one disadvantage of an independent groups design.

Answer 22

Less control over individual participant differences that may effect the DV other then IV, only works with large sample sizes.

Question 23

Define counterbalancing.

Answer 23

Arranging the order of which a repeated measures design experiment is experienced by participants so that each condition occurs equally as often in each group. Used to minimise the order effect.

Question 24

Define a single blind procedure.

Answer 24

Participants are unaware if they are in the control or experimental group. Used to eliminate the placebo effect.

Question 25

Define a double blind procedure.

Answer 25

Neither participants or the experimenters know if a participant is in the control or experimental group. Used to eliminate the experimenter effect.

Question 26

Define qualitive data and give an example.

Answer 26

Information about the characteristics or quality’s of what is being studied. Eg pictures or observations.

Question 27

Define quantitative data and give an example.

Answer 27

Numerical information on the amount of what is being studied. Eg lengths, weights, etc.

Question 28

Define a case study.

Answer 28

An intensive in depth investigation of some behaviour or event of interest to an induvial or small group.

Question 29

Define an observational study.

Answer 29

Collecting data by carefully watching and recording behaviour as it occurs.

Question 30

Define a self report.

Answer 30

The participants written or spoken responses to set questions by the researcher.

Question 31

Define questionnaires.

Answer 31

A type of self report. Made up of written questions that try to draw information from the participants.