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Psychology > Research Methods L1-4 > Flashcards

Research Methods L1-4 Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the independent and dependent variable?

A

IV- variable that the researcher manipulates to determine its effect on the DV. May be divided into levels called experimental conditions.
May be a control condition to provide a standard to compare experimental conditions against.
DV- variable being measured.

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2
Q

What is operationalisation?

A

Defining the variables in such a way to make them measurable.
The IV and DV should be operationalised.

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3
Q

What are extraneous and confounding variables?

A

EV- any variables other than the IV that COULD affect the DV.

CV- any variables other than the IV that HAVE affected the DV

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4
Q

Explain laboratory experiments.

A
  • are carried out in controlled environment.
  • therefore allows researcher to exert high level of control over the IV and eliminate any EV.
  • researcher can measure the change in the DV caused by their manipulation of the IV.
  • pps randomly allocated to a condition to prevent any bias.
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5
Q

Advantages of laboratory experiments.

A
  1. High level of control means it is easy to control for any EV and prevent them becoming CV.
  2. As the researcher can manipulate the IV, a cause and effect relationship between the IV and DV can be established.
  3. Easily replicated by other researchers to see if similar results are obtained.
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6
Q

Disadvantages of laboratory experiments.

A
  1. Demand characteristics- is a type of EV.

2. Lacks mundane realism- due to high level of control over IV and EV. Therefore lacks ecological validity.

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7
Q

What are field experiments?

A
  • carried out in the real world.

- IV manipulated by researcher to see effect on DV.

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8
Q

Advantages of field experiments?

A
  1. More mundane realism and ecological validity.
  2. Cause and effect relationship between IV and DV can be established as researcher can manipulate the IV.
  3. Less chance of demand characteristics- pps may not know they are taking part in an experiment.
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9
Q

Disadvantages of field experiments?

A
  1. Much less control over EV so effect on DV may not be caused by the IV. Therefore research not valid.
  2. Less control over the sample of pps.
  3. Difficult to replicate.
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10
Q

What is a natural experiment?

A

Experiment in which the researcher takes advantage of a naturally occurring IV to see its effect on the DV.

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11
Q

Advantages of natural experiments?

A
  1. High level of mundane realism and ecological validity.

2. Useful when it is difficult/ unethical to manipulate the IV or sample in a lab or field experiment.

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12
Q

Disadvantages of natural experiments?

A
  1. Less control over EV.
  2. Difficult to replicate.
  3. Difficult to determine cause and effect due to risk of EV.
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13
Q

What is a quasi experiment?

A
  • contain a naturally occurring IV which is a difference between people that already exists (eg. Gender, age).
    Researcher examines the effect of this variable on the DV.
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14
Q

What is an observation?

A

When a researcher watches or listens to participants engaging in the behaviour that is being studied.

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15
Q

What is participant and non-participant observation?

A

Participant- when the researcher is directly involves with the interactions of the pps.

Non-participant- researcher does not get directly involved with the interactions of the participants.

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16
Q

What is covert and overt observation?

A

Covert- psychologist goes undercover and does not reveal their true identity. Group doesn’t know they are being observed.

Overt- researcher observes and records behaviour of a group who know they are being observed by the psychologist. Observer effects can occur as pps may change behaviour, so results aren’t valid.

17
Q

What is a naturalistic observation?

A

Researcher observes pps in their own environment.

-there is no deliberate manipulation of the IV.

18
Q

Advantages of naturalistic observations?

A
  1. Usually covert observation- pps unaware so less chance of observer effects.
  2. High mundane realism and ecological validity.
  3. Useful when deliberate manipulation of variables would be unethical/impractical.
19
Q

Disadvantages of naturalistic observations?

A
  1. Not possible to have control over EV.
  2. Problematic to determine cause of a behaviour.
  3. Risk of observer bias- occurs when observer knows aim/hypothesis and this influences their observations.
20
Q

What is a controlled observation?

A

Researcher observes pps in a controlled environment.

- this allows for manipulation of the IV.

21
Q

Advantages of controlled observations?

A
  1. Cause and effect can be determined.
  2. Extraneous variables can be controlled for.
  3. Rich and complex information is obtained.
22
Q

Disadvantages of controlled observations?

A
  1. Low mundane realism and ecological validity.
  2. Risk of observer effects- due to overt observation.
  3. Risk of observer bias.
23
Q

What is quantitative and qualitative data?

A

Quantitative- data that can be counted or expressed numerically.
Qualitative- non-numerical data that uses words to give a description.

24
Q

What is self-report?

A

When pps provide details of their own feelings, thoughts or behaviour to the researcher.

25
Q

What is a structured interview?

A

All pps asked the same questions in the same order.

Provides quantitative data.

26
Q

What is an unstructured interview?

A

An informal in depth conversational exchange between the interviewer and interviewee.
Provides qualitative data.

27
Q

What is a semi-structured interview?

A

Combines structured and unstructured techniques.

Gives both qualitative and quantitative data.

28
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of interviews?

A

+ complicated/sensitive issues are best dealt within an interview.
+ if pps misunderstand a question, it can be clarified.
- risk of interviewer effects (may happen as result of interviewers gender, appearance or manner).
- risk of social desirability bias where people lie to present them self in positive light. Therefore data lacks validity.
- training needed (time-consuming, expensive)

29
Q

What is a questionnaire?

A
  • pps given a written set of questions and instructions on how to answer.
  • mainly focus in individual’s behaviour, opinions, beliefs and attitudes.
  • can involve open/closed questions.
30
Q

What are open and closed questions?

A

Open- allow pps to answer in their own words and interpret the question however they wish. A lot of information (qualitative) is received.

Closed- require pps to answer yes/no or choose from fixed responses. Quantitative data obtained. Researchers can easily collate and display responses.

31
Q

Advantages of questionnaires?

A
  1. Possible to collect large amount of data quickly and conveniently.
  2. Easy to score/collate when questions are closed.
  3. Are standardised to they can be replicated easily.
32
Q

Disadvantages of questionnaires?

A
  1. Pps may misunderstand questions- researcher isn’t there to clarify.
  2. Questions have low response rate.
  3. Can have a biased sample as they can only be suitable for people who are willing to spend time on them. Therefore lacks population validity.
33
Q

What is correlation?

A

A technique for analysing the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables, known as co-variables.
Can be positive, negative or no correlation.

34
Q

Explain correlation coefficient.

A 
The strength of a correlation is known as the correlation coefficient.
The strength is rate between -1 and 1:
0= no correlation.
-1= negative.
1= positive.
35
Q

Advantages of correlations?

A
  1. Allows psychologists to establish the strength of the relationship between two variables and precisely measure them.
  2. Once correlation is found, predictions can be made about one variable based on what is known about the other.
  3. Allows researchers to investigate things that could not be manipulated experimentally for ethical/practical reasons.
36
Q

Disadvantages of correlations?

A
  1. Cannot demonstrate cause and effect. Unclear which variable influences the other.
  2. May be a third unknown variable which influences both.
  3. Can only measure linear relationships, does not detect curvilinear relationships (when positive to a point but then negative).
37
Q

What are the differences between correlations and experiments?

A
  • an experiment isolates and manipulates the IV to observe its effect on the DV. It controls the environment to eliminate EV. The experiments can establish cause and effect.
  • a correlation identifies a relationship between the variables. It can’t establish cause and effect or eliminate the risk of EV.

Psychology (17 decks)

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