Research Methods : Pilot Studies, Correlations, Experiments Etc Flashcards
What is a pilot study?
A trial to test aspects of the study to make sure it works, isn’t confusing for participants, and check to see if it needs improved.
Single blind procedure definition
A research design in which a participant is not sware kf the research aims and what condition of the experiment they are in so they don’t act on demand characteristics. Researcher will know conditions.
Double blind procedure
Neither participant nor researcher knows research aims or who is in what conditions of the experiment. Thus they have no expectations that might alter participants behaviour
Independent variable meaning
The variable that is changed by the experiment
Confounding variable meaning
Any variable other than the IV that may have affected the DV
Dependant variable meaning
The variable that is being measured
What is a correlation
A relationship between 2 variables but it doesn’t mean that one thing causes another.
Extraneous variable meaning
Any variable other than IV that may have an effect on the DV if it is not controlled for
Intervening variable meaning
A variable that comes between 2 variables and can be used to explain the relationship between 2 variables
Positive correlation
When one variable increases, the other increases.
Negative correlation
As one increases, one decreases.
Strength of correlations
- May suggest ideas for possible research
- they aren’t time consuming (uses pre existing data)
- don’t cost a lot to carry out
- there’s no need for a controlled environment
- no manipulation of variables in required
- helps find relationships between variables that otherwise would be unethical to do an experiment on
Weaknesses of correlations
- tell us how but not why variables are related
- cannot demonstrate cause and effect so you are unable to see which co-variable is causing the other to change
- there may be a 3rd untested variable taht causes relationship between variables
- correlations may be misinterpreted or misused
Differences between experiments and correlations
Experiments :
- establish causality
- finds data and researches it/designs a study to find out more
- involves manipulation of variables
Correlations :
- only show associations between variables
- uses pre-existing data
- does not involve manipulation of variables
Aims definition
It’s a general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate
Hypothesis definition
A clear testable statement that states the relationship between variables to be investigated.
Directional hypothesis definition
A hypothesis that states what the difference between variables will be.
Non directional hypothesis
A hypothesis that refers to a difference, but does not specify what the difference is. Doesn’t say more/less, better/worse, faster/slower, etc.
What does it mean to operationalise a hypothesis?
Variables investigated should be clearly defined and measureable.
Example : specify both IV conditions, and the DV
Independent groups meaning
Testing separate groups of people. Each group is tested in a different condition.
Independent groups strengths
- order effects are not a problem
- participants are less likely to guess the aims of the experiment
Independent groups weaknesses
- participants in the separate groups are different individuals, so differences in results may be a result of individual differences
- each participant contributes a single result - less economical - more people needed
Repeated measures meaning
Testing the same group of people on different conditions - the same people used repeatedly
Repeated measures strengths
- participant variables/individual differences are controlled
- fewer participants needed = less time consuming
Repeated measures weaknesses
- participants need to do 2 tasks, order of these tasks may be significant (order effects)
- multiple tasks may = boredom /improve performance through practice
- more likely the participant will figure out the aim of the experiment (demand characteristics)
Matched pairs meaning
Testing separete groups of people - each member of one group is the same age, sex, or social background as a member of the other group
Matched pairs strengths
- order of effect and demand characteristics are less of a problem
Matched pairs weaknesses
- time consuming
- expensive
-pairs can never be fully matched
Counterbalancing meaning
An attempt to control order effects in a repeated measures design . DOES NOT remove order effects, only balances it.
E.g half participants take part in condition A then B, the other half does B then A (ABBA)
When do you use either a directional or non-directional hypothesis?
Directional : when findings of previous research studies suggest a certain outcome
Non-directional : when there is no previous research, or findings for earlier experiments, contradict each other
Experimental conditions
The main IV being tested and its effect.
Controll conditions
Compared to other IV that is being tested for how it effects a person
