Research Methods Flashcards
theory
explanation for behaviour, tested using objective research methods
aim
general statement explaining the purpose of a study (to investigate)
independent variable
deliberately changed
dependent variable
what is being measured
operationalisation
making variables clearly defined and measured
hypothesis
- clear and precise testable statement
- states the relationship between the variables being investigated
hypothesis
statement of a relationship between variables (there is a difference)
null hypothesis
statement of no relationship between variables (there is no difference)
cause and effect
the only thing that should cause a change in the DV is the IV
extraneous variables
- unwanted “extra variables” that may interfere with the relationship between the IV and DV
- can affect DV
what happens if extraneous variables aren’t controlled?
the researcher cannot truly know what caused the change in the DV
why are research procedures enforced?
its important to design studies in a systematic way in order to control possible extraneous variables
requirements for instructions to participants
- all participants must receive exactly the same information throughout an investigation (standardised)
- this ensure that what is said to participants doesn’t act as an EV
standardised procedures
- using the exact same methods and procedures for participants in a research study
- to control EVs
- only the IV should vary
randomisation
-using chance (eg.flipping a coin) to control effects of a bias when designing a study
demand characteristics
- characteristics of a study that may give away the purpose of the experiment
- participants might become aware of aim
- participants may change their behaviour to be seen in a better light/different way
experiments
looks at a measurable change in the DV caused by a change to the IV
(quantitative approach
lab experiment (type of experiment)
- experimenter has a high control over what happens
- takes place in a laboratory
evaluate the use of lab experiments
strengths:
weaknesses:
-behaviour in a lab is less “normal”-difficult to generalise
-participants may change their behavior (they’re aware that they’re being watched)
field experiment (type of experiment)
- takes place in a natural setting
- IV is manipulated by experimenter
evaluate the use of field experiments
strengths:
-more realistic than lab experiments (natural environment)
-can use standardised procedures (some control)
weaknesses:
-may lose control of EVs (difficult to show cause and effect)
-ethical issues (participants aren’t aware of the study
natural experiment (type of experiment)
- takes place in a natural setting
- IV isn’t changed by experimenter (naturally occurring)
evaluate the use of natural experiments
strengths:
-high validity (due to the real world variables)
-can standardise procedures (some control over EVs)
weaknesses:
-few opportunities to do this kind of research as behaviours may be rare
-may be EVs (due to the fact that participants aren’t randomly allocated to conditions)
experimental designs
different ways participants can be organised in relation to IVs/conditions of the experiment
order effects
EV arising from the order in which conditions are presented (in repeated measures)
independent groups (experimental design)
- different group of participants for each level of the IV (condition)
- control and experimental group
evaluate the use of independent groups
strengths: order effects aren't a problem because participants only do the experiment once weaknesses: -different participants in each group -participant variables can act as an EV
participant variable
differing individual characteristics of participants
how do you deal with participant variables?
allocation: using chance or a systematic method to allocate participants to conditions, this way the researcher doesn’t influence who goes in each group and also makes participant variables even across the different conditions
repeated measures (experimental design)
all participants take part in all levels of the IV
evaluate the use of repeated measures
strengths:
-no participant variables
-fewer participants needed so its less expensive
weakness:
order effects reduce validity (eg. practice effect: participants may do better the second time)
how do you deal with order effects?
counterbalancing: half the participants do the conditions in one order, other half do the opposite order
matched pairs
- participants tested on variables relevant to the study
- participants are matched, and one member of each pair goes into each condition
evaluate the use of matched pairs
strengths: -no order effects -fewer participant variables weaknesses: -takes time to match participants -doesn't control all participant variables
sample
subset of target population which aims to be representative of that population-aims to avoid bias
sampling method
system used to produce sample
target population
group that the researcher is interested in studying
purpose is to be able to generalise all findings/results to the target population
research bias
process where the scientists performing the research influence the results in order to to portray a certain outcome
random sampling
- each person has equal chance of selection
- numbers of target population in hat/number generator
evaluate the use of random sampling
strengths:
-no bias (because everyone has an equal chance of selection)
weaknesses:
-takes time (have to make a list of members of the target population)
opportunity sampling
selecting people that are available
evaluate the use of opportunity sampling
strengths:
quick+cheap (participants are just there)
weaknesses:
only represents the population from which it was drawn
systematic sampling
selecting every nth person from a list of the target population
evaluate the use of systematic sampling
strengths:
avoids researcher bias
weaknesses:
may end up with unrepresentative
stratified sampling
selecting participants in proportion to frequency in target population
evaluate the use of stratified sampling
strengths:
very representative
weaknesses:
very time-consuming to sort sub-groups
what is the issue with psychological studies?
conflict between participants’ rights and well-being and the need to gain valuable results
informed consent
participants must be told comprehensive information (nature, purpose and role) at the beginning and they can make an informed decision about whether or not they want to take part (consent)
right to withdraw
they should be told that they can leave the investigation at any time they wish