Research Methods (All Papers) Flashcards

1
Q

What is an extraneous variable

A

Any variable other than the IV which, if not dealt with (controlled) might influence the DV and the accuracy of the results

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2
Q

What is a confounding variable

A

A specific example of an extraneous variable

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3
Q

What is a situational variable

A

Any feature of the experimental situation that might affect the DV

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4
Q

What is a participant variable

A

Individual differences between participants

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5
Q

What is an example of a participant variable

A

Personality

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6
Q

Give 3 specific examples of extraneous variables

A

-Demand Characteristics
-Investigator Effects
-Order effects

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7
Q

What are demand characteristics

A

When participants look for clues about how they are expected to behave and produce behaviours that they think the researcher is demanding

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8
Q

What are investigator effects

A

Anything that a researcher does that has an effect on the way a participant performs in a study

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9
Q

What are order effects

A

The order in which participants take part in experiments when a repeated measures design is used

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10
Q

What is standardisation

A

Keeping everything other than the IV the same between conditions

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11
Q

What is counterbalancing

A

When half the participants complete condition A first and the other half complete condition B first

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12
Q

What is Randomisation

A

Used when selecting experimental materials for research in order to remove researcher bias

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13
Q

What is random allocation

A

When participants are allocated to each condition on a random basis

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14
Q

What is standardisation used to control for

A

Situational variables

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15
Q

What is counterbalancing used to control for

A

Order effects

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16
Q

What is randomisation used to control for

A

Order effects

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17
Q

What is random allocation used to control for

A

Participant variables
Investigator effects

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18
Q

What is the single blind design used to control for

A

Demand characteristics

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19
Q

What is the single blind design

A

When participants are not made aware of the research aim or which experimental condition they have been placed in

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20
Q

What is the double blind design used to control for

A

Demand characteristics
Investigator effects

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21
Q

What is the double blind design

A

When neither the researcher nor the participants are aware of the aim of the study and the conditions that are taking place

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22
Q

What is Random samlpling?

A

When every member of a target population has an equal chance of being selected and names of participants are selected by chance

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23
Q

Give 2 advantages of Random sampling

A
  • No researcher bias
  • Generalisable to target population
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24
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of random sampling

A
  • Unrepresentative
  • Potentially impractical
25
Q

What is Systematic sampling?

A

The process of taking every nth member of the target population to form a sample

26
Q

Give 2 advantages of systematic sampling

A
  • No researcher bias
  • Generalisable to target population
27
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of systematic sampling

A
  • Not truly representative
  • Time consuming
28
Q

What is stratified sampling?

A

A small scale reproduction of the target population that maintains the same ratios

29
Q

Give 2 advantages of stratified sampling

A
  • No researcher bias
  • Generalisable to target population
30
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of stratified sampling

A
  • Requires detailed knowledge of the target population
  • Time consuming
31
Q

What is opportunity sampling?

A

When the researcher approaches anyone available to take part in the experiment

32
Q

Give 2 advantages of opportunity sampling

A
  • Time efficient
  • Cost efficient
33
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of opportunity sampling

A

-Likely to be biased
- Not generalisable to target population

34
Q

What is Volunteer sampling?

A

When the researcher advertises for participants and they choose whether or not they reply to the advert

35
Q

Give 2 advantages of volunteer sampling

A
  • Time and cost efficient
  • Less chance of participants deliberately sabotaging the study
36
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of volunteer sampling

A
  • Likely to be unrepresentative
  • Not generalisable to target population
37
Q

What is an aim?

A

a general statement outlining what the researcher intends to investigate and the purpose of the investigation

38
Q

What is a laboratory experiment?

A

When the IV is deliberately manipulated by the experimenter. Take place in a controlled environment. Participants are aware they are taking part in an experiment.

39
Q

Give 2 advantages of a lab experiment

A
  • High control over extraneous variables
  • Experiments are easy to replicate
40
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of a lab experiment

A
  • Participants behaviour may be unnatural
  • Demand characteristics
41
Q

What is a field experiment?

A

When the IV is deliberately manipulated by the experimenter. Takes place in a participants usual environment. Participants are not usually aware that they are taking part in an experiment.

42
Q

Give 2 advantages of a field experiment

A
  • Behaviour is likely to be natural
  • Reduction in demand characteristics
43
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of a field experiment

A
  • Difficult to replicate
  • Potential ethical issues
44
Q

What is a natural experiment?

A

When the IV is not deliberately manipulated by the experimenter. Takes place in a participant’s usual environment. Participants tend not to be aware that they are taking part in an experiment.

45
Q

Give 2 advantages of a natural experiment

A
  • participants behaviour is likely to be natural
  • Reduction in demand characteristics
46
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of a natural experiment

A
  • Difficult to replicate
  • Possible ethical issues
47
Q

What is a quasi experiment?

A

When the IV is a natural characteristic of the participant and not manipulated by the experimenter. Experiment can take place in either a lab or a participant’s usual setting.

48
Q

Give an advantage of a quasi experiment

A
  • Allows the investigation of situations that are not usually possible
49
Q

Give a disadvantage of a quasi experiment

A
  • Cause and effect is more difficult to determine
50
Q

What is a repeated measures design?

A

When the same participants are used in each condition

51
Q

Give 2 advantages of a repeated measures design

A
  • Eliminates participant variables (Higher validity)
  • Fewer participants needed
52
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of a repeated measures design

A
  • Order effects
  • Increases demand characteristics
53
Q

What is an independent group design?

A

Separate and different participants are used in each condition

54
Q

Give 2 advantages of independent group design

A
  • Reduces order effects
  • Reduces demand characteristics
55
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of independent group design

A
  • Introduces participant variables
  • Less economical
56
Q

What is matched pairs design?

A

Different participants are used in each condition but participants are matched on variables relevant to the experiment (e.g. ability)

57
Q

Give 2 advantages of matched pairs design

A
  • Less demand characteristics
  • Reduction in participant variables
58
Q

Give 2 disadvantages of matched pairs design

A
  • Time consuming
  • Participants can’t be exactly matched
59
Q
A