Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

a level pyschology > RESEARCH METHODS ( ALL ) > Flashcards

RESEARCH METHODS ( ALL ) Flashcards

1
Q

what are research methods?

A

research methods look at the.. different type of research
the basics of experimental designs
relationships between variables

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what are ethical issues?

A

ethical issues arise when a conflict exists between the rights of a participant in the research and the goals of the research

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

define and name the problem..
INFORMED CONSENT

A

we need valid consent.
pps should be made aware of aims, procedure and rights.
problem: pps will know aim of study if consent is given

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

3 ways to solve informed consent

A
  • consent letter with only the relevant info
  • parental signature required for children under 16
  • presumptive consent ( gain from similar and assume )
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

define and name the problem..
DECEPTION

A

deliberately misleading/ withholding info.
problem: if we dont deceive the pps they will know the aim of the study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

one way to solve DECEPTION

A

at the end of the study, pps should be made aware of the true aims
reassured behaviour was normal
offered counselling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

define and name the problem..
CONFIDENTIALITY

A

personal data should be protected
problem: could be sued if not

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

how do i assure confidentiality in a study?

A

do not record personal data
remind pps during debrief their data is protected

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

define right to withdraw

A

pps should be given the right to withdraw at any point in the study with 0 consequences

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

define protection from harm

A

should be protected from physical and psychological harm eg: embarrassment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

define ‘the experimental method’

A

manipulating 1 variable to determine if this causes change in another

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

define research aims

A

general statements about what the researcher intends to investigate ( purpose of study )

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

whats ‘the independent variable’

A

the IV is what is being changed/ manipulated in the study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

whats the dependant variable

A

the dependant variable is the thing being measured within the study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

whats operationalising ?

A

being specific and clear about what is being manipulated or measured. it must be testable and repeatable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

whats a hypotheses

A

a hypotheses is a statement of what you believe in. Its a precise and testable statement of the relationship of two variables

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

whats a directional hypotheses

A

a hypotheses that states the direction of a predicted difference between 2 conditions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

whats a non directional hypotheses

A

states there will be a difference between the two, but no direction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

whats a non directional hypotheses

A

states there will be a difference between the two, but no direction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

null hypotheses

A

there will be no significant difference between two conditions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

whats an extraneous variable

A

an extraneous variable affects the DV only, its an unwanted factor that could negatively affect data factors such as: age.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

whats a confounding variable

A

is a type of extraneous variable which changes the IV, making it hard to tell if the DV is changing due to the IV or the confounding variable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what are pps variables

A

variables linked to people used in the study eg: gender, age

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

what are situational variables

A

variables linked to the environment of the study eg: noise, time, distractions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

define pps reactivity

A

behaviour of pps is affected by awareness they’re part of a study

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

define social desirability bias

A

pps change behaviour to fit in with social norms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

what are demand characteristics

A

a cue in the experiment that may allow pps to guess the aim of the study and cause them to change behaviour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

define investigator effects

A

any effect of the investigator behaviours that affects outcome eg: tone of voice

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

how can we control demand characteristics

A
  1. deception- withhold info
  2. single blind procedure, pps unaware of which condition they are in or the research aims
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

how can we control investigator effects

A

inter- rater reliability
independent raters rate same behaviour as researcher
double blind procedure
both pps investigator are unaware of the groups and which variable they are under
randomisation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

how do we control situational variables

A

standardisation
- use the same, formalised procedures instructions for all pps

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

what are experimental designs

A

different ways pps can be organised in relation to the experimental conditions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

what are the 3 types of experimental designs

A

independent groups
repeated measures
matched pairs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

whats independent groups

A

where different pps are used in each condition of the independent variable.
the performance of the 2 would then be compared

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

2 strengths of independent groups

A
  • avoids order effects as pps are only in 1 condition
  • pps less likely to guess the aim and show demand characteristics
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

2 weaknesses of independant groups

A
  • time consuming as we need more people
  • individual differences may affect results
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

define repeated measures

A

all pps take part in all conditions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

2 strengths of repeated measures

A
  • pps variables are reduced as the same pps are used in each condition
  • fewer people needed
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

weakness of repeated measures

A

may be order effects eg: may perform better in the 2nd condition due to practise

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

define matched pairs

A

pairs of pos are matched based on extraneous variables eg: age and then one is assigned to condition one and the other condition 2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

2 strengths of matched pairs

A
  • reduces pps variables as they have been based on characteristics
  • avoids order effects as each pp is in only 1 condition
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

2 weakness’ of marched pairs

A
  • time consuming to match
  • pps can never be matched exactly
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

what are the 4 types of experiments

A

lab, field, natural, quasi

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

define lab experiments

A

conducted under controlled conditions
researcher changes IV to see effect on DV

45
Q

define field experiments

A

carried out in a natural setting
researcher manipulates IV to see effect on DV

46
Q

define natural experiments

A

the change in IV would have happened if the researcher wasnt there eg: heart attack number after smoking ban

47
Q

define quasi experiments

A

IV simply exists

48
Q

2 strengths of lab experiments

A

high level of control, inc validity
easy to replicate and check results

49
Q

limitation of lab experiment

A

lacks ecological validity due to control of researcher, findings cant be generalised

50
Q

strength of field experiments

A

good internal and external validity

51
Q

limitation of field experiment

A

less control, therefore extraneous variables can affect data, lowering internal validity

52
Q

strength of natural experiments

A

provides opportunity to research things that may not be ethical if they hadn’t occurred naturally

53
Q

2 limitations of natural experiments

A

may happen rarely, reducing research opportunities
may not be able to randomly allocate pps to conditions

54
Q

strength of quasi

A

controlled conditions, high external validity

55
Q

weakness of quasi

A

cannot allocate to conditions, may be confounding variables

56
Q

define a population

A

a group of people who are the focus of the researchers interest, from which a smaller sample is drawn

57
Q

whats a sample

A

a sample is the people who take part in study. they’re drawn from target population and presumed to be representative of that population

58
Q

random sample

A

everyone has equal chance

59
Q

strength, 2 limitations of random sampling

A
  • potentially unbiased, validity
  • time consumimg
  • may be biased sample
60
Q

systematic sampling

A

using a system to select eg: every 4th

61
Q

one strength, 2 weakness of systematic sampling

A

objective, researcher little influence
- time consuming
- may end up biased eg: every 4th was male

62
Q

stratified sampling

A

sample reflects proportions of people in subgroups

63
Q

one strength, 2 weakness of stratified

A

representative sample
- time consuming
- subgroups cant reflect how all people are different, therefore complete representation isnt possible

64
Q

opportunity sample

A

uses pps who are willing and available

65
Q

1 strength , 1 weakness of stratified

A

easy and inexpensive
may be biased ( similarities of interest? )

66
Q

volunteer sample

A

pps who have volunteered to be in study

67
Q

strength and weakness of volunteer

A

large samples reached
similiar characteristics

68
Q

what are self report techniques

A

methods of gathering data where pps provide into about themselves without interference

69
Q

difference between qualitative and quantative data

A

qualitative is detailed and focusses on opinions
quantitative is usually numerical

70
Q

open and closed questions

A

open is usually detailed, closed focusses on one answer questions

71
Q

5 things to include in good questionnaire questions

A
  • filler questions
  • open and closed
  • no double negatives
  • no leading questions
  • easy to hard
72
Q

4 strengths of questionnaires

A
  • quick and cheap
  • comfortable to reveal info
  • reduces experimenter bias
  • no special training
73
Q

3 weakness of questionnaires

A
  • biased to those willing
  • timely
  • cant ask questions
74
Q

difference between structured and unstructured questions

A

structured has pre determined questions and cant deviate from script, unstructured have new questions and may be based on last answer

75
Q

2 strengths, 2 weakness of structured interviews

A

easily repeated
easy to analyse questions
- interviewer bias
- comparability difficult if interviewer behaves differently

76
Q

strength, 2 weakness of unstructured

A

more detail obtained
- interviewer with skill needed
- expensive

77
Q

why do psychologists observe

A
  • to study natural behaviour
  • to study behaviours that are unethical
78
Q

name the 3 types of observation

A

controlled v naturalistic
overt v covert
pps v non

79
Q

difference between overt and covert

A

covert is where pps dont know they are being observed
over is where the pps knows and have given consent

80
Q

difference between time sampling and event sampling

A

event sampling is where the number of times the behaviour is carried out is recorded
time sampling is a pre determined time frame

81
Q

whats a correlation

A

measures extent of which two variables are related

82
Q

difference between a positive and negative correlation

A

a positive is a relationship where both variables move in the same direction, a negative is where an increase in one is a decrease in the other

83
Q

2 strengths of correlations

A

determines if theres a relationship
may suggest ideas for future research if correlation is strong

84
Q

2 weakness’ of correlations

A

only tell us variables are related, not why
dont demonstrate cause and effect ( which variable causes other )

85
Q

3 differences between correlations and experiments

A

experiments..
- asses effect of IV on DV, correlations dont use seperate conditions
- experiments look for difference
- bar chart vs scatter graph

86
Q

whats a meta analysis

A

large scale review where a researcher takes the data from lots of individual studies and analyses to get an overall picture

87
Q

what are the measures of cendral tendancy

A

averages which give info on the most typical values eg: mean, mode, median

88
Q

when do we use the mean?

A

when there are all data values
we dont use them when theyre extreme values

89
Q

what are measures of dispersion

A

based on spread of the scores eg: range, standard deviation

90
Q

whats standard deviation

A

measure which shows to what extend the values deviate from the mean

91
Q

whats a pilot study

A

a small- scale version of an investigation which takes place before the real one

92
Q

3 aims of pilot studies

A

no biased results
properly operationalised
behaviour categories are being properly observed

93
Q

strength of pilot study

A

pilot studies can be used to identify misleading questions and reduce bias, therefore, the internal validity increases and the reliability

94
Q

weakness of pilot study

A

just because a pilot study is successful, doesnt guarantee the actual will be
therefore
we cant accept that the pilot study will be a 100% recreation

95
Q

whats a peer review

A

all aspects of investigation are checked by experts ‘peers’ in the field

96
Q

3 reasons to peer review

A

allocate funding
amend research
validate quality and relevance

97
Q

3 negatives if we didnt peer review

A
  • damage integrity of the field
  • lead to misinformation
  • poor quality may be disseminated
98
Q

what happened with the MMR vaccine study, relating to peer review

A
  • 1998 Andrew Wakefield led a study that suggested vaccine caused autism
  • this was published and parents didnt vaccinate their children, leading to death
  • a 2014 meta analysis confirmed it was lies
  • rumours still persist
99
Q

2 strengths of peer review

A

protects quality
preserves reputation

100
Q

2 weakness of peer review

A

publication bias
anonymity of review may be used to criticise rival researchers

101
Q

2 examples of implications of psychological research on economy

A
  • attachment research into role of fathers. modern parents may be better equipped to contribute effectively
  • mental disorders cause time off work and lead to a negative effect on the economy
102
Q

define reliability

A

how consistently a method measures something
- repeat and obtain
- linked to replication

103
Q

define internal reliability

A

within study consistency, how consistently different items with 1 test measure same concept

104
Q

external reliability

A

similiar results over time/ situations in different conditions

105
Q

inter reliability

A

reliability within the study, is the result consistent

106
Q

external reliability

A

focusses in if the result is still consistent over different time periods and situations

107
Q

split half

A

split test in half, not only in half but eg: systematic
give pps both half
0.8 to be accurate

108
Q

test retest

A

test is completed over 2 time periods
0.8

109
Q

inter rater test

A

2 psychologists analyse same situation and compare results

a level pyschology (16 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions