Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Levels of the independent variable

A

the level of the IV is the number of different versions of the IV there are in an experiment

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2
Q

Independent variable

A

the IV is the variable the researcher is changing.

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3
Q

Dependent variable

A

the DV is the variable the researcher is measuring.

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4
Q

Operationalisation

A

operationalisation is when we define exactly how a variable is going to be measured

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5
Q

Extraneous variable

A

An extraneous variable is something other than the IV which affects the DV

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6
Q

How should scientists limit the effects of extraneous variable

A

Scientists try to control the extraneous variables

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7
Q

Confounding variable

A

A confounding variable is a type of extraneous variable that varies according to the level of the IV

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8
Q

What are the 2 ways in which a study can lack validity

A

A study lacks validity:
when a test doesn’t measure what it claims to measure, or
when confounding or extraneous variables affect the measurement

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9
Q

Face validity

A

Face validity is assessed by looking at a test to decide if it appears to measure what it claims to be measuring

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10
Q

Concurrent validity

A

Concurrent validity is assessed by comparing results from one test to results of another test measuring the same behaviour known to be valid

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11
Q

Participant variable

A

when the personal characteristics of a participant influence their behaviour and responses during a study

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12
Q

Situational variable

A

refers to anything external to the participant or researcher that may affect the results of the study

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13
Q

Investigator effects

A

Investigator effects occur when a researcher influences the results of their study

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14
Q

Demand characteristics

A

Demand characteristics are aspects of the study which lead participants to guess the aim of the study and form expectations about how they should behave

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15
Q

Standardisation

A

Standardisation is a way to control for extraneous variables, by making the procedures and extraneous variables the same for all participants

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16
Q

Matching

A

Matching is a way to control for participant variables, by making the experimental group and control group have similar characteristics

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17
Q

Random allocation

A

Random allocation is way to control for participant variables, by assigning participants at random to either the experimental or control group

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18
Q

A single blind study

A

In a single blind study, participants are not aware of which experimental group they are in, but the researcher is aware

19
Q

Double blind study

A

In a double blind study, both the active researcher and participant are not aware of which experimental group the participant is in

21
Q

What is the difference between opportunity sampling and volunteer sampling

A

In volunteer sampling, an advert is put out by researchers and participants approach them to be part of a study.
Opportunity sampling involves the researcher approaching participants who are willing available at the time to be part of a study

22
Q

What are the pros and cons of opportunity and volunteer sampling

A

Opportunity and volunteer sampling are quick and easy ways to sample, but the sample will be unrepresentative of a population.
Volunteer sampling is easier than opportunity sampling.
Opportunity sampling is more representative.

23
Q

Why is random sampling more representative of a population than volunteer and opportunity sampling

A

because it involves a list of the entire population and every member has an equal chance of being selected

24
Q

In what ways is random sampling difficult

A

Volunteer sampling is the most difficult form of sampling because it involves a list and a way to randomise it. (randomisation does not guarantee the representation of a population either)

25
Q

The scientific process

A

(1) 🎯 Aim
(2) 🤔 Hypothesis
(3) 🧪 Method
(4) 📝 Results
(5) 📜 Conclusion

26
Q

Aim

A

🎯 a statement which gives the reason or purpose for carrying out an experiment (always starts with ‘to’)

27
Q

Hypothesis

A

🤔 a prediction about what you expect to happen in the experiment

28
Q

Method

A

🧪the process the researcher follows to conduct the experiment

29
Q

Results

A

📝the changes observed in the experiment

30
Q

Conclusion

A

📜the interpretation of the results of the study

31
Q

Seven features of science

A

(1) hypothesis testing
(2) empirical evidence
(3) falsifiability
(4) replicability
(5) control
(6) objectivity
(7) theory construction

32
Q

Hypothesis testing

A

refers to using the scientific process to test our hypotheses

33
Q

Empirical evidence

A

when the hypothesis we are testing can be proved false

34
Q

Replicability & when has a researcher replicated a study

A

For a study to be replicable, it must be described in sufficient detail to enable other researchers to repeat the study.

If other researchers repeat the study and get the same results, the study has replicated

35
Q

Control

A

Control in an experiment can refer to

(a) whether the experiment is using a control group to compare with the experimental group
(b) whether extraneous variables have been controlled

36
Q

Objectivity

A

🗿 when a researcher does not allow their personal bias to affect how they carry out the experiment

37
Q

Theory construction

A

🙋🏼‍♂️

38
Q

What is meant by concurrent validity?

A

Concurrent validity refers to whether a test shows similar results to another test, that is already known to be valid, and that aims to measure the same thing.

39
Q

What is vicarious reinforcement?

A

When someone imitates a model because they observe the model’s behaviour being rewarded

40
Q

What is vicarious punishment?

A

Vicarious punishment is when someone is less likely to imitate a model because they observe the model’s behaviour being punished?

41
Q

What is meant by demand characteristics?

A

Demand characteristics are aspects of the study which lead participants to guess the aim of the study and form expectations about how they should behave

42
Q

What is meant by standardisation?

A

Standardisation is a way to control for extraneous variables, by making the procedures and extraneous variables the same for all participants.

43
Q

What is meant by the observational technique?

A

Observational techniques are when researchers observe participants and measure or record their behaviour.

44
Q

What is meant by a controlled observation?

A

A controlled observation is when researchers conduct observations of participants in a controlled environment

45
Q

What is meant by a naturalistic observation?

A

A naturalistic observation is when researchers observe and record participants’ behaviour in an everyday life setting, as they go about their daily lives