research methods lessons 1-5 Flashcards
what is the independant variable
the variable the researcher manipulates also known as the experimental condition.
what is control condition
experiment where the IV is not manipulated
what is the dependant variable
the variable that is measured
what is an extraneous variable
variables other than the IV that could affect the DV
what is the confounding variable
a variable other than the IV that HAS affected the DV
what is operationalisation
for an experiment to be successful the DV and IV has to be operationalised. it is defining and stating how to measure it
what is a laboratory experiment
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.
evaluation of lab experiment
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.
what is a field experiment
experiment carried out in real world or in natural setting but the IV is still manipulated.
evaluation of field experiment
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
what is a natural experiment
experiment than takes advantage of naturally occurring IV. measures variables that aren’t directly manipulated by experimenter.
evaluation of natural experiment
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.
what is quasi experiment
experiment that contains naturally occurring IV but it is a difference between people that already exists. usually takes place in laboratory setting.
evaluation of quasi experiment
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.
design of observations
can be done by recording data or sampling behaviour
what is non-participant observation
when the researcher does not get direct,y involved with the interactions of pps and do not take part in the activities
evaluation of non participant observation
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.
what is participant observation
when the researcher is directly involved in interactions and activities with participants
evaluation of participant observation
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
what is covert observation
when the psychologist observes pps undercover
evaluation of covert observation
strengths: less chance of pps showing demand characteristics
weaknesses: no inform consent which is unethical
what is overt observation
when the psychologist reveals their identity and states they are observing the group
evaluation of overt observation
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
what is naturalistic observation
the researchers observes pps in their natural environment with no deliberate manipulation
evaluation of naturalistic observation
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 .
what is controlled observation
observes pps in a controlled environment and allows for manipulation of the IV.
evaluation of controlled observation
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
what is observer bias
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
what are behavioural categories
types of behaviour looked for in an observation
what is event sampling
when observer records all occurrences of the types of behaviour they are interested in
what is time interval sampling
observer decides in advance that observation will take place during specified time periods
what is a pilot study
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
what is a structured interview
all pps asked the same questions in order. provides quantitative data. consists of closed questions
evaluation of structure interview
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
what is an unstructured interview
in depth conversation exchange. provides qualitative data with open questions
evaluation of unstructured interview
strengths: useful when investigating controversial topics
weaknesses: risk of social desirability bias. more time consuming and expensive as interviewer has to be trained.
what is a semi structured interview
mix of both interviews producing qualitative and quantitative data and consists of open and closed questions
points to consider when designing questionnaire
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
evaluation of questionnaire
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
what are correlations
analysing the strength of a relationship between two quantitative variables known as co variables
what can the strength of correlations be between
-1 and +1
strength of correlation is correlation coefficient
what are correlations plotted on
scatter graphs
evaluation of correlations
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.
what is an aim of a study
precise statement about purpose of study. should include what is being studied and what it is trying to achieve.
what is second step of study
operationalising the variables
what is the hypothesis
precise statement about the outcome of a study.
what is a null hypothesis
states the IV will have no effect on the DV
what is the experimental hypothesis
that the IV will have an effect on the DV
what is non directional hypotheses (two tailed)
does not state direction of stated differences
what is a directed hypothesis (one tailed)
does state the direction of predicted difference
