Research Methods - Paper 2 / All Papers Flashcards
What is an aim
General expression of what the researcher intends to investigate
What is an operationalised hypothesis
Statement believed to be true - defined and measurable
What are extraneous variables
More difficult to detect on effect - e.g. age, gender time limits
What are confounding variables
Change with the IV e.g. mood, weather, personality
What are demand characteristics
Cue that may reveal the aim of the study and change of participants behaviour
Investigator effects
Effect of behaviour (on outcome)
Randomisation
Change to control for bias
Lottery methods
Standardisation
Same formalised procedure
Pilot study
Small scale trial run. Modify design
Control group
Set comparison
Single and double blind studies
Single - participants unaware
Double - participants and researcher unaware
Empirical methods
Methods of gaining knowledge which rely on direct observation or testing
Objectivity
Measurement of data not affected by the expectations of the researcher
Remove researcher bias
Replicability
Recording procedure carefully in order for another researcher to repeat them and verify the original results
Step by step
Consistency in result when replicated
Falsifiability
The possibility that a statement or hypothesis can be proved wrong by testing
Enhances scientific validity
Paradigm
A typical set of concepts or thought patterns
Shift - major change on worldwide concepts
What are independent groups
One group does one condition - participants randomly allocated
Evaluation on independent groups
+ no order effects
+ not guess aim
- participant variables
- less economical
Repeated measures
Take part in all conditions
Counterbalance to remover order effects
Evaluation of repeated measures
+ participant variables
+ fewer participants needed
- order effects
- p’s guess aim
What is matched pairs?
2 groups - related on participant variables
Evaluation of matched pairs
+ participant variables
+ no order effects
- matching nor perfect
- more participants needed
What is a lab experiment
Extraneous and confounding variables regulated - lab setting
Evaluation of lab experiment
+ EV and CV controlled
+ easily replicated
- lack generalisability
- demand characteristics
What is a field experiment
Natural setting - IV manipulated
Evaluation of a field experiment
+ more natural environment
+ participants unaware
- difficult to control CV and EV
- ethical issues (informed consent)
What is a natural experiment
Where the IV is not manipulated by the researcher it’s naturally occurring
Evaluation of a natural experiment
+ only practical option
+ greater external validity
- only occur rarely
- not randomly allocated
What is a Quasi experiment
Pre-existing differences between people
Evaluation of a quasi experiment
+ high control
+ comparisons
- p’s not randomly allocated
- casual relationship not demonstrated
Ethical issues occur when there is a…
Conflict between the rights and aims of
What is informed consent
Permission given to take part in
What is deception
Misleading / withholding information
Protection form harm
No more risk than everyday
Privacy and confidentiality
Right to control information
What should be given after an experiment has taken place
Debrief and right to withdraw
What is the population
Group the researcher is interested in
What is the sample
Smaller groups from the population
Generalisation
Wether the group is representative
Bias
In certain groups - may be over or under represented
What is random sampling
Equal chance - lottery method
Evaluation of random sampling
+ potentially unbiased
- time-consuming
What is systematic sampling
Set pattern (every nth person)
Evaluation of systematic sampling
+ unbiased
- time and effort
What is stratified sampling
Reflects proportions (strata)
Evaluation of stratified sampling
+ representative
- not perfect
What is Opportunity sampling
Most available - nearby
Evaluation of opportunity sampling
+ quick method
- inevitably biased
What is volunteer sampling
Self selecting, advertise