Research Methods Flashcards
Levels of the independent variable
the level of the IV is the number of different versions of the IV there are in an experiment
Independent variable
the IV is the variable the researcher is changing.
Dependent variable
the DV is the variable the researcher is measuring.
Operationalisation
operationalisation is when we define exactly how a variable is going to be measured
Extraneous variable
An extraneous variable is something other than the IV which affects the DV
How should scientists limit the effects of extraneous variable
Scientists try to control the extraneous variables
Confounding variable
A confounding variable is a type of extraneous variable that varies according to the level of the IV
What are the 2 ways in which a study can lack validity
A study lacks validity:
when a test doesn’t measure what it claims to measure, or
when confounding or extraneous variables affect the measurement
Face validity
Face validity is assessed by looking at a test to decide if it appears to measure what it claims to be measuring
Concurrent validity
Concurrent validity is assessed by comparing results from one test to results of another test measuring the same behaviour known to be valid
Participant variable
when the personal characteristics of a participant influence their behaviour and responses during a study
Situational variable
refers to anything external to the participant or researcher that may affect the results of the study
Investigator effects
Investigator effects occur when a researcher influences the results of their study
Demand characteristics
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
Standardisation
Standardisation is a way to control for extraneous variables, by making the procedures and extraneous variables the same for all participants
Matching
Matching is a way to control for participant variables, by making the experimental group and control group have similar characteristics
Random allocation
Random allocation is way to control for participant variables, by assigning participants at random to either the experimental or control group
A single blind study
In a single blind study, participants are not aware of which experimental group they are in, but the researcher is aware
Double blind study
In a double blind study, both the active researcher and participant are not aware of which experimental group the participant is in
What is the difference between opportunity sampling and volunteer sampling
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
What are the pros and cons of opportunity and volunteer sampling
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.
Why is random sampling more representative of a population than volunteer and opportunity sampling
because it involves a list of the entire population and every member has an equal chance of being selected
In what ways is random sampling difficult
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)
The scientific process
(1) 🎯 Aim
(2) 🤔 Hypothesis
(3) 🧪 Method
(4) 📝 Results
(5) 📜 Conclusion
Aim
🎯 a statement which gives the reason or purpose for carrying out an experiment (always starts with ‘to’)
Hypothesis
🤔 a prediction about what you expect to happen in the experiment
Method
🧪the process the researcher follows to conduct the experiment
Results
📝the changes observed in the experiment
Conclusion
📜the interpretation of the results of the study
Seven features of science
(1) hypothesis testing
(2) empirical evidence
(3) falsifiability
(4) replicability
(5) control
(6) objectivity
(7) theory construction
Hypothesis testing
refers to using the scientific process to test our hypotheses
Empirical evidence
when the hypothesis we are testing can be proved false
Replicability & when has a researcher replicated a study
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
Control
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
Objectivity
🗿 when a researcher does not allow their personal bias to affect how they carry out the experiment
Theory construction
🙋🏼♂️
What is meant by concurrent validity?
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.
What is vicarious reinforcement?
When someone imitates a model because they observe the model’s behaviour being rewarded
What is vicarious punishment?
Vicarious punishment is when someone is less likely to imitate a model because they observe the model’s behaviour being punished?
What is meant by demand characteristics?
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
What is meant by standardisation?
Standardisation is a way to control for extraneous variables, by making the procedures and extraneous variables the same for all participants.
What is meant by the observational technique?
Observational techniques are when researchers observe participants and measure or record their behaviour.
What is meant by a controlled observation?
A controlled observation is when researchers conduct observations of participants in a controlled environment
What is meant by a naturalistic observation?
A naturalistic observation is when researchers observe and record participants’ behaviour in an everyday life setting, as they go about their daily lives
