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psychology > research methods lessons 1-5 > Flashcards

research methods lessons 1-5 Flashcards

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1
Q

what is the independant variable

A

the variable the researcher manipulates also known as the experimental condition.

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2
Q

what is control condition

A

experiment where the IV is not manipulated

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3
Q

what is the dependant variable

A

the variable that is measured

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4
Q

what is an extraneous variable

A

variables other than the IV that could affect the DV

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5
Q

what is the confounding variable

A

a variable other than the IV that HAS affected the DV

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6
Q

what is operationalisation

A

for an experiment to be successful the DV and IV has to be operationalised. it is defining and stating how to measure it

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7
Q

what is a laboratory experiment

A

an experiment that is carried out in a controlled environment where the experimenter has high control of the IV. Participants are randomly allocated to a condition.

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8
Q

evaluation of lab experiment

A

strengths: high control of IV and extraneous variables so they do not become confounding ones. researcher can establish cause and effect between IV and DV. easily repeatable.
weaknesses: demand characteristics may occur and data can be invalid: social desirability bias. can lack mundane realism when too controlled and low ecological validity.

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9
Q

what is a field experiment

A

experiment carried out in real world or in natural setting but the IV is still manipulated.

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10
Q

evaluation of field experiment

A

strengths: more mundane realism and ecological validity. bc the experimenter can manipulate the IV cause and effect can be established.
weaknesses: less control on extraneous variables which may make results invalid. less control over sample which may not represent population. hard to replicate

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11
Q

what is a natural experiment

A

experiment than takes advantage of naturally occurring IV. measures variables that aren’t directly manipulated by experimenter.

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12
Q

evaluation of natural experiment

A

strengths: high mundane realism and ecological validity. useful when having to manipulate IV is unethical.
weaknesses: low control over extraneous variables and difficult to replicate so it is unreliable.

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13
Q

what is quasi experiment

A

experiment that contains naturally occurring IV but it is a difference between people that already exists. usually takes place in laboratory setting.

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14
Q

evaluation of quasi experiment

A

strengths: high level of control and extraneous variables are minimised. replication is likely so more reliable.
weaknesses: lack of ecological validity and demand characteristics may occur which may make results invalid.

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15
Q

design of observations

A

can be done by recording data or sampling behaviour

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16
Q

what is non-participant observation

A

when the researcher does not get direct,y involved with the interactions of pps and do not take part in the activities

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17
Q

evaluation of non participant observation

A

strengths: less chance of pps showing demand characteristics and researcher can make quality notes
weaknesses: researcher won’t be able to control variables very well so it may lack validity.

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18
Q

what is participant observation

A

when the researcher is directly involved in interactions and activities with participants

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19
Q

evaluation of participant observation

A

strengths: gives researcher better understanding and can control variables more tightly
weaknesses: may show experimenter bias and won’t be able to make quality notes. demand characteristics

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20
Q

what is covert observation

A

when the psychologist observes pps undercover

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21
Q

evaluation of covert observation

A

strengths: less chance of pps showing demand characteristics
weaknesses: no inform consent which is unethical

22
Q

what is overt observation

A

when the psychologist reveals their identity and states they are observing the group

23
Q

evaluation of overt observation

A

strengths: it is ethical as there is no deception and is clear cut
weaknesses: pps may show demand characteristics and there is observer effect which makes results invalid

24
Q

what is naturalistic observation

A

the researchers observes pps in their natural environment with no deliberate manipulation

25
Q

evaluation of naturalistic observation

A

strengths: pps are usually unaware so results are valid. high mundane realism. useful when the manipulation of variables would be unethical.
weaknesses: can’t control extraneous variables. cause and effect cannot be established. risk of observer bias .

26
Q

what is controlled observation

A

observes pps in a controlled environment and allows for manipulation of the IV.

27
Q

evaluation of controlled observation

A

strengths: cause and effect can be determined and extraneous variables can be controlled. can give detailed qualitative data.
weaknesses: lack of mundane realism and ecological validity. observer effects can occur and observer bias

28
Q

what is observer bias

A

the observer knows the purpose of the study and so they may observe behaviours that fit their aims which influence how they record data. use two observers. kappa score of +0.8 is gained then its reliable. known as inter-rater reliability

29
Q

what are behavioural categories

A

types of behaviour looked for in an observation

30
Q

what is event sampling

A

when observer records all occurrences of the types of behaviour they are interested in

31
Q

what is time interval sampling

A

observer decides in advance that observation will take place during specified time periods

32
Q

what is a pilot study

A

small scale investigation with a small number of pps and trialling out on them. can help spot ambiguities. good to establish behavioural categories and get rid of practical problems

33
Q

what is a structured interview

A

all pps asked the same questions in order. provides quantitative data. consists of closed questions

34
Q

evaluation of structure interview

A

strengths: if pps misunderstand question it can be clarified. interviews are more quick
weaknesses: risk of interviewer effect where interviewer may affect answer due to appearance or manner. lack quality and in depth data and so results may be invalid

35
Q

what is an unstructured interview

A

in depth conversation exchange. provides qualitative data with open questions

36
Q

evaluation of unstructured interview

A

strengths: useful when investigating controversial topics
weaknesses: risk of social desirability bias. more time consuming and expensive as interviewer has to be trained.

37
Q

what is a semi structured interview

A

mix of both interviews producing qualitative and quantitative data and consists of open and closed questions

38
Q

points to consider when designing questionnaire

A

type of data - closed/ open questions
ambiguity - avoid unclear questions
double barrelled questions - avoid using two linked questions in one
leading questions - avoid using questions that lead the pps to answer in a certain way
complexity - use clear english

39
Q

evaluation of questionnaire

A

strengths: quick easy and cheap compared to interviews. can have large sample. easy to replicate so is reliable
weaknesses: can be ambiguous and unclear and researcher isn’t there to explain. low response rate

40
Q

what are correlations

A

analysing the strength of a relationship between two quantitative variables known as co variables

41
Q

what can the strength of correlations be between

A

-1 and +1
strength of correlation is correlation coefficient

42
Q

what are correlations plotted on

A

scatter graphs

43
Q

evaluation of correlations

A

strengths: establishes strength of relationship between two variables. allows to investigate things that could not be manipulated. provides conclusion.
weaknesses: cannot demonstrate cause and effect as we cannot tell which variable influences the other. may be third variable. only measures linear relationships not curvilinear.

44
Q

what is an aim of a study

A

precise statement about purpose of study. should include what is being studied and what it is trying to achieve.

45
Q

what is second step of study

A

operationalising the variables

46
Q

what is the hypothesis

A

precise statement about the outcome of a study.

47
Q

what is a null hypothesis

A

states the IV will have no effect on the DV

48
Q

what is the experimental hypothesis

A

that the IV will have an effect on the DV

49
Q

what is non directional hypotheses (two tailed)

A

does not state direction of stated differences

50
Q

what is a directed hypothesis (one tailed)

A

does state the direction of predicted difference

psychology (25 decks)

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