SEMESTER 2 EXAM- RESEARCH METHOD FLASHCARDS
Non-experimental studies:
The label given to a study when a researcher cannot control, manipulate or alter the predictor variable or subjects, but instead relies on interpretation, observation or interactions to come to a conclusion.
Tend to have higher levels of validity.
Population
The group from which the sample is selected
Sample
A subgroup of research participants selected from a larger group of interest to the researcher
Scientific VS Non-Scientific
•Scientific research is a process for investigating and acquiring or expanding our understanding.
It can be reproduced and consistent.
•Non Scientific: acquiring knowledge or truths without scientific method.
i.e.Tradition, Personal experience or intuition.
Ethical conditions when conducting an experiment:
- Do not harm
- Minimise discomfort
- Maintain confidentiality
- Inform participants of the risks
- Ensure participation is voluntary
- Treat participants with dignity and respect
- Do not invade privacy
Informed consent
Informing participants of the study’s true purpose, results and conclusion once it has finished, correcting any misconceptions and providing information on how to alleviate any unnecessary distress caused by participation.
Voluntary Participation
All participants must participate in the research willingly and not be forced in any way.
Withdrawal rights
Participants should be made aware that they have the right to withdraw from the research at any point, for any reason.
Confidentiality
A participants right to privacy in term of access, storage and disposal of any information related to the research that could identify them.
Deception
Not fully informing participants about the true purpose of the experiment until after it has finished because this information might influence their behaviour and affect the results in an unwanted way.
7 steps scientific method
1: Identify the research topic of interest
2: Formulate the hypothesis
3: Select the research method and design the study
4: Collect the data
5: Analyse the data
6: Draw conclusions
7: Report the findings
Scientific Method
The step by step approach to planning, conducting and reporting research.
Surveys
A general view, examination or description of someone or something.
Archival research
A type of primary research which involves seeking out and extracting evidence from original archival records.
Case study
A case study is a research method that involves the collection of detailed information, usually of a highly personal nature, about an individual, family or small group.
Correlation
A relationship between two variables.
positive/negative, strong/weak or no relationship.
Qualitative methods of data collection:
- Individual interviews
- Focus groups
- Observations
- Action research
Quantitative methods of data collection
- fixed responses
* rating scales
Validity
A judgement about the meaningfulness of a study’s results (whether in support or not of the hypothesis)
Reliability
Information gained from direct observation and measurement
Independent variable
Is the variable, in the experiment that is selected, then systematically changed in some way in order to measure its effects on the dependent variable?
Dependent variable
Is the variable, in the experiment selected, being used to observe and measure the effects of the independent variable?
Control group
The group not exposed to the independent variable (control condition)
Experimental group
The group that is exposed to the independent variable (experimental condition)
Operational hypothesis
A hypothesis that states how a variable is observed, manipulated and measured. Also outlines the population that the sample has been selected.
Extraneous variable
The variable(s), other than the Independent Variable, that can cause a change to the Dependent Variable and therefore affect the results of the experiment in an unwanted way.
Range
The area of variation between upper and lower limits on a particular scale
Median
A measure of the central tendency found by arranging scores from the highest to the lowest, and selecting the score that falls in the middle
Mean
A measure of the central tendency calculated by adding all the scores for a given group, then dividing the total by the number of scores in the group.
Mode
A measure of central tendency consisting of the most frequently occurring score in a group of scores
Probability
The likelihood that something will occur.
If it is low then the validity would be questioned.
Conclusion (Evidence based)
Refers to the consistent measuring of responses
Experimental studies:
A study in which a treatment, process or program is intentional and a result or outcome is observed.
A test under controlled conditions that is made to demonstrate a known truth, to examine the validity of a hypothesis or to determine the efficiency of something previously untried.
