Research methods (unit 2) -unfinished Flashcards
What is a hypothesis?
A precise and testable statement about the assumed relationship between variables.
What is operationalisation?
Ensuring variables are in a form that is easily tested.
What is a confounding variable?
A variable other than the independent variable which varies systematically and changes the dependent variable.
What is an extraneous variable?
A variable other than the independent variable which does not vary systematically but may have effect on dependent variable.
What is validity?
Whether an observed effect is genuine.
What is external validity?
The degree to which a research finding can be generalised to other settings or groups of people.
What is internal validity?
The degree to which an observed effect was due to experimental manipulation, rather than confounding/extraneous variables.
Why is external validity affected by internal validity?
Because you cannot generalise the results of a study that is low in internal validity (has confounding/extraneous variables)
What is an aim?
Statement of what researcher intends to find out.
What is an experiment?
Research method where casual conclusions can be drawn.
IV has been directly manipulated to observe casual effect on DV
What are standardised procedures?
Procedures are the same for all participants in order to be able to repeat the study.
What is valid consent?
Participants must be given comprehensive information concerning nature and purpose of research and their role. (Informed decision)
Describe external validity?
Degree to how generalised a research finding is:
In other settings (ecological validity)
To other groups (population validity)
And over time (historical validity)
Describe internal validity.
Degree that an observed effect was due to experimental manipulation rather than factors. (C/E)
What is mundane realism?
Refers to how a study mirrors the real world. (Research environment must be realistic to a degree which experiences in study will happen outside of it)
Why is external validity affected by internal validity?
Cannot generalise the results as the results will have no real meaning for behaviour is question.
What are the 3 types of experimental design?
- Repeated measures
- Independent groups
- Matched pairs
What is the experimental design of repeated measures? (2)
- Each participant does the task on both sides of the IV a certain amount of time apart. (e.g memory test 2 weeks apart)
- DV is compared for each participant.
Describe the independent groups design.
•Participants placed in separate groups.
Group A does task with one level of IV
Group B does same task with other level of IV
•DV compared of 2 groups.
What is matched pairs design?
- Use 2 groups but match participants on characteristics believed to affect DV. (must be relevant to study)
- 1 member of each pair allocated to group A and other to group B.
What is an order effect? Name two.
The order of conditions that may affect performance.
Practice effect- may do better after practising.
Boredom effect- May do worse on second time if is repetitive.
What are the disadvantages of repeated measures design?
- Order effects (practice & boredom)
2. Participants may guess purpose of experiment, changing behaviour.
What are the methods of dealing with disadvantages in the repeated measures design? (3)
- Can use two different tasks but must be equivalent.
- Counterbalancing.
- Deception (cover story)
What are the disadvantages of the independent groups design?
- Researcher cannot control participant variables or confounding variables.
- Needs more participants in order to end up with same amount of data as repeated measures.
What are participant variables?
The different abilities or characteristics of each participants.
What are the methods of dealing with disadvantages in the independent groups design? (1)
Randomly allocating participants to distribute variables evenly.
What are the disadvantages of matched pairs design?
- Time consuming and difficult to match.
2. Not possible to control all participant variables.
What methods of dealing with disadvantages are used in matched pairs?
- Restrict the number of variables to match on to make it easier.
- Conduct pilot study to consider key variables.
What is counterbalancing?
An experimental technique used to overcome order effects when using repeated measures.
It ensures that each condition is tested first or second in equal amounts.
What is a directional and non-directional hypothesis?
Directional- states direction of results (better/worse)
Non-directional- there is difference but does not say which direction
What word is used to describe the alternative hypothesis?
Experimental hypothesis.
better/worse
Difference between null and alternative hypothesis?
H0- statement of no effect. (no difference)
H1- Better/worse effect
What is a pilot study?
Small-scale trial run of a study to test aspects of design to look for improvements.
Describe conducting research in a lab. (advantages)
- Most scientific.
- Measure research variables easier.
- Easier to control confounding/extraneous variables.
- Utilise more equipment
Describe the disadvantages of a lab setting.
- Participants demonstrate artificial behaviour
- Lacks ecological validity
- Not all studies can be conducted here due to nature of research
Describe in the field as a location of research. (advantages)
- Research in participants environment so more natural
- Minimise artificial nature
- Higher ecological validity
Name the disadvantages when conducting research in a field.
- More difficult to measure research variables & confounding/extraneous.
- Difficult to repeat due to difference in settings.
- Difficult to utilise full complement of equipment.
What are the advantages of online research?
- Access participants who they may not be able to access with other methods.
- Large groups accessed with less effort than field.
- More diverse participants.
- Cost efficient.
- Data analysis is quicker.
Disadvantages of online research?
- Consent (T&C’s)
- Cannot appropriately debrief
- Limited methods
What are the disadvantages of online research?
- Cannot debrief appropriately
- Consent (T&C’s)
- Limited methods to conduct
Disadvantages of online research?
- Consent (T&C’s)
- Cannot appropriately debrief
- Limited methods
Disadvantages of online research?
- Consent (T&C’s)
- Cannot appropriately debrief
- Limited methods
