Research Methods (AS) Flashcards
Define aims
A general expression of what the researcher intends to investigate
Define Independent variables
what is measured
Define EVs
‘nuisance’ variables may make it more difficult to detect an effect. A researcher may control some of these.
Define CVs
variables which change systematically with the IV so we cannot be sure if any observed change is due to the IV or DV
Define demand characteristics
Refers to any cue from the researcher or research situation that may reveal the aim of the study, and change participant’s behaviour
Define Investigator effects
Any effect of the investigator’s behaviour on the outcome of the research and also on design decisions.
Define randomisation
The use of chance when designing investigations to control for the effects of bias.
Define standardisation
Using the same formalised procedures for all participants in a research study, otherwise differences become EVs
What is a pilot study?
A small-scale trial run of an investigation to ‘road-test’ procedures, so that research design can be modified
What is a single blind study?
A participant doesn’t know the aims of the study so that demand characteristics are reduced.
What is a double blind study?
both participant and researcher do not know the aims of the study to reduce DCs and investigator bias.
What is an independent groups design?
One group does condition A and a second group does condition B. Participants should be randomly allocated to experimental groups.
What is a repeated measures design?
Some participants take part in all conditions of an experiment. The order of conditions should be counterbalanced to avoid order effects.
What is a matched pairs design?
Two groups of participants are used but they are also related to each other by being paired on participant variables that matter for the experiment.
Strength of Independent groups design
(order effects)
No order effects.
Participants only tested once.
This controls CV
Strength of independent groups design (guessing the aim)
Participants won’t guess the aim of the study
Only tested once so unlikely to guess the research aims.
So behaviour may be more natural
Weakness of independent groups design (economy)
Less economical
Twice as many participants
More time recruiting = expensive
Weakness of repeated measures design (order effects)
Order effects are a problem
Ppts may do better or worse when doing a task AGAIN
Reduces validity
What is a laboratory experiment?
A controlled environment where EVs and CVs can be regulated. The IV is manipulated and the effect on the DV is recorded.
What is a field experiment?
A natural setting. The researcher goes to participants. The IV is manipulated and the DV is recorded.
What is a natural experiment?
The experimenter does not manipulate the IV - it does change, but the change is not made by the experimenter - someone or something else causes the IV to vary. DV may be naturally occurring or may be devised by the experimenter and measured in the field or lab.
Limitation of a natural experiment
(ppts)
Participants are not randomly allocated
The experiment has no control due to pre-existing IV
May result in uncontrolled CVs
What is a quasi-experiment?
IV is based on a pre-existing difference between people, e.g., age or gender. No manipulation of the variables it just exists.
DV may be naturally occurring or may devised by the experimenter
Strength of a quasi experiment
(control)
High control.
Often carried out under controlled conditions
Shares strengths of lab studies
Replication is possible
What are the five types of sampling?
Random
Systematic
Stratified
Opportunity
Volunteer
What is stratified sampling?
Sample reflects proportions of people in certain subgroups within a population.
What is systematic sampling? `
Participants are selected using a set ‘pattern’ e.g., a list in alphabetical order.
limitation of volunteer sampling
Volunteer bias
ppts may share certain traits
response to cues & generalisation limited.
Name 4 ethical issues
Deception
Protection from harm
Confidentiality
Informed consent
Give an example of how to deal with the ethical issue of protection from harm
Ensure participants are aware that they have the right to withdraw.
What is a correlation?
Illustrates the strength and direction of an association between two co-variables.
Three types of correlation?
Positive - co variables increase together
Negative - one co-variable increases, the other decreases
Zero - no relationship between variables
What is the difference between correlations and experiments?
In an experiment, the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV. In a correlation, there is no manipulation of variables so cause and effect can not be established.
Strength of correlations
(economics)
Relatively economical Relatively
Secondary data can be used
Less time-consuming.
What are the types of observation?
Naturalistic, Controlled, Covert Overt, participant, non-participant
Types of observational design
event sampling - a target behaviour is recorded every time it occurs.
time sampling - observations are made at regular intervals.
name two self-report techniques
questionnaires and interviews
three types of interview
Structured
Semi-structured (no set questions but a general topic is to be discussed)
Unstructured
what is the aim of piloting a study?
To find out if certain things don’t work so they can be corrected before spending time and money on the real thing.
quantitative data
numerical data. e.g., reaction time or number of mistakes
qualitative data
non-numerical data expressed in words. e.g., extract from a diary.
primary data
first-hand data collected for the purpose of the investigation
secondary data
collected by someone other than the person who is conducting the research, e.g., work of other psychologists or government stats.
meta-analysis
a type of secondary data that involves combining data from a large number of studies.
the three measures of central tendency are:
mean (average), median (middle value), mode (most common)
the measures of dispersion are:
range (difference), standard deviation (measure of the avg. spread around the mean)
limitation of standard deviation?
may be misleading
can be distorted by extreme values
also, they may not be revealed.
when is the sign test used?
when data is nominal
when there is a difference is scores (e.g., repeated measures design)
peer review is…
before publication, all aspects of the investigation are scrutinised by experts in the field. These experts should be objective and unknown to the researcher.
