Research Methods SH Flashcards
What is the Target Population?
The large group of people the researcher wishes to study.
What is a Sample?
The small group of people who represent the target population and who are studied.
What is Generalisation?
The results from the sample can be said to apply to the target population.
What is a Representative?
The sample of participants is made up of people who have the same characteristics and abilities as the target population.
Describe Opportunity Sampling.
People who are members of the target population and are available and willing to take part.
What is a Hypothesis?
A testable statement about the relationship between two variables.
What is bias?
What is Random Sampling.
Every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample.
What is random number?
Describe Systematic Sampling.
Every ‘nth’ member of the target population is selected for the sample.
Describe Stratified Sampling.
The different subgroups in the target population are identified; then people are randomly selected from these subgroups in proportion to their numbers in the target population.
What is a variable?
A factor or thing that can change – it varies.
Which two variables are tested in an experiment?
In an experiment these variables are called the independent variable (IV) and the dependent variable (DV).
What is the Independent Variable (IV)?
The variable which the researcher alters or manipulates to look for an effect on another variable. This variable produces the two conditions of the study.
What is the Dependent Variable (DV)?
The variable that the researcher measures to see if the IV has affected it.
What is an experiment?
The method of research in which all of the variables other than the independent variable (IV) and the dependent variable (DV) are controlled. This allows the researchers to identify a cause–and–effect relationship between the IV and the DV.
What is a Condition?
An experiment is usually organised so there are two trials, after which the performances of the participants are compared. These are the conditions of the experiment.
What is a Participant?
A person who is selected to take part in a study.
What is Order Effect?
This occurs when a participants performance in the second condition of an experiment is affected because they have already done the first condition. They may do better because of practice or they may do worse due to tiredness.
What are Participant Variables?
The differences between the people who take part in the study. These may affect the results of an experiment.
What are the 3 Experimental Designs?
- Independent Groups
- Repeated Measures
- Matched pairs
Explain Independent groups.
Participants divided into 2 groups, Group 1 takes part in Condition 1, Group 2 takes part on Condition 2.
Advantages of Independent Groups.
–No Order Effects
–Same material can be used
–Participants cannot work out the aim of the study.
Disadvantages of Independent Groups.
–Different people in each condition so may vary results due to participant variables.