Research Methods- Year 1 Flashcards
Why study research methods ?
We need to gather evidence to help develop and support psychological theories
Aim
general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate the purpose of the study.
Hypothesis
A clear, precise and testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated, stated at the outset of any study
Variables
Factors that change in an investigation. They are usually used in experiments to determine if changes in one thing result in changes to another
Independent variable
Researcher manipulates or it changes naturally so the effect on the DV can be measured
Dependent variable
Is measured by the researcher to see how it changed. Any effect on the DV should be caused by the IV
Levels of the independent variable
In most experiments the IV has two conditions, the control group and the experimental group
Operationalism
Turning abstract concepts from your aim into clearly defined variables that can be measured
Directional hypothesis (one tailed)
States the kind of difference or relationship between the IV and DV.
Non- directional hypothesis (Two tailed)
Simply predicts that there will be a difference between conditions.
How do researchers decide what type of hypothesis to use
- One tailed if previous research suggests an outcome.
- Two tailed if no previous research or it’s inconclusive
Extraneous variable
Any variable other than the IV that may have an effect on the DV (if it is not controlled). They do not vary systematically with the IV
Confounding variable
A kind of extraneous variable that systematically change with the IV.
Any variable other than the IV that may have affected the DV so we cannot be sure of the reason for the DV changing.
Participant variable
any individual differences between participants that may affect DV
Situational variables
any features of the experimental situation that may affect DV
Examples of participant variables
Personality, age, gender, motivation
Examples of situational variables
weather, instructions, temperature, time of day, noise
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 leads to a participant changing their behaviour within the research situation
Investigator effects
Any effect of the researcher’s behaviour that could change the outcome of the results.
How can we control extraneous and confounding variables ?
- standardisation- All participants should be subject to the same experimental conditions
- Randomisation- Using chance in order to control for the effects of bias in an experiment
Participants
People who take part in research
Population
the group of people from which the sample is drawn
Bias
when certain groups are under-or overrepresented in a sample (not representative)
Random sampling
Every member of the target population has an equal chance of being chosen.