Research Methods Flashcards
Aim [definition]:
A statement of what the researcher intends to find out in a research study.
For example: Investigating the effect of caffeine on memory
Debriefing [definition]:
A post-research interview designed to inform participants of the true nature of the study and to restore them to the state they were at the start of the study
How is debriefing useful? [2]:
- It is a means of dealing with ethical issues
- Can be used to get feedback on the procedures of the study
Independent variable [definition]:
The variable that changes in an experiment
Dependent variable [definition]:
Dependent on the independent variable
Control variable [definition]:
The one that doesn’t change
Confounding Variable [definition]:
A variable under the study that is not the IV but varies systematically with the IV
Extraneous variables [3]:
- Do NOT vary systematically with the IV
- They do not act as an alternative IV but instead have an effect on the DV
- They are nuisance variables
Internal validity [definition]:
The degree to which an observed effect was due to the experimental manipulation rather than other factors such as confounding/extraneous variables
External validity [definition]:
The degree to which a research finding can be generalised to other settings (ecological validity)
Validity vs Reliability:
Reliability = consistency of a measure Validity= accuracy of a measure
Confederate [2]:
An individual in a study who has been instructed how to behave, by the researcher
- In stanford prison experiment
Directional hypothesis [2]:
- States the direction of the predicted difference between two conditions
- example: Women will have higher scores than men will on Hudson’s self-esteem scale
Non-directional hypothesis [2]:
- Predicts simply that there is a difference between conditions of the iv
- There will be no difference between men’s scores and women’s scores on Hudson’s self-esteem scale
Pilot study [definition]:
- A small-scale trial run of a study to test any aspects of the design, to make improvements before the final study
When do psychologists use a directional hypothesis?
When past research suggests that the findings will go in a particular direction
When is a non-directional hypothesis used?
When there is no past research on the topic studied or past research is contradictory
What are 3 types of experimental design?
- Repeated measure design
- Independent measure design
- Matched pairs design
Repeated measures design [3]:
ALL participants experience ALL levels of the IV
+ Participant variables are reduced since its the same person
+ Fewer people are needed as they take part in all conditions
Limitations of repeated measure design [2]:
- Order effects e.g getting tired. Can be avoided by using counterbalance
- Participants may guess the aim of the experiment and behave a certain way e.g purposely do worse in the second half. Can be avoided by using a cover story
Independent measure design [2]:
Participants are placed in separate groups and only experience one level of the IV each
+ Avoids order effects
Limitations of independent measure design [2]:
- Participant variables e.g different abilities or characteristics [participants are randomly allocated]
- Needs more participants than repeated measure
Matched pairs design [3]:
Participants are matched by key characteristics or abilities, related to the study
+ Reduces participant variables
+ Reduces order effects
Limitations of matched pairs design [3]:
- If one participant drops out you lose 2 PPs’ data
- Very time-consuming trying to find closely matched pairs
- Impossible to match people exactly