research methods booklet 1

Question 1

what is an experimental method?

Answer 1

manipulation of an IV to measure the effect on the DV -> can be lab, field, natural, or quasi

Question 2

what is an aim?

Answer 2

a general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate (purpose of the study).

Question 3

what is a hypothesis?

Answer 3

a clear, precise testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated (outset)

Question 4

what is a directional hypothesis?

Answer 4

states the direction of the difference or relationship

Question 5

what is a non directional hypothesis?

Answer 5

does not state the direction

Question 6

what are variables?

Answer 6

any ‘thing’ that can vary or change within an investigation. Generally used in experiments to determine if changes in one thing result in changes to another.

Question 7

what is the independent variable?

Answer 7

some aspects of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher- or changes naturally- so the effect on the DV can be measured.

Question 8

what is the dependent variable?

Answer 8

variable that is MEASURED by the researcher. Effect on the DV should be caused by the change in IV.

Question 9

what is operationalisation?

Answer 9

clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured

Question 10

what are extraneous variables?

Answer 10

any variable, other than the IV, that may have an effect on the DV if it is not controlled.

Question 11

what are confounding variables?

Answer 11

any variable, other than the IV, that may have affected the DV so we cannot be sure of the true source of changes to the DV. These vary systematically with the IV.

Question 12

what are demand characteristics?

Answer 12

any cue from the researcher or from the research situation that may be interpreted by ppts as revealing the purpose of the investigation- ppt may change their behaviour within the research situation.

Question 13

what are investigator effects?

Answer 13

any effect of the investigator’s behaviour (conscious or unconscious) on the research outcome (the DV). This may include everything from the design of the study to the selection and interaction with ppts.

Question 14

what is randomisation?

Answer 14

use of chance in order to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of conditions.

Question 15

what is standardisation?

Answer 15

using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all ppts in a research study

Question 16

what is an experimental design?

Answer 16

the different ways in which the testing of ppts can be organised in relation to the experimental conditions

Question 17

what is an independent group design?

Answer 17

ppts are allocated to different groups where each group represents one experimental condition

Question 18

what is a repeated measures design?

Answer 18

all ppts take part in all conditions of the experiment

Question 19

what is a matched pairs design?

Answer 19

pairs of ppts are first matched on some variable(s) that may affect the DV. Then one member of the pair is assigned to condition A and the other to condition B

Question 20

what is counterbalancing?

Answer 20

an attempt to control for the effects of order in a repeated measures design: half the ppts experience the conditions in one order, and the other half in an opposite order

Question 21

what is random allocation?

Answer 21

an attempt to control for the effects of order in a INDEPENDENT GROUPS DESIGN which ensures that each ppt has the same chance of being in one condition than any other.

Question 22

what is a lab experiment?

Answer 22

an experiment that takes place in a controlled environment within which the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV, whilst maintaining strict control of extraneous variables.

Question 23

what is a field experiment?

Answer 23

an experiment that takes place in a natural setting within which the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effects on the DV

Question 24

what is a natural experiment?

Answer 24

an experiment where the change in IV is not brought about by the researcher but would have happened even if the researcher had not been there. The researcher records the effect on the DV.

Question 25

what is a quasi-experiment?

Answer 25

a study that is almost an experiment but lacks key ingredients. The IV has not been determined by anyone- the ‘variables’ simply exist e.g being old and young. =basically not an experiment.

Question 26

define population

Answer 26

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

Question 27

define sample

Answer 27

a group of ppl who take part in a research investigation- drawn from a target population and is presumed to be representative of that population.

Question 28

define bias

Answer 28

in context of sampling, when certain groups may be over or under- represented within the sample selected. E.G. there may be too many younger ppl or too many ppl of a certain ethnic origin in a sample.

Question 29

define generalisation

Answer 29

the extent to which findings and conclusions from a particular investigation can be broadly applied to the population. This is made possible if the sample of ppts is representative of the population.

Question 30

define ethical issues

Answer 30

these arise when a conflict exists between the rights of ppts in research studies and the goals of research to produce authentic, valid and worthwhile data.

Question 31

define BPS code of ethics

Answer 31

A quasi-legal document produced by the British Psychological Society (BPS) that instructs psychologists in the UK about what behaviour is and is not acceptable when dealing with ppts

4 major principles: respect, competence, responsibility and integrity.

Question 32

define pilot study

Answer 32

a small-scale version of an investigation that takes place before the real investigation is conducted. The aim is to check that procedures, materials etc work and allow the researcher to make changes or modifications if necessary.