Research Methods Flashcards
DV
The factor which will be measured in an experiment to see if changing the IV has an effect
Hypothesis
A testable statement about the relationship between two variables (IV&DV)
IV
The factor which will be changed in an experiment to look for an effect on the DV
Null hypothesis
A hypothesis that exists and states that no variables affect any other variables
Lab experiment
Conducted in a lab
Field experiment
Takes place in a real environment - there is a IV that is manipulated —> effects the DV
Natural experiment.
In a real environment with a naturally occurring IV
Independent groups
Where two or more separate groups of participants are used in an experiment, and each group takes part in one of the conditions.
Matched pairs
Where people with similar qualities are grouped into pairs, and each member of the pair takes part in a different condition.
Repeated measures
Where only one group of participants is used in an experiment and the group takes part in both conditions
Order effect
When a participants performance in the second condition of an experiment is affected because they have already done the first condition.
Non experimental methods
Correlational analysis Observations Case study Interviews Questionnaires
Eval of lab experiment
:) High level of control over variables which means extraneous variables are more likely to be controlled and therefore a cause and effect relationship can be established —> increases the internal validity
:) high reliably as it is tightly controlled, so can be easily repeated meaning the findings can be checked for consistency
——————————————
:( Lacks ecological validity as its done in a fake environment with a fake task so its difficult to generalize the results beyond the setting of a study
:( encourage demand characteristics where the participants change their behavior based on clues given off by the researcher —> less accurate results
Eval of field experiment
:) Less prone to demand characteristics as people might not know they are being watched —> behavior displayed is more natural (higher ecological validity)
:) Findings can be generalized beyond the setting of the study
——————————————
:( Little control so lacks reliability, because it is difficult to replicate the experiment
:( Ethical issue: lack of informed consent as people are not aware they are being studies
Eval of natural experiment
:) Participants do not display demand characteristics as they are not aware of the study, so behavior is natural —> More ecological validity
:) Able to generalize beyond the setting of the study
——————————————
:( Lacks reliability as there is little control meaning it is difficult to replicate the experiment
:( More difficult to establish cause and effect relationship between the IV and DV —-> less internal validity
Random allocation
Randomly assigning participants in different groups (used in independent measures design)
Counterbalancing
To combat order effects- the order of conditions are reversed for half the participants (B->A instead of A->B). This is only used in repeated measures design.
Eval of independent measures design
:) No order effects —> Higher reliability
:( Errors may occur due to individual differences (e.g age, gender, IQ) —> Reduced internal validity
Eval of repeated measured design
:) Individual differences between participants removed —> higher internal validity
:( Order effects —> Reduced reliability
Eval of matched pairs design
:) Controls the individual differences —> increasing internal validity
:( Very time consuming to match up similar participants
Random sampling
Every person in the target population has an equal chance of being selected
Opportunity sampling
Choosing people who are members of the target population and are available at that place and time
Systematic
Every nth member of the target population is selected
Stratified
Sub groups of the target population are identified then people are randomly selected from the subgroups in proportion to their numbers in the target population
Questionnaires
Research methods where participants give written responses to a set of questions which aim to study aspects such as attitudes, opinions or behaviors
When designing a questionnaire you should
Avoid ambitious questions (where the questions aren’t clear)
Avoid double barrel questions (where two questions are asked in one)
Explain complex terms so people can understand the questions
Don’t make assumptions (e.g what is your occupation-this could embarrass them)
Keep all responses confidential
Eval of questionnaires
:) Enable a researcher to obtain a large amount of data quickly and relatively cheaply compared to other research methods
:( This research method can be affected by demand characteristics as participants may respond to questions to be in line with what they believe the researcher expects
Interviews
A research method which is participants giving verbal responses to a researcher (usually face to face)
Structured interviews
- All the questions are pre-set before the interview is carried out
- Every interviewee is asked the same questions in the same order
- The interviewer cannot ask any extra questions based on information provided by the participants
- The questions are more likely to be closed questions
Unstructured interview
- The researcher has chosen the topic but the questions are not fixed so each interviewee gets different questions
- The questions are based on the responses of the interviewee
- The questions are more likely to be open questions
Eval of interviews
:) This research method enables the interviewer to obtain information on sensitive issues in detail
:( Interviews can be affected by demand characteristics as participants may try to work out the aims of the research and change their responses to what they feel the interviewer wants
Observations
A research method where a researcher observes and records a participants behavior to see how they respond in a given situation
Behavioral categories
The individual behaviors that are recorded as examples of the target behavior
Eval of observations
:) Natural behavior —> more representative of their behavior
:( Less control over observations so cause and effect annoy be fully established
Case studies
Detailed investigations carried out. A case study would use a variety of other methods to obtain data such as observations and interviews
When compiling a case study psychologies can use
- Interviews
- Results of experimental tasks
- School records and reports
- Medical records
- Physiological measures e.g brain scans
Eval of case studies
:) Enable in depth study of individuals or small groups
:( Hard to generalize from case studies because they focus on on individual or small group (unrepresentative)
Correlational analysis
A research method that aims to study the relationship between two or more variables
Positive correlation
As one variable increases, the other increases also
No correlation
There is no relationship between the two variables
Negative correlation
As one variable increases, the other variable decreases
Eval of correlational analysis
:) Can be used to identify whether a relationship exists between variables so it is useful in deciding is further experimental research should be carried out in a specific area
:( Another unknown variable may be responsible for the relationship so cause and effect cannot be established
Ethical issues
What can people do in psychology w- withdrawal c- confidentiality p- protection from harm d- deception i- informed consent
Withdrawal
Participants have the right to withdraw the study at any time
Confidentiality
The data collected should be confidential so people cannot be identified
Protection from harm
The risk of harm from participating in psychological research should be in more than the risk in ordinary life
Deception
People should not be misled about the true aims of the research
Informed consent
People should know what they are consenting to and must know what the study is about before consenting
How to deal with w
Keep reminding participants that they have the right to withdraw from the study. still give any rewards for taking part even if they leave early
How to deal with c
Ensure all personal information is kept safe and secret. Use initials or fake names
How to deal with p
Make sure all participants have given consent so they know what’s involved in the study
How to deal with d
Participants should be fully debriefed so they understand the true aim of the research
How to deal with i
Participants should be debriefed at the end of the study to ensure they understand the aim of the research
Experimental methods
Lab
Natural
Field
