Resrach methods Flashcards
What are teh four reserach methods?
Experiment
Observation
Self report
Correlation
Define experiemtn
Research method used by psychologists which involves teh manipulation of varibale in order to discover a casue adn effect
Varibales
Things that can vary or change
Defien laboratory experiemtn
The reserache hads full control o ver teh experimetn and uses stadaridsed prodcudres in a contrlled evnvionment. The IV is manipulated
Strength sof labortaory experiement
HIgh evels of control therfore less chance of extranoeus vairbaes affaectign eth reuslts, whcih increases reliability
Participants know they are part of a study therefore consent can be gained right to withdraw given and debriefed at the end.
Weaknesses of labroatory experiemtn
High level of control may create an artificial situation and prevent natural behaviour from being exhibited; this may also include demand characteristics (where participants guess the aim of the experiment and change their behaviour) which in turn lower the validity.
It is sometimes necessary to deceive and cause participants a small amount of harm to improve the validity and reliability of the study.
Define field experimetn?
Experiemtn takes place in a partipatnts natural enviorenmt. Howverr teh indepndetn vairbale is still manipulated
Strengths of field experiemtn
Has high ecological validity as it is conducted in a natural setting, so can be more easily generalised to other settings.
Participants may not be aware of their behaviour is being studied so they are unlikely to show demand characteristics.
Weaknesses of field experiment
It is not possible to precisely control extraneous variables that might affect the DV. This will also make them more difficult to replicate. Therofre reducign reliability
Ethical issues may arise as it is often impossible to have the informed consent of those taking part.
Define quasi experiment
When teh Indepdnet vairbale is naturally occuring. Therfore resaearcher onyl measure teh efefct fo eth naturally occurign IV on the DV. IT can take place ina natural or controlled enviroentm
strengths fo a quasi experiemtn
Allows research where the IV cannot be manipulated for ethical or practical reasons.
They are often carried out in a natural environment and are therefore high in ecological validity.
Weaknesses of quasi experiment
Difficult to establish a casual relationship du eot teh indepdnet vairbale not beign manipulated
The researcher has to wait for the conditions to occur naturally so they may not be available at the time of the research.
Defien operatinoalisign variables
This is where you make the variables measurable
Knowing how you are going to manipulate IV
Knowing how you will measure DV
Defien hypothesis
A statemtn of what results you expect to fin dafter teh experiment
One tailed hypothesis
Predictions taht state teh direction ht ereuslts will go in
Two tailed hypthesis
Predcitctions that do nto state teh direction teh reuslts will go in
Null hypothesis
A statement of no difference between vairbales
DEfien nominal
Data put into categories
e.g no of partipatns who finished race
Define ordinal
Data put into order
e.g race final
Define interval
Data where you have regular units
e.g no of hours
Defien extransoues vairables
Varibles tht could affect teh DV tat shoudl be controlld e.g tepurtaure
Cofoudnign vairbales
Varibales taht has not been confrolled that has affected the dv
Ecological validity
The extent to which it reflects real life
Demand characteritics
Features or ues in experiemnt that give away teh aim of teh experiemtn
Partcipants may changes tehir behaviour
Defien indepnedent measures deign:
Different grousp used in each condition. Then compares teh results between teh two conditions
Strengths of imd
Order effects such as boredom and fatigue do not affect the second condition as participants only take part in one condition.
Demand characteristics are less of a problem as participants only take part in one condition so is less likely to be any cue that enable participants to guess the aim of the study.
Weaknesses of IMD
Individual differences between participants could confound the results.
More participants are required because each is only used once in the design so less economical.
Experimental bias – treat conditions differently – double blind
Reeated measures design
Using teh same partipants in both conditons. Then compare results
Strengths of RMD
Less problems of individual differences as participants taking part in both conditions
Fewer participants required so more economical
WEaknesses of RMD
Order effects such as learning, fatigue or boredom may effect the results – counterbalancing can be a solution
Demand characteristics may become a problem as the subject takes part in both conditions and may guess the aim of the study and act accordingly
Matched pair
Uses different participants in each condition but participants are matched for any important characteristics that might effect performance
Give an exmaple of matched pairs deisgn
e.g. giving one group of participants a driving test without alcohol and a different group of participants doing the same test after a pint of lager.
Strengths of MP
Individual differences (subject variables) are kept more constant between conditions
Order effects do not occur since participants only take part in one condition
Weaknesses of MP
Very difficult/ impossible to match participants perfectly in every respect
Matching participants is very difficult and time consuming
