research methods - key words Flashcards
demand characteristics
- clues given by the researcher of the true aim of the study
- ppts change behaviour to help or hinder the research
randomisation (control)
- items/ features of study selected by chance to avoid bias
- eg words in memory experiment should be randomly selected
- eg ppts in conditions should be randomly decided
standardisation (control)
- keep environment and instructions the same for all ppts
- use standardised instructions and procedures for all ppts
individual differences
characteristics of individual ppts that might influence the result of the study
order effects
the order in which conditions occur may cause ppts to become bored, better or fatigued by the next condition
random allocation (control)
- all ppts have equal chance of being in either condition therefore unlikely to have all ppts in one condition to share a characteristic
- write names on equal pieces of paper, put into hate, pull out of hat until got desired sample. put half in cond 1 and half in cond 2
counterbalancing (AB/BA)
- controls and reduces order effects
- half ppts complete cond A then cond B while other half complete cond B then A
- order effects balanced across both conditions
population
group of people who are the focus of the research
sample
small group of people taken from target population to take part in research
open questions
- ppts answer using own words
- ppts express their views
- responses in greater detail
closed questions
- ppts responses fixed
- yes/no or rating scales
qualitative data
- non numerical
- provides detailed data with human meaning
quantitative data
- numerical form
- rating scales
correlation coefficient
- result from a stats test which tells us how strong or weak a correlation is
- range from -1 to +1
case study
- in depth study conducted into one group/person
- can be over a long period of time and often alongside other techniques which produce in depth qualitative data
- gather data from individual being studied but also from family and friends of the individual
deception (ethics)
ppts not told true aim of study deliberately, prevents ppts from showing demand characteristics
informed consent (ethics)
ppts give permission to take part in study after being informed of true aims of research
also given the right to withdraw
protection from harm (ethics)
ppts should be psychologically and physically protected from harm
mustn’t be placed at any more risk than everyday life
confidentiality (ethics)
ppts details and data remain anonymous so they cannot be identified in the research
researcher uses fake names/initials
operationalise
to be specific and clear when defining
