Research methods A1 Flashcards
Define experimental design
Involves the manipulation of the IV to measure the effect on the DV
-experiments can be lab, field, natural or quasi
Define aim
A general statement. stating what the researcher intends to investigate/ purpose of the study
define hypothesis
A statement, that states the relationship between 2 variables
What are the 2 types of hypothesis?
directional
non-directional
define directional hypothesis
States the direction of the relationship/difference
e.g. more than/less than
define non-directional hypothesis
does not state the direction of the relationship/difference
What is an IV?
Independent variable, something the researcher changes
What is a DV?
Dependent variable, something you measure
What is a CV?
Control variable, something you keep the same
Define operationalisation
Clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured
Define extraneous variables (EV)
Any variable other than the IV, that may affect the DV
Nuisance variables
Define confounding variables (CV)
Kind of EV, but CV varies systematically with IV
Define demand characteristics
Participant’s find out aim of study or part of the purpose and subsequently changing their behavior to match the aim of the study/ what they think researcher will want
Define randomisation
The use of chance methods to control for effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of experimental conditions
Define standardisation
Using exactly the same format of procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study
What are the 3 experimental designs?
Independent groups design
Matched pairs design
Repeated measures
What is an independent groups design?
When 2 separate groups of participants experience 2 different conditions of the experiment
What is a repeated measures design?
All participants take part in all conditions of the experiment
What is a matched pairs design?
Participants are paired together on a variable/variables, relevant to the experiment
e.g. IQ
Define random allocation in terms of IG design
-Attempt to control for participant variables
-ensures each participant has the same chance of being in one condition as any other
Define counterbalancing in terms of RM design
-Attempt to control for the effects of order
-Half the participants experience the conditions in one order, and the other half in the opposite order
Name 4 types of experiment
-Laboratory
-Field
-Natural
-Quasi
What is a laboratory experiment?
Conducted in a highly controlled environment
What are the strengths of a lab experiment?
-High control over confounding variables (CVs) and extraneous variables (EVs)
-Any effect on DV = likely due to manipulation of IV
-High internal validity
-Replication is more possible (important, helps check if results are valid)
What are the limitations of a lab experiment?
-May lack generalisability
-Low external validity
-Demand characteristics
-Low mundane realism
What is a field experiment?
The researcher goes to the participants’ usual environment, rather than in a lab
What are the strengths of a field experiment?
-Higher mundane realism
-Produce behaviour that is more valid/authentic
-High external validity
What are the limitations of a field experiment?
-Loss of control of CVs and EVs
-Cause and effect of IV and DV = more difficult to establish
-Ethical issues (not informed consent/no privacy)
What is a natural experiment?
The researcher has no control over the IV and cannot change it
What are the strengths of a natural experiment?
-High external validity
-Provide an opportunity for research to be carried out, that otherwise wouldn’t be (e.g. Romanian Orphans)
What are the limitations of a natural experiment?
-Generalisabililty
-Participants may not be randomly allocated to experimental conditions (only applies when there is an IV)
What is a quasi experiment?
Based on an existing difference between people (e.g. Age, gender, IQ etc.)
What is a strength of a quasi experiment?
-Carried out under controlled conditions (strength = replication)
What are the limitations of a quasi experiment?
-Cannot randomly allocate participants to conditions , CVs may exist
-IV = not deliberately changed by researcher = cannot claim that IV has caused any observed change
What are the 5 types of sampling techniques?
-Random
-Systematic
-Stratified
-Opportunity
-Volunteer
What is random sampling?
Each member of the population has an equal chance of being chosen
What is systematic sampling?
Every nth member of the population is chosen
What is stratified sampling?
The sample reflects the proportions of people in certain subgroups (strata) within the target population/or wider population
What is opportunity sampling?
Decide who to select by anyone who happens to be willing/available
What is volunteer sampling?
Participants select themselves to be part of sample, referred to as self-selection
What are the 6 ethical issues?
-Informed consent
-Confidentiality
-Deception
-Debrief
-Right to withdraw
-Protection from psychological/physical harm
What are the 6 ethical issues?
-Informed consent
-Confidentiality
-Deception
-Debrief
-Right to withdraw
-Protection from psychological/physical harm
Define a pilot study
A small-scale version of an investigation that takes place before the real investigation is conducted
Name the 6 types of observational techniques
-Naturalistic
-Controlled
-Covert
-Obvert
-Participant
-Non-Participant
Define naturalistic observation
Watching and recording behaviour in someone’s natural setting/ where behaviour would usually occur
Define controlled observation
Watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment
Define covert observation
Where participants do not know they are being watched
i.e. covert has the word COVER in it, cover = cannot see something
issue = lack of informed consent
Define overt observation
Where participants do know they are being watched and consent is obtained
issue = demand characteristics
Define participant observation
The researcher becomes a member of the group they are studying
Define non-participant observation
The researcher is not part of the group they are studying, they remain outside of group
In an observational design, what is a behaviour category?
A target behaviour is broken down into smaller components that are observable and measurable (operationalisation)
Define event sampling
-Target behaviour = established
-Then researcher records this event every time it occurs
Define time sampling
-Target individual/group = established
-Then researcher records their behaviour in a fixed time frame e.g every 60 secs
What are the 3 types of interviews?
-Structured
-Unstructured
-Semi-structured
Define correlation
It investigates the relationship/association between 2 co-variables
Define positive (+ve) correlation
As one co-variable INCREASES so does the other
e.g number of people in a room and noise
Define negative (-ve) correlation
As one co-variable INCREASES the other DECREASES
e.g number of people in a room and amount of personal space
Define zero (0) correlation
There is no relationship between the 2 co-variables
e.g The number of people in a room in Manchester and the total daily rainfall in Peru
Define Meta-analysis
Combining the findings from a number of studies, on a particular topic
Define what a measure of central tendency is
A measure of the average
Name the measures of central tendency
-Mean
-Median
-Mode
Names the measures of dispersion
-Range
-IQR
-Standard deviation
What is another name for a one-tailed hypothesis?
Directional hypothesis
What is another name for a two-tailed hypothesis?
Non-directional hypothesis
