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Research Methods Definitions Flashcards

1
Q

Aim

A

The researcher’s area of interest – what they are looking at (e.g. to investigate helping behaviour).

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2
Q

Bar Chart

A

A graph that shows the data in the form of categories (e.g. behaviours observed) that the researcher wishes to compare.

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3
Q

Behaviour Categories

A

Key behaviours or, collections of behaviour, that the researcher conducting the observation will pay attention to and record

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4
Q

Case Study

A

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).

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5
Q

Closed Questions

A

Questions where there are fixed choices of responses e.g. yes/no. They generate quantitative data

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6
Q

Co-variables

A

The variables investigated in a correlation

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7
Q

Concurrent Validity

A

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

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8
Q

Confidentiality

A

Unless agreed beforehand, participants have the right to expect that all data collected during a research study will remain confidential and anonymous.

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9
Q

Confounding Variable

A

An extraneous variable that varies systematically with the IV so we cannot be sure of the true source of the change to the DV

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10
Q

Content Analysis

A

Technique used to analyse qualitative data which involves coding the written data into categories – converting qualitative data into quantitative data.

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11
Q

Control Group

A

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).

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12
Q

Controlled Observation

A

An observation study where the researchers control some variables - often takes place in laboratory setting

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13
Q

Correlational Analysis

A

A mathematical technique where the researcher looks to see whether scores for two covariables are related

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14
Q

Counterbalancing

A

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

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15
Q

Covert Observation

A

Also known as an undisclosed observation as the participants do not know their behaviour is being observed

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16
Q

Critical Value

A

The value that a test statistic must reach in order for the hypothesis to be accepted.

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17
Q

Debriefing

A

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.

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18
Q

Deception

A

Involves misleading participants about the purpose of s study.

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19
Q

Demand Characteristics

A

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.

20
Q

Dependent Variable

A

The variable that is measured to tell you the outcome.

21
Q

Descriptive Statistics

A

Analysis of data that helps describe, show or summarize data in a meaningful way

22
Q

Directional Hypothesis

A

A one-tailed hypothesis that states the direction of the difference or relationship (e.g. boys are more helpful than girls).

23
Q

Dispersion Measure

A

A dispersion measure shows how a set of data is spread out, examples are the range and the standard deviation

24
Q

Double Blind Contorl

A

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.

25
Q

Ecological Validity

A

The extent to which the findings of a research study are able to be generalized to real-life settings

26
Q

Ethical Guidelines

A

These are provided by the BPS - they are the ‘rules’ by which all psychologists should operate, including those carrying out research.

27
Q

Ethical Issues

A

There are 3 main ethical issues that occur in psychological research – deception, lack of informed consent and lack of protection of participants.

28
Q

Evaluation Apprehension

A

Participants’ behaviour is distorted as they fear being judged by observers

29
Q

Event Sampling

A

A target behaviour is identified and the observer records it every time it occurs

30
Q

Experimental Group

A

The group that received the experimental treatment (e.g. sleep deprivation)

31
Q

External Validity

A

Whether it is possible to generalise the results beyond the experimental setting.

32
Q

Extraneous Variable

A

Variables that if not controlled may affect the DV and provide a false impression than an IV has produced changes when it hasn’t.

33
Q

Face Validity

A

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.

34
Q

Field Experiment

A

An experiment that takes place in a natural setting where the experimenter manipulates the IV and measures the DV

35
Q

Informed consent

A

Psychologists should ensure that all participants are helped to understand fully all aspects of the research before they agree (give consent) to take part

36
Q

Laboratory experiment

A

An experiment that takes place in a controlled environment where the experimenter manipulates the IV and measures the DV

37
Q

Mean

A

Measure of central tendency calculated by adding all the scores in a set of data together and dividing by the total number of scores

38
Q

Natural experiment

A

An experiment where the change in the IV already exists rather than being manipulated by the experimenter

39
Q

Range

A

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

40
Q

Reliability

A

Whether something is consistent. In the case of a study, whether it is replicable.

41
Q

Repeated measures design

A

An experimental design where each participants takes part in both/all conditions of the IV

42
Q

Sample

A

A group of people that are drawn from the target population to take part in a research investigation

43
Q

Sign test

A

A statistical test used to analyse the direction of differences of scores between the same or matched pairs of subjects under two experimental conditions

44
Q

Significance

A

If the result of a statistical test is significant it is highly unlikely to have occurred by chance

45
Q

Standardised instructions

A

The instructions given to each participant are kept identical – to help prevent experimenter bias.

46
Q

Validity

A

Whether something is true – measures what it sets out to measure.

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