Research Methods Definitions Flashcards
Aim
The researcher’s area of interest – what they are looking at (e.g. to investigate helping behaviour).
Bar Chart
A graph that shows the data in the form of categories (e.g. behaviours observed) that the researcher wishes to compare.
Behaviour Categories
Key behaviours or, collections of behaviour, that the researcher conducting the observation will pay attention to and record
Case Study
In-depth investigation of a single person, group or event, where data are gathered from a variety of sources and by using several different methods (e.g. observations & interviews).
Closed Questions
Questions where there are fixed choices of responses e.g. yes/no. They generate quantitative data
Co-variables
The variables investigated in a correlation
Concurrent Validity
Comparing a new test with another test of the same thing to see if they produce similar results. If they do then the new test has concurrent validity
Confidentiality
Unless agreed beforehand, participants have the right to expect that all data collected during a research study will remain confidential and anonymous.
Confounding Variable
An extraneous variable that varies systematically with the IV so we cannot be sure of the true source of the change to the DV
Content Analysis
Technique used to analyse qualitative data which involves coding the written data into categories – converting qualitative data into quantitative data.
Control Group
A group that is treated normally and gives us a measure of how people behave when they are not exposed to the experimental treatment (e.g. allowed to sleep normally).
Controlled Observation
An observation study where the researchers control some variables - often takes place in laboratory setting
Correlational Analysis
A mathematical technique where the researcher looks to see whether scores for two covariables are related
Counterbalancing
A way of trying to control for order effects in a repeated measures design, e.g. half the participants do condition A followed by B and the other half do B followed by A
Covert Observation
Also known as an undisclosed observation as the participants do not know their behaviour is being observed
Critical Value
The value that a test statistic must reach in order for the hypothesis to be accepted.
Debriefing
After completing the research, the true aim is revealed to the participant. Aim of debriefing = to return the person to the state s/he was in before they took part.
Deception
Involves misleading participants about the purpose of s study.
Demand Characteristics
Occur when participants try to make sense of the research situation they are in and try to guess the purpose of the research or try to present themselves in a good way.
Dependent Variable
The variable that is measured to tell you the outcome.
Descriptive Statistics
Analysis of data that helps describe, show or summarize data in a meaningful way
Directional Hypothesis
A one-tailed hypothesis that states the direction of the difference or relationship (e.g. boys are more helpful than girls).
Dispersion Measure
A dispersion measure shows how a set of data is spread out, examples are the range and the standard deviation
Double Blind Contorl
Participants are not told the true purpose of the research and the experimenter is also blind to at least some aspects of the research design.
Ecological Validity
The extent to which the findings of a research study are able to be generalized to real-life settings
Ethical Guidelines
These are provided by the BPS - they are the ‘rules’ by which all psychologists should operate, including those carrying out research.
Ethical Issues
There are 3 main ethical issues that occur in psychological research – deception, lack of informed consent and lack of protection of participants.
Evaluation Apprehension
Participants’ behaviour is distorted as they fear being judged by observers
Event Sampling
A target behaviour is identified and the observer records it every time it occurs
Experimental Group
The group that received the experimental treatment (e.g. sleep deprivation)
External Validity
Whether it is possible to generalise the results beyond the experimental setting.
Extraneous Variable
Variables that if not controlled may affect the DV and provide a false impression than an IV has produced changes when it hasn’t.
Face Validity
Simple way of assessing whether a test measures what it claims to measure which is concerned with face value – e.g. does an IQ test look like it tests intelligence.
Field Experiment
An experiment that takes place in a natural setting where the experimenter manipulates the IV and measures the DV
Informed consent
Psychologists should ensure that all participants are helped to understand fully all aspects of the research before they agree (give consent) to take part
Laboratory experiment
An experiment that takes place in a controlled environment where the experimenter manipulates the IV and measures the DV
Mean
Measure of central tendency calculated by adding all the scores in a set of data together and dividing by the total number of scores
Natural experiment
An experiment where the change in the IV already exists rather than being manipulated by the experimenter
Range
The distance between the lowest and the highest value in a set of scores.
A measure of dispersion which involves subtracting the lowest score from the highest score in a set of data
Reliability
Whether something is consistent. In the case of a study, whether it is replicable.
Repeated measures design
An experimental design where each participants takes part in both/all conditions of the IV
Sample
A group of people that are drawn from the target population to take part in a research investigation
Sign test
A statistical test used to analyse the direction of differences of scores between the same or matched pairs of subjects under two experimental conditions
Significance
If the result of a statistical test is significant it is highly unlikely to have occurred by chance
Standardised instructions
The instructions given to each participant are kept identical – to help prevent experimenter bias.
Validity
Whether something is true – measures what it sets out to measure.
