Research Methods Vocab 4: Quantitative and Correlational Research Flashcards
Objectivity
The goal of quantitative research. All variables are tightly controlled, bias is minimized, and the results are factual or statistical.
Deductive Approach
The approach is used in quantitative research is when researchers begin with a theory and hypothesis and then collect evidence to see if it supports the hypothesis.
Independent Variable
The variable that is manipulated (changed) by the researchers. Essentially, the CAUSE
Dependent Variable
The variable that is affected by the manipulation of the researchers (the IV). The EFFECT.
Operationalised Hypothesis
A hypothesis that is written in a way that is clearly measurable.
Ex: ‘Music will have an effect on memory’ is NOT operationalised because it is not clear what you will measure for the results. ‘Participants will remember more words when listening to music than when they do not listen to music’ IS operationalised. It is clear what you will measure: the number of words recalled.
Experimental Hypothesis
Predicts the results of the experiment.
Ex: The presence of music will decrease the number of words participants remember.
Null hypothesis
Predicts there will be no results of the experiment or the results will be due to chance. Researchers are trying to refute their null hypothesis.
Ex: The presence of music will have no effect on the number of words participants remember.
Cause-effect Relationship
This is the aim of experiments and quantitative research. You are looking to see if 1 variable causes an effect on another variable.
Ex: Will music cause you to remember more words?
Independent Samples Design
A design where two different groups of participants are used and randomly allocated. Then their results are compared to each other. All participants are exposed to once condition only.
Ex: In an experiment on whether music impairs memory, 1 group of 10 would not listen to music and tries to remember and a different group of 10 does listen to music and tries to remember. Then results of the 2 groups are compared.
Participant Variability
When the characteristics of the participants affect the results. This is a typical limitation of an Independent Samples Designs.
Ex: Because I am using different participants, I must allow for differences in individual memory ability in each group. My results may be affected by participant variability.
Matched Pair Designs
Participants are in two conditions but are not randomly allocated. Instead the researchers aims for two groups of participants that are as equivalent as possible. This is a way to minimise the impact of participant variability.
If you are testing memory, test all participants first. Allocate the groups intentionally making sure both conditions get one participant with strong memory, one participant with weaker memory, and etc.
Repeated Measures Designs
A design where participants are compared to themselves before and after the independent variable is introduced. All participants are exposed to both conditions.
Ex: In an experiment on whether music impairs memory, a group of 10 does not listen to music and tries to remember. Then they re-do the experiment while listening to music.
Order Effects
When the order of the tasks in the study can influence the results. This is a typical limitation of a repeated measures design.
Ex: In the music memory experiment above, I have avoided participant variability by using the same group of people. But, maybe they do better the second time because they are familiar with the experiment and are more prepared. In that case, it is not really the music that causes the result but the order of the conditions.
Control condition
The condition where the independent variable is NOT introduced.
Ex: The no-music condition is the control condition.
Note: Many experiments have more than two conditions.
Laboratory Experiments/ True Experiments
Research is conducted in a controlled environment with strict control over extraneous variables and the researcher deliberately manipulates the IV.
Note: Lab experiments don’t need to be in a lab (true
experiments). It is more about the controls of the experiment than the setting.
Ex: Conducting a research study in the lab using rats. The conditions for all rats are equal- they get the same food, same cage. The only difference between the two conditions is the independent variable-the kind of drug injected into the rat.
