Research methods key terms Flashcards
What is the independent variable
an event that is directly manipulated by an experimentor in order to tests its effect on the DV
dependent variable
a measurable outcome of the action of the independent variable in the experiment
aim
a statement of what the researcher intends to find out in the research study
hypothesis
a precise and testable statement about the assumed relationship between variables
directional hypothesis
states the direction of the predicted difference between two conditions or two groups
non-directional hypothesis
predicts that there is a difference between the two conditions or two groups without stating the difference
null hypothesis
predicts that there will be no difference between conditions or relationships and any difference is too small to be due to anything other than chance factors
what is a research hypothesis?
a general prediction made at the beginning of the stdy as to what the research expects to happen, this is not operationalised
what is an alternative hypothesis
a general predicition made at the beginning of the study as to what the experimenter expects to happen but is operationalised
experimental hypothesis
same as alternative but only used in experiments
extraneous variable
do not vary systematically with the iv therefore are not an alternative iv but they may have an effect on the dv
confounding variable
a variable that is not the iv but varies systematically with the iv, this would act as an alternative iv and could effect the dv making the results worthless
what is internal validity
the degree to which an observed effect was due to the experimental manipulation rather than other factors such as confounding and extraneous variables
external validity
the degrees to which a research finding can be generalised to other settings (ecological), time (historical) and people (population)
Operationalise
ensuring that all variables are in a form that can easily be measured and tested
what is a random error
an error that occurs when an extraneous variable affects the participants in a random way
constant error
an error that effects the dv in a consistent and systematic way so is more of a problem
participant effects
characteristics of the participant that may effect the outcome of the study
situational effects
factors about the environment or setting that could effect the dv or behaviour of the participants
experimenter effects
factors relating to the investigator that could effect the outcome
what is order effect
repeated measures that can effect the performance
mundane realism
refers to how a study can mirror the real world
What is a demand characteristic?
A cue that makes participants unconsciously aware of the aims of the study and helps the participants work out what the researcher expects to find
What is investigator effects?
Anything that an investigator does that has an effects on a participants performance in a study other then what was intended
Population
Group of people that the researcher is interested in
Sampling
The method used to select participants
