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yr 12 psychology revision > Research methods A1 > Flashcards

Research methods A1 Flashcards

1
Q

Define experimental design

A

Involves the manipulation of the IV to measure the effect on the DV

-experiments can be lab, field, natural or quasi

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2
Q

Define aim

A

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

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3
Q

define hypothesis

A

A statement, that states the relationship between 2 variables

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4
Q

What are the 2 types of hypothesis?

A

directional
non-directional

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5
Q

define directional hypothesis

A

States the direction of the relationship/difference
e.g. more than/less than

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6
Q

define non-directional hypothesis

A

does not state the direction of the relationship/difference

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7
Q

What is an IV?

A

Independent variable, something the researcher changes

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8
Q

What is a DV?

A

Dependent variable, something you measure

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9
Q

What is a CV?

A

Control variable, something you keep the same

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10
Q

Define operationalisation

A

Clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured

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11
Q

Define extraneous variables (EV)

A

Any variable other than the IV, that may affect the DV

Nuisance variables

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12
Q

Define confounding variables (CV)

A

Kind of EV, but CV varies systematically with IV

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13
Q

Define demand characteristics

A

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

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14
Q

Define randomisation

A

The use of chance methods to control for effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of experimental conditions

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15
Q

Define standardisation

A

Using exactly the same format of procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study

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16
Q

What are the 3 experimental designs?

A

Independent groups design
Matched pairs design
Repeated measures

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17
Q

What is an independent groups design?

A

When 2 separate groups of participants experience 2 different conditions of the experiment

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18
Q

What is a repeated measures design?

A

All participants take part in all conditions of the experiment

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19
Q

What is a matched pairs design?

A

Participants are paired together on a variable/variables, relevant to the experiment

e.g. IQ

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20
Q

Define random allocation in terms of IG design

A

-Attempt to control for participant variables
-ensures each participant has the same chance of being in one condition as any other

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21
Q

Define counterbalancing in terms of RM design

A

-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

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22
Q

Name 4 types of experiment

A

-Laboratory
-Field
-Natural
-Quasi

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23
Q

What is a laboratory experiment?

A

Conducted in a highly controlled environment

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24
Q

What are the strengths of a lab experiment?

A

-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)

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25
Q

What are the limitations of a lab experiment?

A

-May lack generalisability

-Low external validity

-Demand characteristics

-Low mundane realism

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26
Q

What is a field experiment?

A

The researcher goes to the participants’ usual environment, rather than in a lab

27
Q

What are the strengths of a field experiment?

A

-Higher mundane realism
-Produce behaviour that is more valid/authentic
-High external validity

28
Q

What are the limitations of a field experiment?

A

-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)

29
Q

What is a natural experiment?

A

The researcher has no control over the IV and cannot change it

30
Q

What are the strengths of a natural experiment?

A

-High external validity
-Provide an opportunity for research to be carried out, that otherwise wouldn’t be (e.g. Romanian Orphans)

31
Q

What are the limitations of a natural experiment?

A

-Generalisabililty
-Participants may not be randomly allocated to experimental conditions (only applies when there is an IV)

32
Q

What is a quasi experiment?

A

Based on an existing difference between people (e.g. Age, gender, IQ etc.)

33
Q

What is a strength of a quasi experiment?

A

-Carried out under controlled conditions (strength = replication)

34
Q

What are the limitations of a quasi experiment?

A

-Cannot randomly allocate participants to conditions , CVs may exist
-IV = not deliberately changed by researcher = cannot claim that IV has caused any observed change

35
Q

What are the 5 types of sampling techniques?

A

-Random
-Systematic
-Stratified
-Opportunity
-Volunteer

36
Q

What is random sampling?

A

Each member of the population has an equal chance of being chosen

37
Q

What is systematic sampling?

A

Every nth member of the population is chosen

38
Q

What is stratified sampling?

A

The sample reflects the proportions of people in certain subgroups (strata) within the target population/or wider population

39
Q

What is opportunity sampling?

A

Decide who to select by anyone who happens to be willing/available

40
Q

What is volunteer sampling?

A

Participants select themselves to be part of sample, referred to as self-selection

41
Q

What are the 6 ethical issues?

A

-Informed consent
-Confidentiality
-Deception
-Debrief
-Right to withdraw
-Protection from psychological/physical harm

41
Q

What are the 6 ethical issues?

A

-Informed consent
-Confidentiality
-Deception
-Debrief
-Right to withdraw
-Protection from psychological/physical harm

42
Q

Define a pilot study

A

A small-scale version of an investigation that takes place before the real investigation is conducted

43
Q

Name the 6 types of observational techniques

A

-Naturalistic
-Controlled
-Covert
-Obvert
-Participant
-Non-Participant

44
Q

Define naturalistic observation

A

Watching and recording behaviour in someone’s natural setting/ where behaviour would usually occur

45
Q

Define controlled observation

A

Watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment

46
Q

Define covert observation

A

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

47
Q

Define overt observation

A

Where participants do know they are being watched and consent is obtained

issue = demand characteristics

48
Q

Define participant observation

A

The researcher becomes a member of the group they are studying

49
Q

Define non-participant observation

A

The researcher is not part of the group they are studying, they remain outside of group

50
Q

In an observational design, what is a behaviour category?

A

A target behaviour is broken down into smaller components that are observable and measurable (operationalisation)

51
Q

Define event sampling

A

-Target behaviour = established
-Then researcher records this event every time it occurs

52
Q

Define time sampling

A

-Target individual/group = established
-Then researcher records their behaviour in a fixed time frame e.g every 60 secs

53
Q

What are the 3 types of interviews?

A

-Structured
-Unstructured
-Semi-structured

54
Q

Define correlation

A

It investigates the relationship/association between 2 co-variables

55
Q

Define positive (+ve) correlation

A

As one co-variable INCREASES so does the other
e.g number of people in a room and noise

56
Q

Define negative (-ve) correlation

A

As one co-variable INCREASES the other DECREASES
e.g number of people in a room and amount of personal space

57
Q

Define zero (0) correlation

A

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

58
Q

Define Meta-analysis

A

Combining the findings from a number of studies, on a particular topic

59
Q

Define what a measure of central tendency is

A

A measure of the average

60
Q

Name the measures of central tendency

A

-Mean
-Median
-Mode

61
Q

Names the measures of dispersion

A

-Range
-IQR
-Standard deviation

62
Q

What is another name for a one-tailed hypothesis?

A

Directional hypothesis

63
Q

What is another name for a two-tailed hypothesis?

A

Non-directional hypothesis

yr 12 psychology revision (5 decks)

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