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AQA A-Level Psychology > Research Methods (AS) > Flashcards

Research Methods (AS) Flashcards

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1
Q

Define aims

A

A general expression of what the researcher intends to investigate

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2
Q

Define Independent variables

A

what is measured

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3
Q

Define EVs

A

‘nuisance’ variables may make it more difficult to detect an effect. A researcher may control some of these.

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4
Q

Define CVs

A

variables which change systematically with the IV so we cannot be sure if any observed change is due to the IV or DV

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5
Q

Define demand characteristics

A

Refers to any cue from the researcher or research situation that may reveal the aim of the study, and change participant’s behaviour

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6
Q

Define Investigator effects

A

Any effect of the investigator’s behaviour on the outcome of the research and also on design decisions.

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7
Q

Define randomisation

A

The use of chance when designing investigations to control for the effects of bias.

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8
Q

Define standardisation

A

Using the same formalised procedures for all participants in a research study, otherwise differences become EVs

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9
Q

What is a pilot study?

A

A small-scale trial run of an investigation to ‘road-test’ procedures, so that research design can be modified

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10
Q

What is a single blind study?

A

A participant doesn’t know the aims of the study so that demand characteristics are reduced.

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11
Q

What is a double blind study?

A

both participant and researcher do not know the aims of the study to reduce DCs and investigator bias.

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12
Q

What is an independent groups design?

A

One group does condition A and a second group does condition B. Participants should be randomly allocated to experimental groups.

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13
Q

What is a repeated measures design?

A

Some participants take part in all conditions of an experiment. The order of conditions should be counterbalanced to avoid order effects.

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14
Q

What is a matched pairs design?

A

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.

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15
Q

Strength of Independent groups design
(order effects)

A

No order effects.
Participants only tested once.
This controls CV

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16
Q

Strength of independent groups design (guessing the aim)

A

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

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17
Q

Weakness of independent groups design (economy)

A

Less economical
Twice as many participants
More time recruiting = expensive

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18
Q

Weakness of repeated measures design (order effects)

A

Order effects are a problem
Ppts may do better or worse when doing a task AGAIN
Reduces validity

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19
Q

What is a laboratory experiment?

A

A controlled environment where EVs and CVs can be regulated. The IV is manipulated and the effect on the DV is recorded.

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20
Q

What is a field experiment?

A

A natural setting. The researcher goes to participants. The IV is manipulated and the DV is recorded.

21
Q

What is a natural experiment?

A

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.

22
Q

Limitation of a natural experiment
(ppts)

A

Participants are not randomly allocated
The experiment has no control due to pre-existing IV
May result in uncontrolled CVs

23
Q

What is a quasi-experiment?

A

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

24
Q

Strength of a quasi experiment
(control)

A

High control.
Often carried out under controlled conditions
Shares strengths of lab studies
Replication is possible

25
Q

What are the five types of sampling?

A

Random
Systematic
Stratified
Opportunity
Volunteer

26
Q

What is stratified sampling?

A

Sample reflects proportions of people in certain subgroups within a population.

27
Q

What is systematic sampling? `

A

Participants are selected using a set ‘pattern’ e.g., a list in alphabetical order.

28
Q

limitation of volunteer sampling

A

Volunteer bias
ppts may share certain traits
response to cues & generalisation limited.

29
Q

Name 4 ethical issues

A

Deception
Protection from harm
Confidentiality
Informed consent

30
Q

Give an example of how to deal with the ethical issue of protection from harm

A

Ensure participants are aware that they have the right to withdraw.

31
Q

What is a correlation?

A

Illustrates the strength and direction of an association between two co-variables.

32
Q

Three types of correlation?

A

Positive - co variables increase together
Negative - one co-variable increases, the other decreases
Zero - no relationship between variables

33
Q

What is the difference between correlations and experiments?

A

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.

34
Q

Strength of correlations
(economics)

A

Relatively economical Relatively
Secondary data can be used
Less time-consuming.

35
Q

What are the types of observation?

A

Naturalistic, Controlled, Covert Overt, participant, non-participant

36
Q

Types of observational design

A

event sampling - a target behaviour is recorded every time it occurs.
time sampling - observations are made at regular intervals.

37
Q

name two self-report techniques

A

questionnaires and interviews

38
Q

three types of interview

A

Structured
Semi-structured (no set questions but a general topic is to be discussed)
Unstructured

39
Q

what is the aim of piloting a study?

A

To find out if certain things don’t work so they can be corrected before spending time and money on the real thing.

40
Q

quantitative data

A

numerical data. e.g., reaction time or number of mistakes

41
Q

qualitative data

A

non-numerical data expressed in words. e.g., extract from a diary.

42
Q

primary data

A

first-hand data collected for the purpose of the investigation

43
Q

secondary data

A

collected by someone other than the person who is conducting the research, e.g., work of other psychologists or government stats.

44
Q

meta-analysis

A

a type of secondary data that involves combining data from a large number of studies.

45
Q

the three measures of central tendency are:

A

mean (average), median (middle value), mode (most common)

46
Q

the measures of dispersion are:

A

range (difference), standard deviation (measure of the avg. spread around the mean)

47
Q

limitation of standard deviation?

A

may be misleading
can be distorted by extreme values
also, they may not be revealed.

48
Q

when is the sign test used?

A

when data is nominal
when there is a difference is scores (e.g., repeated measures design)

49
Q

peer review is…

A

before publication, all aspects of the investigation are scrutinised by experts in the field. These experts should be objective and unknown to the researcher.

AQA A-Level Psychology (13 decks)

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