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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
When should a non-directional hypothesis be used?
If there is no previous research to indicate a particular result
26
Internal validity
Confidence that the cause of a change in the DV is only because of the manipulation of the IV
27
Extraneous Variables (EV's)
- Any variable present in the experiment that isn't being deliberately measured - Could potentially impact the DV though they aren't the IV
28
Participant EV's
Individual differences of the participants that might impact the DV (e.g. height, intelligence)
29
Situational EV's
External factors that can unintentionally affect the DV (e.g. room temperature)
30
Demand Characteristics
- Participants guess the aim of the study and change their behaviour - Please the researcher (please-me effect) - Frustrate the researcher (screw-you effect)
31
Investigator Effects
Conscious or unconscious effect of the researcher on the outcome
32
How can the researcher impact an investigation?
- Deliberate cheating - Physical Characteristics of the researcher - Communication (verbal or non-verbal) - Biased analysis of the result
33
Order Effects
An EV associated with the order in which participants complete the conditions
34
Confounding Variables
Any variable that interferes with the relationship between the IV and the DV
35
When does an EV become a confounding variable?
- If the EV varies systematically with the IV - If the EV has a known casual effect on the DV
36
Experimental Design
Refers to how participants are allocated to the conditions in an experiment
37
Independent Groups
Different participants for each condition with no related variables between the people in each condition
38
Repeated Measures
The same participants do both conditions
39
Matched Pairs
- Participants in each condition are different - However they are related in respect of one or more variables
40
Random Allocation
- Participants are randomly allocated to conditions using the hat method - Used for independent groups - Controls for participant EV's and investigator effects
41
Randomisation
- Researcher randomises all aspects of the study that can be randomised - Uses hat method - Used for all designs - Controls for investigator effects
42
Standardization
- 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
Counterbalancing
- The order in which participants complete conditions is randomly allocated using the hat method - Used for repeated measures - Controls for order effects
44
Single Blind Trial
- 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
Double Blind Trial
- 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
External Validity
A type of validity concerned with the extent that findings can be generalised outside the context of study
47
Population Validity
A type of external validity to describe how well a sample represents a target audience
48
Sample
A group of who take part in a research investigation (the participants)
49
Target Population
A group of people who are the focus of the researcher's interest
50
Bias (Sampling)
When certain group are over or under-represented within a sample
51
Representative
When a sample represents the characteristics of the target population
52
Generalisable
When findings and conclusions from a study are applicable to the target population
53
Sampling Technique
A method used to create a sample from a population
54
Random Sampling
- 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
Systematic Sampling
- 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
Stratified Sampling
- 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
Opportunity Sampling
- Researcher selects a location where members of the target population are found - Researcher asks any available members of target population to participate
58
Volunteer Sampling
- 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
The British Psychology Society (BPS) Code of Ethics
Exists to protect the safety and dignity of participants, safeguard the research and to protect the reputation of the profession of psychology
60
Ethical Guidelines
- A set of principles set out by bodies (e.g. BPS) - Helps to ensure psychologists behave with honesty and integrity
61
Ethical Issues
- 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
Ways of Dealing with Ethical Issues
The practical steps researchers take to ensure their research remains ethical whilst still achieving the aim
63
6 Main Ethical Issues
- Informed Consent - Deception - Right to Withdraw - Confidentiality - Privacy - Protection from Harm
64
Informed Consent
Participants should be made aware of their rights and the aim of the experiment before taking part in the experiment
65
Consent Form
- 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
Ecological Validity
- Refers to how realistic a study is - A study's setting and/or the task performed by participants can impact ecological validity
67
True Experiment
The researcher is able to directly manipulate the independent variable
68
Laboratory Experiments
- True Experiments - Controlled conditions
69
Field Experiments
- True Experiments - Naturalistic conditions
70
Quasi Experiments
- Not true experiments - IV is determined by pre existing difference (e.g. age) - Conditions irrelevant
71
Natural Experiments
- Not true experiments - IV determined by naturally occurring event (e.g. covid) - Conditions irrelevant

A-Level Psychology (16 decks)

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