Scientific processes Flashcards
Define aim
An aim is a precise statement of why a study is taking place
What should an aim include
What is being studied
What the study is trying to achieve
Where do aims come from?
Personal interests of the researcher
Other researchers theories / studies
Seek a solution to a practical problem
Define hypothesis
A statement of prediction that is directly testable
Define directional / one-tailed hypothesis
Predicts the direction in which change is expected to occur
Words eg faster/slower, bigger/smaller, more/less
Define non-directional / two-tailed hypothesis
Simply predicts the change and does not specify the direction
Words eg change, effect, difference
Define null hypothesis
Predicts there will be no change and that any change is due to chance
What must be identified in the hypothesis
Independent variables
Dependent variable
^operationalised
Define independent variable
The thing that changes
Define dependent variable
The thing that is measured
Define operationalised
Stated in a measurable form
Define extraneous variable
EVs do not vary systematically with the IV
Any variable other than the IV which may HAVE AN EFFECT on the DV
Therefore may affect validity of research findings
Can extraneous variables be controlled?
Yes
Define confounding variable
CVs vary systematically with the IV
Any variables other than the IV which may HAVE EFFECTED the DV
So we cannot know the true cause of the changes to the DV
Can confounding variables be controlled?
No
Name the two types of extraneous variables
Participant variables
Situational variables
Define participant variables
Individual differences between RPs that can affect the results
Give examples of participant variables
Age Gender Intelligence Social class Fitness
How can the researcher reduce the effects of participant variables
Careful selection of RPs as researcher can do little to control them
Controlled across different experimental conditions
Define demand characteristics
Cues which convey to the RP the aim of the experiment
Give examples of demand characteristics
Instructions given to RP What RP has heard from others The way RP was approached initially Setting of experiment Whether the experimenter is formal or relaxed
What might demand characteristics lead to?
Participant reactivity
Define participant reactivity
The way RPs change their behaviour due to cues given as demand characteristics
Give examples of participant reactivity
Please you effect - try to help researcher
Screw you effect - try to ruin results
How can demand characteristics / participant reactivity be controlled?
Single blind trial - RP does not know which condition they are in, this prevents them seeking clues about the aim
Define situational variables
Outside influences on the experiment
How can situational variables be controlled?
Standardisation
Randomisation
Counterbalancing
Define standardisation
Ensuring all RPs are tested under the same conditions
Identical.. instructions, procedures followed, scoring techniques, environment
Define randomisation
Order of tasks / presentation of data etc is decided on the toss of a coin / another random method of selection to control for order effects
Define order effects
Order effects occur when an RP undertakes a task more than once
Give examples of order effects
Practise
Fatigue
Boredom
Define counterbalancing
Used to control order effects when using the repeated measures design.
Changes order of tasks for each RP / ABBA technique
Define investigator effect
If the researcher changes in any way while in different conditions it could affect the results
Give examples of investigator effects
Change in... Mood Appearance Instructions they give Leading questions
How to control investigator effects / order effects
Double blind trial - neither RP or researcher knows which condition they are in -> can’t communicate cues about aims
Name the types of experimental design
Independent measures design
Repeated measures design
Matched pairs design
Define independent measures design
Uses different participants in each condition.
Each RP only takes part in one condition