Research Methods Y1 Flashcards
Experimental Method
Involves the manipulation of an IV to measure the effect on the DV
Experiments may be field, lab, quasi or natural
Aim
A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate, the purpose of the study
Hypothesis
A clear, precise, testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated
Stated at the outset of any study
Directional Hypothesis
States the direction of the difference or relationship
Non-Directional Hypothesis
Does not state the direction of the difference or relationship
Variables
Any ‘thing’ that can change or vary within an investigation
Variables are generally used in experiments to determine if changes in one thing result in changes to another
Independent Variable (IV)
Some aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher - or changes naturally - so the effect on the DV can be measured
Dependent Variable (DV)
The variable that is measured by the researcher
Any effect on the DV should be caused by the change in the IV
Operationalisation
Clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured
Extraneous Variable (EV)
Any variable, other than the IV, that may have affect the DV if it is not controlled
Do not vary systematically with the IV
Confounding Variable (CV)
A kind of EV but the key feature is that a CV varies systematically with the IV
Therefore we cant tell if changes in the DV is due to the IV or CV
Demand Characteristics
Any cue from the researcher or from the research situation that may be interpreted by participants as revealing the purpose of an investigation
This may lead to participants changing their behaviour within the research situation
Investigator Effects
Any effect of the investigator’s behaviour (concious or unconcious) on the research outcome (DV)
This may include everything from the design of the study to the selection of, and interaction with, participants during the research process
Randomisation
The use of chance methods the control for the effects of investigator bias when designing materials and deciding the order of experimental conditions
Standardisation
Using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study
Experimental Design
The different ways in which participants can be organised in relation to the experimental conditions
Independent Groups Design
Participants are allocated to different groups where each group represents one experimental condition
Repeated Measures
All participants take part in all conditions of the experiment
Matched Pairs Design
Pairs of participants are first matched on some variables that may affect the DV
Then one member of the pair is assigned to condition A and the other is assigned to condition B
Random Allocation
An attempt to control for participant variables in an independent groups design which ensures that each participant has the same chance of being in one condition as any other
Counterbalancing
An attempt to control for the effects of order in a repeated measures design: half the participants experience the conditions in one order, and the other half in the opposite order
Experimental Method
Involves the manipulation of the IV to measure the effect on the DV Experiments may be lab, field, natural or quasi
Aim
A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate, the purpose of the study
Hypothesis
A clear, precise, testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated
Stated at the outset of any study
Directional Hypothesis
States the direction of the difference or relationship
Non-Directional Hypothesis
Doesn’t state the direction of the difference or relationship
Variables
Any ‘thing’ that can vary or change within an investigation
Variables are generally used in experiments to determine if changes in one thing result in changes to another
Independent Variable (IV)
Some aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher - or changes naturally - so the effect on the DV can be measured
Dependent Variable (DV)
The variable that is measured by the researcher
Any effect on the DV should be caused by the change in the IV
