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🧠 > Research Methods: L1-5 > Flashcards

Research Methods: L1-5 Flashcards

1
Q

Independent variable

A

The variable the researcher manipulates to determine its effect on the DV. Can be divided into levels - experimental conditions

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2
Q

Control condition

A

Provides a standard which experimental conditions are measured

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3
Q

Dependent variable

A

The variable being measured

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4
Q

Extraneous variables

A

Any variables other than IV that could affect the DV

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5
Q

Confounding variables

A

Any variables (other than IV) that have affected the DV eg light or noise

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6
Q

Operationalisation

A

The variables must be defined and stated how it was measured. Eg ‘aggression means how angry or irritated a person is and this can be measured by displays of verbal or physical acts of aggression in a 10 minute period’

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7
Q

Laboratory experiments

A

Experiments are carried out in a controlled environment, allowing a high level of control over the IV and eliminate any EV.
Participants are randomly allocated.
The setting is artificial.

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8
Q

Observations

A

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

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9
Q

Design of observations

A
  1. Recording data - Make written notes or audio/visual recordings for a permanent record
  2. Categorising data - Define variables into categories and operationalise
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10
Q

Advantages of laboratory experiments

A
  • High level of control over the IV and conditions (easy to control extraneous variables)
  • The researcher can manipulate the IV to establish a cause and effect relationship between the IV & DV
  • The experiment can be easily repeated to test reliability
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11
Q

Disadvantages of laboratory experiments

A
  • Demand characteristics might occur within the study. Some participants may display social desirability bias (behaving in a more positive light than normal)
  • A high level of control over the IV and EV may lead to a lack in mundane realism (the extent the experiments reflect real life) this can lead to a lack in ecological validity
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12
Q

Field experiments

A

When the experiment is carried out in the real world or a natural setting, rather than a lab setting

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13
Q

Advantages of field experiments

A
  • More mundane realism and ecological validity than in a lab (better reflects life)
  • Researcher can manipulate the IV to establish a cause and effect relationship between the IV and DV
  • Lower chance of demand characteristics as people may behave more naturally
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14
Q

Disadvantages of field experiments

A
  • Less control over EV, therefore validity may come into question
  • Less control over the subject (may not be representative of the population)
  • Difficult to replicate (unreliable)
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15
Q

Natural experiments

A

The researcher takes advantage of naturally occurring IV (not manipulated by by the experimenter) to see its affect on the DV

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16
Q

Advantages of natural experiment

A
  • High level of ecological validity and mundane realism when compared to lab experiments
  • Useful when impossible/unethical to manipulate the IV
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17
Q

Disadvantages of natural experiments

A
  • Low control over EV
  • Difficult to replicate (reliability)
  • Difficult to determine cause and effect
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18
Q

Quasi experiments

A

Contain a naturally occurring IV (the difference between people that already exists eg age) the researcher examines the defect this has on the DV

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19
Q

Advantages of quasi experiments

A
  • High level of control
  • Replication is very likely
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20
Q

Disadvantages of quasi experiments

A
  • Lack of ecological validity
  • Demand characteristics may occur
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21
Q

Observations

A

When a researcher watches/listens to participants engaging in the behaviour they are studying

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22
Q

Design of observations

A

Recording data - Make written/audio recording for a permanent record
Categorising data - Define observable data into categories

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23
Q

Non-participant observations

A

When the researcher is not directly involved in the activity/interactions of participants

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24
Q

Advantage of non-participant observation

A

Prevents the researcher from developing bias as they are an objective observer

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25
Q

Disadvantage of non-participant observation

A

People may feel they are being watched and act differently, preventing accurate results

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26
Q

Participant observation

A

When the researcher is directly involved in the activities/interactions between participants

27
Q

Participant observation advantage

A

Allows for an insider perspective, and better understanding of reactions

28
Q

Participant observation disadvantage

A

Risk of developing a bias, and not all interactions may be fairly observed (does not work for a large group)

29
Q

Covert observation

A

When the researcher goes undercover so the group does not know they are being observed

30
Q

Covert observation advantage

A

Allows access to certain groups & builds trust, allowing more accurate information to be gained

31
Q

Covert observation disadvantage

A

Deception (ethical issue) for lying to others to gain information

32
Q

Overt observation

A

The researcher reveals who they are to the group

33
Q

Overt observation advantages

A

There are no ethical issues, as participants are aware they are being observed

34
Q

Overt observation disadvantage

A

May lead to observer effects (participants changing their behaviour) causing invalid results

35
Q

Naturalistic observation

A

A researcher observed participants in their natural environment with no manipulation of the IV

36
Q

Naturalistic observation advantages

A
  • Participants are unaware they are being observed, reducing observer effects and increasing validity
  • High mundane realism as behaviour reflects everyday
  • High ecological validity = Results can be generalised
  • Useful when direct manipulation of variables is impractical or unethical
37
Q

Controlled observation

A

A researcher watches pps in a controlled environment - allowing manipulation of IV

38
Q

Advantages of controlled observation

A
  • Cause and effect can be determined due to high control = Easily identify IV & DV
  • Extraneous variables can be controlled = More valid results
  • Rich and detailed qualitative data = Higher validity
39
Q

Disadvantages of controlled observations

A
  • Low levels of mundane realism and Ecological Validity = cannot generalise
  • Observer effects due to pps knowing they are being observed
  • Risk of observer bias
40
Q

Inter-rarer reliability

A

Have two observers who record data separately. If data is within a +0.8 Kappa score then data is reliable. Prevents observer bias

41
Q

Behavioural categories

A

Specific behaviours looked for in an observation

42
Q

Event sampling

A

The observer decides in advance what behaviour they are interested in and records all occurrences

43
Q

Time interval sampling

A

Observation only takes place in specific times eg every 10 minutes

44
Q

Self report techniques

A

Research method where pps give info about themselves without researcher interference

45
Q

Structured interview

A

Same questions in the same order. Provides quantitative data, and involves closed questions

46
Q

Advantages of a structured interview

A
  • Misunderstood questions may be clarified
  • Quicker than unstructured interviews
47
Q

Disadvantages of structured interviews

A
  • Risk of interviewer effects (interviewer affects pps answer)
  • Lack of quantitative and in depth data
48
Q

Unstructured interview

A

An informal in depth conversation exchange between interviewer and interviewee
Questions are not preplanned, provides qualitative and in depth data. Open questions.

49
Q

Advantage of unstructured interviews

A
  • Useful when investigating sensitive topics -> Allows better investigation of topics
  • More natural -> allows the pps to feel more comfortable
50
Q

Disadvantage of unstructured interviews

A
  • Risk of social desirability bias
  • Interviewers must be well trained to gain relevant data
51
Q

Semi-structured interview

A

Mix of structured & unstructured, produces qualitative and quantitative data & consists of open and closed questions

52
Q

Advantages of semi structured interviewers

A
  • Gain a better understanding than structured
  • Less time consuming than unstructured
53
Q

Disadvantages of semi structured interviewers

A
  • Risk of social desirability bias
  • Interviewer effect may occur
54
Q

Questionnaire advantages

A
  • Quick, easy and cheap compared to interviews
  • Easy to replicate & test for reliability
55
Q

Questionnaire disadvantages

A
  • May be ambiguous
  • Low response rate (esp when sent by post)
56
Q

Correlation

A

The relationship between two things
Positive - Both increase
Negative - As one increases the other decreases
No correlation - No relationship

57
Q

Advantages of correlations

A
  • Allows researchers to see strengths of relationships
  • Investigate things that cannot be manipulated due to impracticality or ethical reasons
  • Predictions can be made based on correlations
58
Q

Disadvantage of correlations

A
  • Cannot demonstrate cause and effect
  • There may be an unknown variable influencing results
  • Do not detect curvilinear relationships
59
Q

Aim

A

Purpose of the study

60
Q

Null hypothesis

A

This states the IV has no effect on the DV

61
Q

Alternative/experimental hypothesis

A

Predicts the IV will have an effect on the DV

62
Q

Non-directional hypothesis: Two tailed

A

Does not state the direction of the predicted differences between conditions

63
Q

Directional hypothesis: one tailed

A

States the direction of predicted difference between conditions

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