Research methods Flashcards
What is an aim?
The purpose of a study, what the researcher intends to investigate
What is a directional hypothesis?
Shows the direction of the relationship between the variables
What is a non-directional hypothesis?
Does not show direction/difference between the variables
What is the experimental method?
Manipulation of the independent variable to see what effect this has on the dependent variable
When is it suitable to use a directional hypothesis?
When there is previous research which suggests a particular outcome
When is it suitable to use a non directional hypothesis?
When there is no previous research on what is being studied
What is the operationalisation of variables?
Clearly defining variables so they can be measured in an experiment
e.g- Anger: punching, screaming, kicking, shouting
What are extraneous variables?
Only thing that should influence the DV is the IV
Extraneous variables influence the DV/IV if not controlled, they do not vary systematically with the IV
What are confounding variables?
Like an extraneous variable but confounding variables do vary systematically with the IV. As a result it is difficult to see if change in the DV is caused by the IV or confounding variable.
What are demand characteristics?
Cues from the researcher or research situation that reveal the purpose of the experiment therefore participants may change their behaviour in order to meet the aims of the study.
What are investigator effects?
Any effect of the investigators behaviour on the DV such as the design of the study or interaction with participants during the study.
What is randomisation?
Use of chance methods to control bias effects when designing a study (to be able to control investigator effects)
What is standardisation?
Using all the same procedures and instructions throughout the study to all participants.
What are experimental designs?
How participants are arranged in experiments.
What are independent groups?
Two separate groups experience two separate conditions to allow for a comparison
What are the evaluations of independent groups?
Strengths:
Order effects are not a problem
Participants are less likely to guess the aims of the study as thy do not perform more than one condition of the experiment
Limitations:
Time consuming and costly compared to repeated measures design as each participant contributes to one single result
Differences between participants in the same groups (acts as a confounding variable) so researcher may not know if the DV has affected the IV
What are repeated measures?
All participants take part in all conditions of the experiment
What are the evaluations of repeated measures?
Strengths:
Participant variables are controlled -> higher validity
Fewer participants are needed so less time consuming when recruiting people
Limitations:
Order may be important in which participants do the tasks
Order effects can come about as participants may be bored/tired which affects their performance
What are matched pairs?
Participants are paired together based on a variable that can affect the dependant variable
What are the evaluations of matched pairs?
Strengths:
Order effects/demand characteristics are not a big problem as participants only take part in one condition
Weaknesses:
Participants can never be matched exactly which can have an effect on the DV
Can be time consuming if a pre test is required and to match all participants together
What is counterbalancing?
Attempt to control for the order effects in a repeated design - half of participants experience the conditions in one order and the other half in the opposite order
What are the different types of experiments?
Lab, Field, Quasi and Natural
What is a lab experiment?
Takes place in a highly controlled environment where the researcher manipulates the IV to see the effect on the DV as well as controlling any extraneous variables
What are the evaluations of lab experiments?
Strengths:
Control over confounding variables and extraneous variables so there is high internal validity (researcher can make sure the IV is the only thing having an affect on the DV)
Easy to replicate
Limitations
Lack of generalisability as the environment isn’t likely to be natural and more artificial compared to everyday life -> participants may behave unusually (low external validity)
Problem of demand characteristics as they may know they are being tested