Research Methods Flash cards
What is the independent variable?
The variable that is manipulated or changed
It is the presumed cause in an experiment.
Define extraneous variable.
A variable other than the IV that could impact the DV
It can introduce noise into the experiment and confound results.
What does deception mean in research?
When participants are not fully informed of the purpose of the study
This could be necessary to prevent bias in the results.
What is qualitative data?
Rich, in-depth data which is not numbers. Can be text, photos, videos, etc.
It contrasts with quantitative data that focuses on numbers.
What is the single-blind technique?
When the participant does not know which condition of an experiment they are in
This helps reduce demand characteristics.
Describe matched pairs design.
An independent groups design where participants are matched on a particular characteristic (e.g. IQ, age, gender)
This minimizes participant variables.
What is the main purpose of experiments?
To look for the effect that manipulated variables (IVs) have on measured variables (DVs)
It aims to establish causal effects.
What characterizes lab experiments?
Conducted in a well-controlled environment where accurate measurements are possible
Participants are randomly allocated to each independent variable group.
What is a strength of laboratory experiments?
Easier to replicate due to standardized procedures
This enhances reliability.
What is a limitation of laboratory experiments?
Artificiality may produce unnatural behaviour, leading to low ecological validity
Findings may not generalize to real-life settings.
Define field experiments.
Conducted in the everyday environment of the participants
IV is manipulated in a real-life setting.
What is a strength of field experiments?
Behaviour is more likely to reflect real life, leading to higher ecological validity
Participants often do not know they are being studied.
What is a limitation of field experiments?
Less control over extraneous variables, making replication difficult
This can bias the results.
What are natural experiments?
Conducted in real-life environments where the experimenter has no control over the IV
The IV occurs naturally.
What is a strength of natural experiments?
High ecological validity as behaviour reflects real-life situations
Less likelihood of demand characteristics affecting results.
What is a limitation of natural experiments?
May be more expensive and time-consuming than lab experiments
Less control can also make replication challenging.
What does reliability refer to in research?
Whether the research can be consistently repeated with the same results
Standardized procedures enhance reliability.
What does validity refer to in research?
Whether the research measures what it intends to
Controlled environments increase validity.
What is the target population (TP)?
The entire group of people the psychologist wants their findings to be relevant to
It’s often large and not all can participate.
What is random sampling?
Every member of the TP has an equal chance of being selected
Names can be drawn from a hat or generated randomly.
Define stratified sampling.
Identifying sub-groups in the TP and selecting a random sample from each
Ensures the sample represents the diversity of the TP.
What is opportunity sampling?
Using people who happen to be available or in a certain place at any given time
This method can lead to biased samples.
What is volunteer sampling?
Participants respond to an advert to take part in the study
This can lead to a biased sample as certain types of people may respond.
What does generalisability refer to?
How widely the findings can be applied beyond the study sample
Large and diverse samples enhance generalisability.
