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psychology year 1 > research methods key words > Flashcards

research methods key words Flashcards

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1
Q

what is an aim?

A

the researchers area of interest- what they are looking at

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2
Q

what is a bar chart?

A

a graph that shows the data in the form of categories that the researcher wishes to compare

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3
Q

what are behaviour categories?

A

key behaviours or collections of behaviours that the researcher conducting the observation will pay attention to an observe

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4
Q

what is a 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 and interviews

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5
Q

what is a case study?

A

in depth investigation of a single person group or event where data are gathered from a variety of sourcescw

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5
Q

what are closed questions?

A

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

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5
Q

what are co variables?

A

the variables investigated in a correlation

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6
Q

what is 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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7
Q

what is confidentially?

A

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

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8
Q

what are confounding variables?

A

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

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9
Q

what is content analysis?

A

technique used to analyse qualitative data which involves coding the written data into categories- converting qualitiatve data into quantitative data quantitative data

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10
Q

what is a 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

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11
Q

what is a controlled observation?

A

an observation study where the researchers control some variables often taking place in a laboratory setting

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12
Q

what is a correlational analysis?

A

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

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13
Q

what is counterbalancing?

A

a way of trying to control for order effects in a repeated measure 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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14
Q

what is a covert observation?

A

also known as an undisclosed observation as the ppts don’t know their behaviour is being observed

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15
Q

what is critical value?

A

the value that a test statistic must reach in order for the hypothesis to be correct

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16
Q

what is debriefing?

A

After completing the research the true aim is revealed to the ppt. Aim of debriefing= turn the person to the state s/he was in before they took part

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17
Q

what is deception?

A

involves misleading ppts about the purpose of the study

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18
Q

what is demand characteristics?

A

occurs when ppts 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

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19
Q

what is a dependent variable?

A

the variable that is measured to tell you the outcome

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20
Q

what are descriptive statistics?

A

analysis of data that helps describe show or summarise data in a meaningful way

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21
Q

what is a directional hypothesis?

A

a one tailed hypothesis that states the direction of the difference or relationship, eg. boys are more helpful than girls

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22
Q

what is a dispersion measure?

A

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

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23
Q

what is a double blind control?

A

ppts are not told the true purpose of the research, and the experimenter is also blind to at least some aspects of the research design

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24
Q

what is ecological validity?

A

the extent to which the findings of a research study are able to be generalised to real life setting

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25
Q

what are ethical guidelines?

A

these are provided by the BPS they are rules by which all psychologists should operate, including those carrying out the research

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26
Q

what are ethical issues?

A

there are 3 main ethical issues that occur in psychological research- deception, lack of informed consent, and lack of protection of ppts

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27
Q

what is evaluation apprehension?

A

ppts behaviour is distorted as they fear being judged by observers

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28
Q

what is event sampling?

A

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

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29
Q

what is an experimental group?

A

the group that received the experimental treatment, e.g sleep derivation

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30
Q

what is external validity?

A

whether it’s possible to generalise the results beyond the experimental setting

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31
Q

what is an extraneous variable

A

variables that if not controlled may affect the DV and produce a false impression that an IV has produced changes when it hasn’t

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32
Q

what is face validity

A

simple way if 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

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33
Q

what is a field experiment

A

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

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34
Q

what is a histogram?

A

a graph that is used for continuous data. There should be no space between the bars because the data is continous

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35
Q

what is a hypothesis?

A

a formal statement or prediction of what the researcher expects to find. It needs to be testable

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36
Q

what is an independent groups design?

A

an experimental design where each ppt only takes part in one condition or the IV

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37
Q

what is an independent variable?

A

the variable that the experimenter manipulates

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38
Q

what is inferential statistics?

A

ways of analysing data using statical tests that allow the researcher to make conclusions about whether a hypothesis was supported by the results

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39
Q

what is informed consent?

A

psychologists should ensure all ppts are helped to fully understand all aspects of the research before the agree to take part

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40
Q

what is inter observer reliability?

A

the extent to which two or more observers are observing and recording behaviour in the same way

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41
Q

what is internal validity

A

in relation to experiments whether the results were due to the manipulation of the IV rather than other factors such as extraneous variables or demand characteristics

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42
Q

what is interval level data

A

data measured in fixed units with equal distance between points on the scale

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43
Q

what is investigator effects?

A

these result from the effects of a researchers behaviour and characteristics on an investigation

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44
Q

what is a laboratory experiment

A

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

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45
Q

what is a match paired design

A

an experimental design where pairs of ppts are matched on important characteristics and one member allocated to each condition of the IV

46
Q

what is the 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

47
Q

what is the measure of central tendency?

A

a measurement of data that indicates where the middle of the information lies e.g. mean mode median

48
Q

what is the median?

A

measure of central tendency calculated by arranging scores in a set of data from lowest to highest and finding the middle score

49
Q

what is a meta analysis

A

a technique where rather than conducting new research with participants the researchers examine the results of several studies that have already been conducted

50
Q

what is the mode?

A

measure of central tendency which is the most frequently occurring score in a set of data

51
Q

what is a natural experiment?

A

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

52
Q

what is a naturalistic observation?

A

an observation study conducted in the environment where the behaviour would normally occur

53
Q

what is a negative correlation?

A

a relationship exists between two covariables where as one increases the other decreases

54
Q

what is a nominal level data?

A

frequency count data that consists of the number of ppts falling into categories (e.g 7 people passed their driving lesson first time, 6 didn’t)

55
Q

what is a non directional hypothesis?

A

a two tailed hypothesis that doesn’t predict the direction of the difference or relationship (e.g boys and girls are different in terms of happiness)

56
Q

what is a normal distribution?

A

an arrangement of data that is symmetrical and forms a bell shaped pattern where the mean mode and median all fall in the centre at the highest peak

57
Q

what is an observed value?

A

the value that you have obtained from conducting your statistical test

58
Q

what is an observer bias?

A

occurs when the observers know the aims of the study or the hypothesis and allow this knowledge to influence there observations

59
Q

what are open questions?

A

questions where there is no fixed response and ppts can give any answer they like. They generate qualitative data

60
Q

what are operationalising variables?

A

This means clearly describing the variables (IV and DV) in terms of how they will be manipulated (IV) or measured (DV)

61
Q

what is opportunity sampling?

A

a sampling technique where ppts are chosen bc they are easily available

62
Q

what are order effects?

A

order effects can occur in a repeated measures design and refers to how the positioning of tasks influences the outcome e.g practice effect or boredom effect on second task

63
Q

what is ordinal level data?

A

data that is capable of being out into rank order (e.g ratings for attractiveness)

64
Q

what is an overt observation?

A

also known as a disclosed observation as the ppts given their permission for their behaviour to be observed

65
Q

what is ppt observation?

A

observation study where the researcher actually joins the group or takes part in the situation they are observing

66
Q

what is peer review?

A

before going to publication a research report is sent other psychologists who are knowledgeable in the research topic for them to review the study and check for any problems

67
Q

what is peer review?

A

before going to publication a research report is sent other psychologists who are knowledgeable in the re

67
Q

what is peer review?

A

before going to publication a research report is sent other psychologists who are knowledgeable in the re

68
Q

what is a pilot study?

A

a small scale study conducted to ensure the method will work according to

69
Q

what is a positive correlation?

A

a relationship exists between two covariables where as one increases so does the other

70
Q

what is presumptive consent?

A

asking a group of people from the same target population as the sample whether they would agree to take part in such a study if yes then presume the sample would

71
Q

what is primary data?

A

information that the researcher has collected him/herself for a specific purpose e.g data from an experiment or observation

72
Q

what is prior general consent?

A

before ppts are recruited they are asked whether they are prepared to take part in research where they

73
Q

what is probability?

A

how likely something is to happen- can be expressed as a number (0.5) or as a %

74
Q

what is protection of ppts?

A

ppts should be protected from physical or mental health including stress, risk of harm must be no greater than that to which they are exposed in everyday life

75
Q

what is qualitative data?

A

descriptive information that is expressed in words

76
Q

what is quantitative data?

A

information that can be measured and written down with numbers

77
Q

what is a quasi experiment?

A

an experiment often conducted in controlled conditions where the IV simply exists so there can be no random allocation to the conditions

78
Q

what is a questionnaire?

A

a set of written questions that ppts fill in themselves

79
Q

what is random sampling?

A

a sampling technique where everyone in the target population has an equal chance of being selected

80
Q

what is randomisation?

A

refers to the practice of using chance methods (e.g flipping a coin to allocate ppts to the conditions of an investigation)

81
Q

what is the range?

A

a measure of dispersion which involves subtracting the lowest score from the highest score in a set of data

82
Q

what is reliability?

A

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

83
Q

what is a repeated measures design?

A

an experimental design where each ppts take part in both/ all conditions of the IV

84
Q

what is a representative sample?

A

a sample that closely matched the target population as a whole in terms of key variables and characteristics

85
Q

what is retrospective consent?

A

once the true nature of the research has been revealed ppts should be given the right to withdraw their data if they’re not happy

86
Q

what is the right to withdraw?

A

ppts should be aware that they can leave the study at any time even if they have been paid to take part

87
Q

what is a sample?

A

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

88
Q

what is a scattergram?

A

used to plot correlations where each pair of values is plotted against each other to see if there is a relationship between them

89
Q

what is secondary data?

A

information that someone else has collected e.g the work of other psychologists or government statistics

90
Q

what is a semi structured interview?

A

interview that has some predetermined questions but the interviewer can develop others in response to answers given by the ppt

91
Q

what is a sign test?

A

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

92
Q

what is a single blind control?

A

ppts aren’t told the true purpose of the research

93
Q

what is a skewed distribution?

A

an arrangement of data that isn’t symmetrical as data is clustered to one end of the distribution

94
Q

what is social desirability bias?

A

ppts behaviour is distorted as they modify this in order to be seen in a positive light

95
Q

what is standard deviation?

A

a measure of the average spread of scores around the mean. The greater the standard deviation the more spread out the scores are

96
Q

what are standardised instructions?

A

the instructions given to each ppt are kept identical to help prevent experimental bias

97
Q

what are standardised procedures?

A

in every step of the research all the ppts are treated in exactly the same way and so all have the same experience

98
Q

what is a stratified sample?

A

a sampling technique where groups of ppts are selected in proportion to their frequency in the target population

99
Q

what is a structured interview?

A

interview where the questions are fixed and the interviewer reads them out and records the responses

100
Q

what is a structured observation?

A

an observation study using predetermined coding scheme to record the ppts behaviour

101
Q

what is a systematic sample?

A

a sampling technique where each nth person in a list of target population is selected

102
Q

what is a target population?

A

the group that the researchers draws the sample from and wants to be able to generalise the findings to

103
Q

what is temporal validity?

A

refers to how likely it is that the time period when a study was conducted has influenced the findings and whether they can be generalised to other periods in time

104
Q

what is test retest reliability?

A

involves presenting the same ppts with the same test or questionnaire on two separate occasions and seeing whether there is a positive correlation between the two

105
Q

what is thematic analysis

A

a method for analysing qualitative data which involves identifying, analysing and reporting patterns within the data

106
Q

what is time sampling?

A

a way of sampling the behaviour that is being observed by recording what happens in a series of fixed time intervals

107
Q

what is type 1 error

A

a false positive. where you accepts the alternative/ experimental hypothesis when it is false

108
Q

what is type 2 error?

A

it’s a false negative. Where you accept the null hypothesis when it’s false

109
Q

what is an unstructured interview?

A

also known as a clinical interview, there are no fixed questions just general aims and it’s more like a conversation

110
Q

what is an unstructured observation?

A

observation where there is no checklist so every behaviour seen is written down in as much detail as possible

111
Q

what is validity?

A

whether something is true- measures what it sets out to measure

112
Q

what is a volunteer sample?

A

a sampling technique where ppts put themselves forward to take part in research often by answering an advertisement.

psychology year 1 (8 decks)

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