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A-Level Psychology > Research Methods: The Experimental Method > Flashcards

Research Methods: The Experimental Method Flashcards

1
Q

Theory

A

An explanation of phenomena which is supported by evidence

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2
Q

Hypothesis

A

A clear prediction based on a theory

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3
Q

Empirical Method

A

Scientists collect data through actual experience as a form of scientific evidence

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4
Q

Examples of Subjects that use Empirical Methods

A
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • History
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5
Q

Why is history not considered a science if it uses the empirical method?

A

Unlike sciences, evidence collected from history could be bias and result in multiple interpretations rather than a set answer

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6
Q

Objectivity

A

Where research is conducted in a way that all sources of bias and interpretation are eliminated

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7
Q

Subjectivity

A

Research is conducted biasedly due to influence from personal feelings, interpretations or prejudice

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8
Q

Falsifiability

A
  • The idea that theories should be proven wrong rather than proven right
  • This is an idealised version of science rather than a description of how it’s actually done
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9
Q

Verificationism

A

The idea that theories are proven right using empirical testing without focusing on exceptions or outliers within research

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10
Q

Karl Popper

A
  • Challenged verificationism
  • Believed scientific claims are falsifiable
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11
Q

Replicability

A

Research that can be conducted by a completely different set of researchers using the original procedure that produces the exact same results

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12
Q

What key feature does falsifiability link to?

A
  • Replicability
  • If an experiment isn’t replicable then it can’t potentially be proven wrong (falsifiable)
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13
Q

Experiment

A

A research method that shows cause=effect by examining whether one variable changes another

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14
Q

Variables

A

A factor that changes/varies

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15
Q

Aim

A
  • A simple summary of what variables the researcher intends to investigate
  • Sets up the purpose of the investigation
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16
Q

Independent Variable

A

The variable of the experiment that you change

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17
Q

Dependant Variable

A

The variable that is measured as a result of the independent variable

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18
Q

Conditions

A

The different groups exposed to to different variations of the IV

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19
Q

Participants

A

People partaking in the experiment

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20
Q

Operationalisation

A

Clearly defining variables

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21
Q

Null Hypothesis

A

Researcher predicts that nothing will happen

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22
Q

Directional Hypothesis (one-tailed)

A

Researcher predicts how the IV will impact the DV in both conditions (which condition will do better)

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23
Q

Non-Directional Hypothesis (two-tailed)

A

Researcher predicts the IV will impact the DV but doesn’t state how (says one condition will do better but doesn’t specify which)

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24
Q

When should a directional hypothesis be used?

A

If there is previous research to indicate a particular result is likely

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25
Q

When should a non-directional hypothesis be used?

A

If there is no previous research to indicate a particular result

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26
Q

Internal validity

A

Confidence that the cause of a change in the DV is only because of the manipulation of the IV

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27
Q

Extraneous Variables (EV’s)

A
  • Any variable present in the experiment that isn’t being deliberately measured
  • Could potentially impact the DV though they aren’t the IV
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28
Q

Participant EV’s

A

Individual differences of the participants that might impact the DV (e.g. height, intelligence)

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29
Q

Situational EV’s

A

External factors that can unintentionally affect the DV (e.g. room temperature)

30
Q

Demand Characteristics

A
  • Participants guess the aim of the study and change their behaviour
  • Please the researcher (please-me effect)
  • Frustrate the researcher (screw-you effect)
31
Q

Investigator Effects

A

Conscious or unconscious effect of the researcher on the outcome

32
Q

How can the researcher impact an investigation?

A
  • Deliberate cheating
  • Physical Characteristics of the researcher
  • Communication (verbal or non-verbal)
  • Biased analysis of the result
33
Q

Order Effects

A

An EV associated with the order in which participants complete the conditions

34
Q

Confounding Variables

A

Any variable that interferes with the relationship between the IV and the DV

35
Q

When does an EV become a confounding variable?

A
  • If the EV varies systematically with the IV
  • If the EV has a known casual effect on the DV
36
Q

Experimental Design

A

Refers to how participants are allocated to the conditions in an experiment

37
Q

Independent Groups

A

Different participants for each condition with no related variables between the people in each condition

38
Q

Repeated Measures

A

The same participants do both conditions

39
Q

Matched Pairs

A
  • Participants in each condition are different
  • However they are related in respect of one or more variables
40
Q

Random Allocation

A
  • Participants are randomly allocated to conditions using the hat method
  • Used for independent groups
  • Controls for participant EV’s and investigator effects
41
Q

Randomisation

A
  • Researcher randomises all aspects of the study that can be randomised
  • Uses hat method
  • Used for all designs
  • Controls for investigator effects
42
Q

Standardization

A
  • Researcher identifies all situational EV’s and makes them the same for all participants
  • Used for all designs
  • Controls for situational
    EV’s and investigator effects
43
Q

Counterbalancing

A
  • The order in which participants complete conditions is randomly allocated using the hat method
  • Used for repeated measures
  • Controls for order effects
44
Q

Single Blind Trial

A
  • The participants aren’t told the aim of the experiment or what condition they’re in
  • Used for all designs
  • Controls for investigator effects and demand characteristics
45
Q

Double Blind Trial

A
  • Neither the participants nor the experimenters hired by the researchers know the aim or the conditions
  • Used for all designs
  • Controls for investigator effects and demand characteristics
46
Q

External Validity

A

A type of validity concerned with the extent that findings can be generalised outside the context of study

47
Q

Population Validity

A

A type of external validity to describe how well a sample represents a target audience

48
Q

Sample

A

A group of who take part in a research investigation (the participants)

49
Q

Target Population

A

A group of people who are the focus of the researcher’s interest

50
Q

Bias (Sampling)

A

When certain group are over or under-represented within a sample

51
Q

Representative

A

When a sample represents the characteristics of the target population

52
Q

Generalisable

A

When findings and conclusions from a study are applicable to the target population

53
Q

Sampling Technique

A

A method used to create a sample from a population

54
Q

Random Sampling

A
  • Make a list of the target population
  • Give all names a number and put the numbers in a hat
  • Pull out the amount needed participants from the hat
  • The names that match the numbers pulled will be participants in the sample
55
Q

Systematic Sampling

A
  • Make a list of the target population
  • Make a sampling frame by putting the list of the target population in an order (e.g. alphabetical)
  • Use a sampling system (e.g. pick every 5th name on list)
  • Go down the list and pick participants using the system until you have the sample
56
Q

Stratified Sampling

A
  • Make a list of the target population
  • Create relevant strata (category of people the researcher considers important to the study)
  • Work out proportions of strata
  • Use random sampling to select the right amount of people from each strata
57
Q

Opportunity Sampling

A
  • Researcher selects a location where members of the target population are found
  • Researcher asks any available members of target population to participate
58
Q

Volunteer Sampling

A
  • Researcher selects a location where members of the target population are found
  • Researcher places an advert where members of the target population will see it
  • Sample are those who reply to the advert saying they want to participate
59
Q

The British Psychology Society (BPS) Code of Ethics

A

Exists to protect the safety and dignity of participants, safeguard the research and to protect the reputation of the profession of psychology

60
Q

Ethical Guidelines

A
  • A set of principles set out by bodies (e.g. BPS)
  • Helps to ensure psychologists behave with honesty and integrity
61
Q

Ethical Issues

A
  • Occur when there is conflict between the rights of the participants and the aims of the researcher
  • Have complications for the wellbeing of the participant but also the success of the researcher
62
Q

Ways of Dealing with Ethical Issues

A

The practical steps researchers take to ensure their research remains ethical whilst still achieving the aim

63
Q

6 Main Ethical Issues

A
  • Informed Consent
  • Deception
  • Right to Withdraw
  • Confidentiality
  • Privacy
  • Protection from Harm
64
Q

Informed Consent

A

Participants should be made aware of their rights and the aim of the experiment before taking part in the experiment

65
Q

Consent Form

A
  • Combats the ethical guideline of informed consent
  • Give as much information about the aim of the experiment as possible
  • Remind the participants of their rights
  • Write it so it can be read by the participants
  • Ask if they have any questions
  • Get them to sign the form with their signature
66
Q

Ecological Validity

A
  • Refers to how realistic a study is
  • A study’s setting and/or the task performed by participants can impact ecological validity
67
Q

True Experiment

A

The researcher is able to directly manipulate the independent variable

68
Q

Laboratory Experiments

A
  • True Experiments
  • Controlled conditions
69
Q

Field Experiments

A
  • True Experiments
  • Naturalistic conditions
70
Q

Quasi Experiments

A
  • Not true experiments
  • IV is determined by pre existing difference (e.g. age)
  • Conditions irrelevant
71
Q

Natural Experiments

A
  • Not true experiments
  • IV determined by naturally occurring event (e.g. covid)
  • Conditions irrelevant

A-Level Psychology (16 decks)

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