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z - psychology paper two > research methods-experiments > Flashcards

research methods-experiments Flashcards

1
Q

aims

A

purpose of the investigation

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2
Q

hypotheses

A

statement made at the start of a study showing the relationship between the variables in a theory

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3
Q

experimental method

A

manipulating the IV to measure the DV

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4
Q

directional hypothesis

A

states the direction of the difference/relationship, when research has been done before

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5
Q

non directional hypothesis

A

doesn’t state the direction of the difference/relationship, when research hasn’t been done before

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6
Q

variables

A

something that can change in an investigation

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7
Q

independent variable

A

aspect of the experiment that is changed by the researcher or is a natural difference

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8
Q

dependent variable

A

variable measured by the researcher

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9
Q

operationalisation

A

defining variables in terms of how they can be measured

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10
Q

extraneous variables

A

variables other than the IV that can affect the DV if not controlled

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11
Q

confounding variables

A

type of extraneous variable, varies with the IV so we can’t tell if the change is due to the IV or the confounding variable

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12
Q

demand characteristics

A

cue from the researcher that may be interpreted by participants as revealing the purpose of the investigation, which may lead to the participant changing their behaviour

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13
Q

investigator effects

A

effect of the investigator’s behaviour on the dependent variable e.g gender, bias or facial cues

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14
Q

randomisation

A

use chance methods to control the effects of bias when designing the experiment and deciding the order of experimental conditions

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15
Q

standardisation

A

use the same formalised procedures and instructions for participants in a research study

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16
Q

experimental design

A

different ways the experiment can be organised relating to experimental conditions

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17
Q

independent group designs

A

participants allocated to different groups where each group represents one experimental condition

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18
Q

repeated measures

A

all participants take part in all conditions of the experiment

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19
Q

matched pairs design

A

pairs of participants are matched on some variables that can affect the dependent variable-one is assigned to condition a and one is assigned to condition b

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20
Q

random allocation

A

control participant variables in an independent groups design ensuring each participant has an equal chance of being selected

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21
Q

counterbalancing

A

control the effects of order in a repeated measures design- half the participants experience it in one order and half in the other order

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22
Q

laboratory experiment

A

experiment in a controlled environment where the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effects on the DV whilst strictly controlling variables

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23
Q

field experiment

A

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

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24
Q

natural experiments

A

an experiment where the IV naturally occurs and they record the effect on the DV from this

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25
Q

quasi experiment

A

IV based on an existing difference between people, the DV may naturally occur or be devised by the experimenter

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26
Q

advantages of laboratory experiments

A

have high control over variables, replication can occur

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27
Q

disadvantages of laboratory experiments

A

low external validity, low mundane realism, may display demand characteristics

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28
Q

advantages of field experiments

A

higher mundane realism, high external validity

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29
Q

disadvantage of field experiments

A

less control over variables, participants may not have given consent

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30
Q

advantages of natural experiments

A

high external validity, no demand characteristics

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31
Q

disadvantages of natural experiments

A

harder to control variables, harder to replicate, the sample may be biased

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32
Q

advantages of quasi experiments

A

controlled conditions

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33
Q

disadvantages of quasi experiments

A

confounding variables

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34
Q

target population

A

large group of individuals the researcher is interested in studying

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35
Q

random sampling

A

all of the target population have an equal chance of being selected, list the population, assign them a number, use a random number generator

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36
Q

advantages of random sampling

A

free from researcher bias

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37
Q

disadvantages of random sampling

A

difficult, time consuming, people may refuse to take part

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38
Q

systematic sampling

A

every nth person is selected, sampling frame produced to organise the population and then a sampling system is nominated, eg every 3rd person

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39
Q

advantages of systematic sampling

A

free from researcher bias, representative

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40
Q

disadvantages of systematic sampling

A

difficult, time consuming

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41
Q

opportunity sampling

A

ask whoever is willing and available

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42
Q

advantages of opportunity sampling

A

convenient, saves time and money

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43
Q

disadvantages of opportunity sampling

A

specific area so hard to generalise, researcher bias

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44
Q

volunteer sampling

A

participants select themselves to be part of the study

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45
Q

advantages of volunteer sampling

A

convenient and cheap

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46
Q

disadvantages of volunteer sampling

A

likely to have a typical volunteer personality

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47
Q

stratified sampling

A

aims to represent the sub groups (strata) realistically

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48
Q

advantages of stratified sampling

A

free from researcher bias, accurately represents the population

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49
Q

what is the BPS code of ethics built around? (4)

A

respect, competence, responsibility and integrity

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50
Q

name the 6 ethical issues

A

consent, right to withdraw, protection from harm, confidentiality, deception and privacy

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51
Q

advantages of using independent groups

A

less demand characteristics, easy to compare

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52
Q

disadvantages of using independent groups

A

different variables in each group, confounding variables, less validity, time consuming

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53
Q

advantages of repeated measures

A

more controlled variables, fewer ppts so cheaper

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54
Q

disadvantages of repeated measures

A

demand characteristics- can use counterbalancing, confounding variables

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55
Q

advantages of using matched pairs

A

less demand characteristics

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56
Q

disadvantages of using matched pairs

A

never an exact match, time consuming and expensive

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57
Q

what is a pilot study?

A

small scale version of an investigation that takes place before the real thing allowing the researcher to make changes if necessary

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58
Q

single blind procedure

A

participants are not told the true aim of a study to reduce demand characteristics

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59
Q

double blind procedure

A

neither the participant or the researcher are aware of the aim of the investigation, eg in a drug trial

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60
Q

controlled observation

A

some variables are controlled by the researcher, ppts are likely to know they are being studied

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61
Q

participant observation

A

the researcher becomes a member of the group they are recording

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62
Q

naturalistic observation

A

behaviour studied in a natural situation where everything has been left as normal

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63
Q

overt observation

A

participants behaviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge and consent
observer is clearly visible

64
Q

covert observation

A

participants behaviour watched and recorded without their knowledge and consent

65
Q

non participant observation

A

the researcher stays outside the group they are watching and recording

66
Q

advantages of naturalistic observations

A

high external validity

67
Q

disadvantages of naturalistic observations

A

hard to replicate, extraneous variables

68
Q

advantages of controlled observations

A

easier to replicate, less extraneous variables

69
Q

disadvantages of controlled observations

A

low external validity

70
Q

advantages of covert observations

A

removes demand characteristics, high internal validity

71
Q

disadvantages of covert observations

72
Q

advantages of overt observations

73
Q

disadvantages of overt observations

A

demand characteristics

74
Q

advantages of participant observations

A

increased insight into the ppts increases the external validity

75
Q

disadvantages of participant observations

A

lose objectivity if they become too close with participants

76
Q

advantages of non participant observations

A

keep objectivity

77
Q

disadvantages of non participant observations

A

may lose valuable insight if too far removed

78
Q

what is an unstructured observation

A

where the researcher writes down everything they see

79
Q

what is a structured observation

A

only observe target behaviours

80
Q

what are behavioural categories

A

when the target behaviour is broken down into operationalised components

81
Q

what is event sampling

A

a target behaviour is established and the researcher records every time this behaviour occurs

82
Q

what is time sampling

A

a target individual or group is established and the researcher records how often a target behaviour occurs eg every 60 seconds

83
Q

what is interobserver reliability

A

observations carried out by at least two researchers , then the data is compared to check that it is reliable

84
Q

what is an advantage of a structured observation

A

recording data is easier and more systematic

85
Q

what is a disadvantage of an unstructured observation

A

produce qualitative data which is more difficult to record and analyse

86
Q

what is an advantage of an unstructured observation

A

more detail and depth to the data obtained

87
Q

what is a disadvantage of an unstructured observation

A

may have observer bias

88
Q

what is an advantage of using behavioural categories

A

makes data more structured

89
Q

what do you need to ensure when making behavioural categories

A

categories must be clear, should check that all forms of the target behaviour are in that category, categories must be exclusive

90
Q

when is event sampling useful

A

when the target behaviour doesnt happen often

91
Q

what is a potential problem with event sampling

A

could overlook other important details

92
Q

when is time sampling useful

A

means less observations can be made

93
Q

what is a problem with time sampling

A

could be unrepresentative

94
Q

what are self report techniques

A

a person is asked to state their personal feelings about a topic

95
Q

what is a questionnaire

A

set of written questions used to assess someones thoughts or experiences

96
Q

what is an interview

A

a live encounter where an interviewer asks someone questions to find out about their experiences

97
Q

what is an open question

A

question without a fixed answer, can answer in any way you wish

98
Q

what type of data do questionnaires produce

A

qualitative

99
Q

what is a closed question

A

question with a fixed number of responses

100
Q

what type of data do closed questions produce

A

quantitative

101
Q

what is a structured interview

A

interview where the questions are predetermined and in a fixed order

102
Q

what is an unstructured interview

A

more like a conversation, just discuss a general topic

103
Q

what is a semi structured interview

A

ask specific questions but can also make up more questions based on the response eg a job interview

104
Q

what is a strength of a questionnaire

A

cost effective and can quickly gather lots of data, easy to analyse

105
Q

what is a limitation of a questionnaire

A

may not respond truthfully

106
Q

what is social desirability bias

A

type of demand characteristic, people want to present themselves in a positive way

107
Q

what is response bias

A

respondents tend to reply in a similar way eg always tick yes

108
Q

what is acquiescence bias

A

where people tend to agree with a questionnaire regardless of what its asking

109
Q

whats an advantage of a structured interview

A

easy to replicate

110
Q

whats a disadvantage of a structured interview

A

limits the depth of the data

111
Q

whats an advantage of an unstructured interview

A

more flexibiltity

112
Q

whats a disadvantage of an unstructured interview

A

may be interview bias

113
Q

what is a likert scale

A

respondent indicates the extent they agree with a statement, eg strongly agree

114
Q

what is a rating scale

A

picks a numerical value to represent their feelings towards a topic

115
Q

what is a fixed choice option

A

indicate which options are applicable to them

116
Q

what is important to consider when designing an interview

A

interview schedule should include standardised questions, make the interviewee feel comfortable and remind them that the answers they give will be treated confidentially

117
Q

what is important to consider when writing questions for self report

A

use language the interviewee will understand, avoid leading questions and double barrelled questions or negatives

118
Q

what is a correlation

A

strength and direction of an association between variables

119
Q

what are covariables

A

variables being investigated in a correlation

120
Q

how are correlations plotted

A

on a scattergraph

121
Q

what are the types of correlation

A

positive, negative, zero

122
Q

what is the problem with using a correlation rather than an experiment when making assumptions?

A

Correlation does not imply causation (casual conclusions)

123
Q

list the advantages of using correlations

A

can see if variables are related, quick and cheap to carry out, no need for a controlled environment, don’t need to manipulate variables, can use secondary data

124
Q

list the disadvantages of using correlations

A

cannot determine cause and effect, may be an intervening variable

125
Q

what is primary data

A

original data collected first hand by a researcher by doing an experiment

126
Q

what is secondary data

A

information that someone else has collected

127
Q

what is qualitative data

A

data expressed in words

128
Q

what is quantitative data

A

data expressed numerically

129
Q

what is a meta analysis

A

combine findings of a study on a certain topic

130
Q

what is an advantage of qualitative data

A

richer in detail, greater external validity

131
Q

what is a disadvantage of quantitative data

A

harder to analyse, interpretations may be biased

132
Q

what is an advantage of quantitative data

A

easy to analyse, less open to bias

133
Q

what is a disadvantage of quantitative data

A

has less meaning, fails to represent real life

134
Q

what is an advantage of primary data

A

suitable for the question being asked

135
Q

what is a disadvantage of primary data

A

time and effort

136
Q

what is an advantage of secondary data

A

inexpensive, less effort

137
Q

disadvantage of secondary data

A

information may not be useful or is outdated

138
Q

what is a descriptive statistic

A

gives measures of central tendency(averages)

139
Q

what is the mean

A

add all the numbers, divide by how many they are, easily distorted by extreme values

140
Q

what is the median

A

middle value in a data set from lowest to highest, not affected by extreme values however these may be important

141
Q

what is the mode

A

most frequently occurring value

142
Q

what are measures of dispersion

A

spread of the scores

143
Q

what is the range

A

take away highest and lowest values, add 1

144
Q

what is the standard deviation

A

how far scores are from the mean

145
Q

what are scatter graphs used for

A

shows an association between variables

146
Q

what are bar charts used for

A

show the difference in mean values, discrete data, bars which are separated

147
Q

what are histograms used for

A

continuous data, shows the frequency which is represented by the area of the bar

148
Q

what is an abstract

A

summary of aims and hypotheses, method, results and conclusions

149
Q

what is an introduction

A

several studies are summarised leading to the aim and hypotheses of the research

150
Q

what is the method

A

needs to have enough detail to replicate the experiment, include design, sampling, materials used etc

151
Q

what are the results

A

include statistics, and whether we reject or accept the null hypothesis

152
Q

what is the discussion

A

where the results are verbally explained, discuss the study limitations and how it could be improved in the future

153
Q

what is peer review

A

when all aspects of an investigation are scrutinised by experts, who are objective and unknown

154
Q

what are the aims of peer review

A

allocate research funding, see the quality and relevance of the research, suggest improvements

155
Q

what are issues with peer review

A

anonymity may not always be positive, could be publication bias, discriminates some research

156
Q

what is a correlation coefficient

A

value between 1 and -1 telling us how strong a relationship between variables is, closer to +1 or -1 means a stronger relationship

z - psychology paper two (8 decks)

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