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Psychology > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Experimental Method

A

The manipulation of the IV to measure the effect on the DV in an experiment.

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2
Q

Aim

A

A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate. The purpose of the study.

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3
Q

Hypothesis

A

A testable statement stated before a study begins that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated.

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4
Q

Directional Hypothesis

A

A hypothesis that states the direction of the relationship between the variables. Is used when the object of the study has been studied before.

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5
Q

Non-directional Hypothesis

A

A hypothesis that does not state the direction. Is used when the object of the study has not been studied before.

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6
Q

Variables

A

An object, person or state that can change or vary within an investigation. Variables are used to determine if change on a variable effects change on another variable.

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7
Q

Independent Variable

A

A variable of the experiment that is manipulated by the researcher or changes naturally, independently of the other variables, to measure the effect on the DV.

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8
Q

Dependent Variable

A

Variable that is measured by the researcher. Expected to be effected by the IV.

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9
Q

Operationalisation

A

Process of clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured.

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10
Q

Extraneous Variables

A

“Nuisance” variables that the researcher is not interested in investigating but could have an effect on the DV if not controlled.. Gets in the way of measuring the IV’s effect on the DV.

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11
Q

Confounding variables

A

Variables other than the IV that can affect the DV. Makes it unclear whether the source of change came only from the IV.

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12
Q

Demand Characteristics

A

Cues from the researcher or situation that the participant interprets as revealing the aim of the investigation. Can lead to conscious or unconscious change in the participant’s behaviour.

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13
Q

Investigator Effects

A

Effect of the researcher’s unconscious or conscious behaviour on the DV and thus research outcome.

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14
Q

Randomisation

A

Using chance to eliminate the possibility of bias when making decisions for the experiments design.

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15
Q

Standardisation

A

The use of the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants within a study to decrease the possibility of extraneous variables

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16
Q

Experimental Design

A

The different ways in which the testing of participants can be organised in relation to the experimental conditions.

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17
Q

Independent Groups Design

A

Participants are allocated to different groups where each group represents one experiment condition

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18
Q

Repeated Measures

A

All participants take part in all conditions of the experiment.

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19
Q

Matched Pairs Design

A

Pairs of participants are matched on some variable that may affect the DV. One member is then assigned to one experimental condition and the other to another condition.

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20
Q

Random Allocation

A

The use of chance to control for participant variables in an independent groups design. Ensures each participant has the same chance of being in one condition as any other.

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21
Q

Counterbalancing

A

The use of splitting the participants experience in half to control for the effects of order in a repeated measure. Half experience the conditions in one order and the other half in the opposite or a different order.

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22
Q

Laboratory Experiment

A

An experiment taking place in a controlled environment. The researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV. Maintains strict control of extraneous variables.

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23
Q

Field Experiment

A

An experiment taking place in a natural setting. The researcher manipulates the IV and records the effects on the DV.

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24
Q

Natural Experiment

A

An experiment where the IV is not manipulated by the researcher as the change occurs naturally. The researcher records the effect on the DV.

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25
Q

Quasi-Experiment

A

A study that is almost an experiment but lacks specification of what the IV is. The variables exist on their own and are observed. Technically not an experiment.

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26
Q

Population

A

A group of people who will be the focus of the research and from which a sample will be picked from.

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27
Q

Sample

A

A group of people who take part in a research investigation. Samples are drawn from a population and presumed to be representative of that population.

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28
Q

Sampling Techniques

A

The method used to select people from that population

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29
Q

Stratified Sample

A

When the composition of the sample reflects the proportions of people in certain sub-groups within the target population or whole population.

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30
Q

Opportunity Sample

A

When researchers decide to select anyone who happens to be willing and available.

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31
Q

Volunteer Sample

A

When participants select themselves to be part of the sample.

32
Q

Random Sample

A

When members are selected from a lottery method out of the entire target population.

33
Q

Systematic Sample

A

When every nth member of the target population is selected.

34
Q

Bias

A

In sampling, when some groups may be over over or under-represented within the sample. Limits the extent to which generalization can be made to the population.

35
Q

Generalisation

A

The extent to which findings and conclusions from an investigation can be broadly applied to a population.

36
Q

Ethical Issues

A

Issues that arise when a conflict exists between the rights of the participants in research studies and the goals of research to produce valid and worthwhile data.

37
Q

BPS Code of Ethics

A

A quasi-legal document produced by the British Psychological Society. Instructs psychologists about what behaviour is and is no acceptable when dealing with participants. Built around respect, competence, responsibility and integrity.

38
Q

Informed Consent

A

Knowing what you are getting into before getting into it. Involves making participants aware of the aims of the research, procedure, their rights and what their data will be used for.

39
Q

Participant Observation

A

The researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour they are watching and recording.

40
Q

Non-participant Observation

A

The researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour they are watching and recording.

41
Q

Behavioural Categories

A

When a target behaviour is broken up into components that are observable and measurable.

42
Q

Event Sampling

A

A target behaviour or event is first established then the researcher records this event every time it occurs.

43
Q

Time Sampling

A

A target individual or group is first established then the researcher records their behaviour in a fixed time frame.

44
Q

Self-report Technique

A

Any method in which a person is asked to state or explain their own feelings, opinions, experiences or behaviours on a given topic.

45
Q

Questionnaire

A

A set of written questions used to asses a person’s thoughts and experiences.

46
Q

Interview

A

A live encounter between the interviewer and the inerviewee. The interviewer asks questions in order to assess the thoughts and experiences of an interviewee. Can be structured or unstructured.

47
Q

Structured Interviews

A

An interview made up of pre-determined questions asked in a fixed order.

48
Q

Unstructured Interviews

A

An interview with no set questions. There is a general aim to discuss a topic but interaction is free-flowing. Expanding and elaborating answers is encouraged by the interviewer.

49
Q

Semi-structured Interviews

A

A mix of the two, there is a list of questions that have been worked out in advance but interviews are free to ask follow-up questions.

50
Q

Open Questions

A

Questions for which there is no fixed choice of response, respondents can answer in any way they wish.

51
Q

Closed Questions

A

Questions for which there is a fixed choice of responses, determined by the question setter.

52
Q

Likert Scales

A

A scale in which respondents indicate their agreement or disagreement with a statement. Usually ranges over five points.

53
Q

Rating Scales

A

A scale that gets respondents to identify a value that represents their strength or feeling about a particular topic.

54
Q

Fixed Choice Option

A

A list of possible options and respondents are required to indicate those that apply to them.

55
Q

Correlation

A

A mathematical technique in which a researcher investigated an association between two variables. Not concerned with trying to show a cause and effect relationship.

56
Q

Co-variables

A

The variables investigated within a correlation. Not referred to as IV or DV.

57
Q

Positive correlation

A

As one co-variable increases, another increases.

58
Q

Negative correlation

A

As one co-variable increases, another decreases.

59
Q

Zero correlation

A

No relationship between the co-variables.

60
Q

Qualitative Data

A

Data that is expressed in words and non-numerical ways.

61
Q

Quantitative Data

A

Data that can be counted as given numbers.

62
Q

Primary Data

A

Information that has been obtained first-hand by a researcher for the purpose of a study. Gathered directly from participants, self-report or observation.

63
Q

Secondary Data

A

Information on a topic that has already been collected by someone who came before the current research project. Past studies or government statistics.

64
Q

Meta-analysis

A

Combining results from a number of studies on one topic to provide an overall view. May involve qualitative review of conclusions or quantitative analysis of the results.

65
Q

Descriptive Statistics

A

The use of graphs, tables and summary statistics to identify trends and analyse data.

66
Q

Measures of central tendency

A

The general term for any measure of the average value in a set of data.

67
Q

Mean

A

The arithmetic average calculated by adding up all the values in a set of data and dividing it by the number of values there are.

68
Q

Median

A

The central value in a set of data when values are arranged from lowest to highest.

69
Q

Mode

A

The most frequently occurring value in a set of data.

70
Q

Scattergram

A

A type of graph that represents the strength and direction of a relationship between co-variables in a correlational analysis.

71
Q

Bar Charts

A

A type of graph in which the frequency of each variable is represented by the height of a each bar.

72
Q

Statistical Testing

A

A way of determining whether hypotheses should be accepted or rejected. Tells us whether differences or relationships between variables are statistically significant.

73
Q

Sign Test

A

A statistical test used to analyse the difference in scores between related items. Data should be nominal or better.

74
Q

Peer Review

A

The assessment of scientific work by others who are specialists in the same field to ensure that any research intended for publication is of high quality.

75
Q

Economy

A

The state of a country or region in terms of production and consumption of goods and services.

Psychology (9 decks)

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