scientific research methods

Question 1

Independent Variable

Answer 1

The variable that is manipulated or varied by the experimenter. When applied in research, this variable is said to cause the results

Question 2

Dependent Variable

Answer 2

The variable which is being observed or measured in the experimental situation to see the effect of the independent variable.

Question 3

Operational Variable

Answer 3

States how the variables will be observed, manipulated and measured.

Question 4

experimental hypothesis

Answer 4

a broad general prediction about whether the IV will effect the DV

Question 5

research hypothesis

Answer 5

explains how the IV will be manipulated and how it’s effect will be measured on the DV

Question 6

True Value

Answer 6

The value (or range of values) that would be found if the quantity could be measured perfectly.

Question 7

Accuracy

Answer 7

The closeness of a measurement to the true value.

Question 8

Precision

Answer 8

How close a set of measurements are to each other (not necessarily to the true value).

Question 9

Repeatability

Answer 9

When a test is carried out under the same conditions (i.e. repeated) and the results match.

Question 10

Reproducibility

Answer 10

When a test produces similar results under changed or different conditions

Question 11

Internal Validity

Answer 11

When the test carried out measures what it intends to measure.

Question 12

External Validity:

Answer 12

When the results of a study can be applied to similar individuals in a different setting

Question 13

Extraneous Variables

Answer 13

ANY variable other than the independent variable (IV) that can cause a change in the dependent variable (DV) and therefore affects the results of the experiment in an unwanted way.

Question 14

Confounding Variables

Answer 14

when an extraneous variable is not controlled for or held constant its effect can become confused with the effects of the independent variable.

Question 15

Placebo Effect

Answer 15

There is a change in the results simply because a treatment has been given.

Question 16

Boredom effect

Answer 16

doing a task a second time and performing worse than the first time due to fatigue or boredom

Question 17

Practice effect

Answer 17

doing a task a second time and performing better than the first time simply because you have done it before

Question 18

Non-Standardised Instructions and Procedures

Answer 18

Treating the groups of the experiment differently from one another, having multiple experimenters interacting with different participants and conducting the experiment in different ways.

Question 19

Individual Participant Differences

Answer 19

People in different groups of the experiment are different from one another on important characteristics, meaning the groups are not equal.

Question 20

Experimenter Effect

Answer 20

The expectations of the experimenter influence the participants’ results.

Question 21

Double-Blind Procedure

Answer 21

Neither the participants nor the researcher know who is in the control or experimental conditions.

Question 22

population

Answer 22

refers to the group that the researcher wishes to find out about

Question 23

Random Sample

Answer 23

Every member of the population has an equal chance of selection

Question 24

Stratified Random Sample:

Answer 24

Dividing the population into categories and selecting at random in proportions equivalent to population.

Question 25

Convenience Sampling:

Answer 25

Picking whoever is available at the time

Question 26

EXPERIMENTAL GROUP.

Answer 26

Participants are exposed to the
experimental treatment.

Question 27

CONTROL GROUP.

Answer 27

No experimental treatment, provides a
baseline for comparison.

Question 28

Random Allocation

Answer 28

A procedure for assigning participants to either the experimental or control group in an experiment, ensuring that all participants have an equal chance of being allocated to either group.

Question 29

Correlation Study

Answer 29

A non-experimental study where the researcher investigates relationships between variables.
Variables are not controlled or manipulated; they are observed and measured as they naturally occur.

Question 30

Case Study

Answer 30

An in-depth, detailed study of all aspects of a single participant, group or event; usually undertaken to gain insight into a particular psychological phenomenon.

Question 31

Fieldwork

Answer 31

Watching and recording the behaviour of people or animals within a specific environment and drawing conclusions based on the recorded observations.

Question 32

Observer effect

Answer 32

changes in the behaviour of an individual being observed, caused by their awareness of the presence of the observer.

Question 33

Observer bias:

Answer 33

skewing of results of an observational study that occurs when an observer sees what they expect to see, or records only selected details of an observed behaviour.

Question 34

Self-Reports

Answer 34

Individuals are asked to express their attitudes or report on their own behaviours (verbally or in writing) by answering questions.

Question 35

Research Merit

Answer 35

there are clear benefits from the research, such as expanding psychological knowledge and understanding.

Question 36

Integrity

Answer 36

refers to the commitment by the researcher to the search for knowledge, using recognised principles for conducting research and in the honest and ethical conduct of research. Includes the honest reporting of results, whether favourable or not.

Question 37

Respect for Persons

Answer 37

when the researcher properly regards the welfare, rights, beliefs, perceptions, customs and cultural heritage of all individuals involved in the research.

Question 38

Beneficence

Answer 38

is the researchers’ responsibility to maximise possible benefits and minimise any risks to participants. The welfare of the participants has a higher priority than the expected benefits to knowledge.

Question 39

Justice

Answer 39

this is where the researcher needs to ensure that there is a fair distribution of benefits and burdens within the population of research interest or for any participant in the research.

Question 40

Confidentiality

Answer 40

The participants must not be identified in any way. Data must be kept anonymous unless participants have given consent to disclose identity. Participants may demand that data be destroyed after debriefing.

Question 41

Voluntary Participation

Answer 41

Participants have the right to refuse to participate in a study voluntarily without pressure.

Question 42

Withdrawal Rights

Answer 42

Participants can withdraw from a study at any time regardless of the effect on the results. This should be explained to the participants prior to the commencement of the study. They may also withdraw their results after the conclusion of the study.

Question 43

Informed Consent Procedures

Answer 43

Participants should be given information about the study and their rights before agreeing to become involved.

Question 44

Deception in Research

Answer 44

Participants should not be deliberately misled without strong medical or scientific justification.
Research can be confounded when participants have too much information about a study. There must be strict controls to make sure that the subject is not distressed. At the end of the study debriefing must occur.

Question 45

Debriefing

Answer 45

Participants are provided with all the information about the study: intent, nature, results and conclusions. Any deception about the intent of the study must be corrected at this stage.

Question 46

Access to Results

Answer 46

Participants have the right to a copy of any document published by the researcher. This must be made clear to participants during informed consent procedure.