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Psychology C2 - Research Methods > Taboo List > Flashcards

Taboo List Flashcards

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1
Q

Aim

A

A statement of what the researchers wants to find out by their study

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2
Q

Hypothesis

A

An exact and testable statement about what the researcher believes will happen in the study

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3
Q

Alternative hypothesis

A

Any hypothesis expect a null

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4
Q

Directional/one-tailed hypothesis

A

Predicts a change in one direction

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5
Q

Non directional/2-tailed hypothesis

A

Predicts that there will be the variables with have an effect (in no particular direction) on the outcome of a study

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6
Q

Null hypothesis

A

The assumption that there will be no effect or relationship between variables of a study

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7
Q

Independent variable

A

A variable that is directly manipulated by a researcher in order to test its effect on the DV

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8
Q

Dependant variable

A

The variable thats measured by a researcher

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9
Q

Co-variables

A

Variables that are in correlation; they must be related and continuous

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10
Q

Correlation coefficient

A

A number between -1 and +1 that tells us how closely the co-variables in a correlational analysis are asociated

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11
Q

Extraneous variable

A

They do not act as another IV but they may have an effect on the Dv , they can effect the outcome of a study

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12
Q

Experiment

A

A research method where causal conclusions can be drawn because an independent variable has been deliberately manipulated to observe the effect on the DV

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13
Q

Lab experiement

A

An experiment conducted in a controlled environment where the IV is manipulated

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14
Q

Field experiment

A

A controlled experiement that is conducted outside a lab, the IV is still mainpulated so a relationship can be demonstrated

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15
Q

Natural/quasi experiment

A

A type of experiment in which the researcher cannot mainpualte variables , but records the natural effect on the DV

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16
Q

Observation

A

A method used by reserchers to asses the DV, can be structured or unstructured

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17
Q

Participant observation

A

A type of observation made by a participant who is taking part in the activity which is being observed

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18
Q

Non participant observation

A

The observer is seperate from the participant that is being observed

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19
Q

Content analysis

A

A kind of observational study that in which behaviour is identified in written or verbal material

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20
Q

Questionnaire’s

A

Data collected through the use of written questions

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21
Q

Interviews

A

A technique that involves face to face ‘real time’ interaction with another individual and ends with the data gathered being collected

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22
Q

Correlational study

A

A study that investigates the relationship between 2 or more variables without the researcher manipulating them

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23
Q

Case study

A

An investigation that involves a detailed study of a single individual , institution or event , its a rich record of experience

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24
Q

Pilot study

A

A small-scale ‘trial’ run of a study to test any aspect of a studies design , with an aim to make improvments

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25
Q

Brain scans

A

They are used to investigate the functioning of the brain by taking images of the living brain

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26
Q

P.E.T Scans

A

A method of brain scan that involves ingesting radioactive glucose and seeing which area of the brain is active

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27
Q

C.A.T Scans

A

A radiographic technique for quickly producing detailed 3D image of the brain or other tissues

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28
Q

M.R.I Scans

A

A technique that creates 30 detailed images of the brain via the use of magnetic fields and radio signals

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29
Q

Longitudinal Studies

A

A study which is conducted over a long period of time. Often used alongside repeated measures design

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30
Q

Cross-sectional study

A

One group of participants are representative of one section of society and compared with ppts of another group , in order to compare ppts across populations

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31
Q

Self-report techniques

A

A way of gathering information where a ppt records their own behaviour

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32
Q

Online research

A

Refers to research is that is collected via the internet

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33
Q

Target population

A

The group of individuals a researcher is interested in and from whom they draw their sample from

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34
Q

Sample population

A

The sample of the target population that will participate in the research

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35
Q

Random sampling

A

A technique that involves every person in the sample population having an equal chance of selection

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36
Q

Systematic sampling

A

A sampling technique that involves selecting every Nth person

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37
Q

Opportunity sampling

A

A sample produced by selecting individuals who were simply available at the time

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38
Q

Stratified sampling

A

A sample produced by identifying subgroups (according to their frequency) in the target population , ppts are then randomly selected from these subgroups

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39
Q

Quota sampling

A

Ppts from subgroups are picked specifically due to being representative of the target population , this is not random

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40
Q

Self selected sampling

A

A sample of ppts that relies solely on volunteers to make it up

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41
Q

Snowball sampling

A

When ppts are encouraged to select other people they know to join the sample , it rellies on referrals from original ppts

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42
Q

Independent groups

A

Ppts are placed in separate groups , each group has one level of the IV

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43
Q

Repeated measures

A

All ppts receive all the levels of the IV as they participate in every condition

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44
Q

Matched pairs

A

Pairs of ppts are matched based off key variables such as age or IQ , each member of the pair is subjected to a different condition of the IV

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45
Q

Levels of measurement

A

the distinctions between different types of data . Nominal , Interval , Ratio and Ordinal
NOIR

46
Q

Nominal data

A

data that is categorical
e.g. cat , dog , mouse

47
Q

Ordinal data

A

data that is ordered
e.g. A,B,C grades

48
Q

Interval data

A

measured using equal intervals without a 0

e.g. IQ (you cant score 0)

49
Q

Ratio data

A

data that has a natural 0 point

e.g. amount of Money

50
Q

Bar Chart

A

A graphical representation used to represent the frequency of data . The categories on the X axis have no fixed order and there is no true o

51
Q

Pie chart

A

A cirucular graphical representation which is made out of ‘slices’ , with each slice representing a proportion of the total

52
Q

Line graph

A

A graphical representation that is used to display contious data on the X-axis , there is a dot to mark the top of each ‘bar’ , a line also connects these dots

53
Q

Scatter graph

A

A graphical representation which uses dots to represent values for two different numerical variables

54
Q

Histogram

A

A graphical representation that in which the number of scores in each category of continuous data, represented by vertical columns

55
Q

measure of central tendency

A

A descriptive statistic that provides a typical value

56
Q

measures of dispersion

A

They provide information on how spread out a set of data is

57
Q

Mean

A

sum of all the data divided by number of values

58
Q

Median

A

the middle value of a set of data after being formed into rank order

59
Q

Mode

A

the most frequently occurring item in a set of data

60
Q

Standard deviation

A

it shows the amount of variation in a data set , it is used to asses the spread of data around a mean

61
Q

Range

A

The difference between the highest and lowest value in a data set

62
Q

What are the three measures of central tendency?

A

mean , mode and median

63
Q

What are the two measures of dispersion?

A

Standard deviation and range

64
Q

What is a type one error?

A

its a false positive , it occurs if an investigator rejects a null hypothesis when it is true it happens if a researcher is too lenient with the probability value

65
Q

What is a type two error

A

its a false negative , it occurs if an investigator accepts a null hypothesis when it is false . it happens if a researcher is too stringent with the probability value

66
Q

Spearman Rho

A

used to test a study of correlation , the observed value must be great than the critical value for results to be significant

67
Q

Wilcoxon T test

A

used in a study with repeated measures , with ordinal , interval or ratio data and in a test of difference , in which the critical value needs to be greater than the observed value for results to be significant

68
Q

Sign T test

A

used in a study with repeated measures , with nominal data and in a test of difference in which the critical value needs to be greater than the observed value for results to be significant

69
Q

Mann Whitney U test

A

used in a study which is uses independent groups , with ordinal , interval or ratio data and in a test of difference which the critical value needs to be greater than the observed value for results to be significant

70
Q

degrees of freedom formula

A

(rows - 1) x (columns - 1)

71
Q

Chi Squared

A

used in a study which is a uses Independent groups , with nominal data and in a test of difference , the observed value must be great than the critical value for results to be significant

Df is needed to read table

72
Q

Relability

A

The overall consistency of results

73
Q

Validity

A

The overall realisn of a study and its results

74
Q

Inter-rater reliability

A

The extent to which there is an agreement between two or more researchers involved in the observation of behaviour

75
Q

Spilt half method

A

A method of assessing internal reliability, by comparing to half of a test to see if the scores coincide with eachother

76
Q

Test-retest

A

Used to check internal relability , done by testing a participant and then testing them again after they would have forgotten the details

77
Q

Face validity

A

A form of external validity , it is the extent to which test items seem like they test what they claim to measure

78
Q

Content validity

A

Aims to demonstrate that the content of a test represents the area of interest

79
Q

Demand characteristics

A

A variable that makes ppts unconsciously aware of the study or any clue that may allow a ptt to guess the aim

80
Q

Single blind technique

A

It is when ppts arent make aware of the studys aim until after , where it is revealed in the debrief

81
Q

Double blind technique

A

When neither the ppt nor the researcher knows the true aim of the study

82
Q

Ethical committes

A

A group of people within a research institution that must aprove a study before it begins , in order to protect ppts

83
Q

How do we deal with ethical committies?

A

We can make sure our study follows all ethical guidelines ; for example , having a valid brief and debrief

84
Q

Ethical guidelines

A

A set of principles designed to help professionals behave with integrity and honesty

85
Q

How do we work with ethical guidelines?

A

We comply with the guidelines

86
Q

Confidentiality

A

Concerns the communication of personal information from one person to another , in hope that their data will be protected

87
Q

How can we help ppts stay confidential?

A

We can give fake names and publish 0 personal data of ppts in our study

88
Q

Privacy

A

A person right to control their own data

89
Q

How can we keep ppts aware of their right to mantain privacy?

A

Remind of their right to withdraw during the brief and debrief and that if they do withdraw , their data is destroyed

90
Q

Deception

A

The ppt not being told the true aim of a study

91
Q

How do we deal with deception?

A

We inform ppts of the true aim during the debrief

92
Q

Risk of psychological harm

A

Participant may encounter a number of negative feelsinga during the study

93
Q

How do we reduce the risk of psychological harm for ppts?

A

We would follow ethical guidelines and remind ppts of their right to withdraw at any time during the brief and debrief

94
Q

Risk of participant values or beliefs

A

When a ppts beliefs or values are challenged

95
Q

How do we reduce the risk of ppts beliefs or views being challenged?

A

We would follow ethical guidelines and remind ppts of their right to withdraw at any time during the brief and debrief

96
Q

Valid consent

A

Participants are given comprehensive information on the aim of the study , what it may include and still agree to take part

97
Q

How can valid consent be achieved?

A

Our brief or debrief must include aim and procudure and other variables that are deemed appropiate to inform ppts of

98
Q

Informed consent

A

Ppt makes a decision for their data to be used after the true aim is revealed to them

99
Q

How we gain informed consent?

A

Our debrief must reveal the true aim of our experiment

100
Q

Briefing and debriefing

A

Information given to ppts before and after a study , in order to reveal aims , procudure , and other factors such as right to withdraw

101
Q

What are the 7 stages of a Psychological report?

A

Abstract , introduction , method , results , discussion , references and apendix

102
Q

(Report sections) what is the Abstract?

A

The 1st section

It its a summary of the study , including aims , hypothesis , method , results and conclusions

103
Q

(Report sections) what is the Introduction?

A

2nd section

It is a review of previous studies and how it leads logically to the personal hypothesis

104
Q

(Report sections) what is the Method?

A

3rd section

It is a detailed description of what the researcher(s) did , with enough info for reduplication

105
Q

(Report sections) what are the Results?

A

4th section

Includes all the results the study gathered

106
Q

(Report sections) what is the Dicussion?

A

5th section

Where the researcher interprets the findings of the study

107
Q

(Report sections) what are the references?

A

6th section

Where all the references the study used get put

108
Q

(Report section) what is the appendix?

A

7th section

Where all the items the study used are put (e.g. brief , debrief , data tables)

109
Q

Peer review

A

When a study needs to be checked by specific individuals (experts) to check the validity of data gathered and the truth behind it

110
Q

Why are peer reviews used?

A

It’s used to prevent data that is flawed from being told to the public as it may be potentially harmful to individuals

111
Q

How is a peer review done?

A

Usaly serveral experts review the research , they will sugggest any edits or identify issue that they can see

This has 4 outcomes: the work is accepted , the work if accepted if changes are made , the work is rejected but edits are suggested , the work is rejected out right

112
Q

How would you calculate a standard deviation?

A

1) Calculate the mean

2) Take the mean away from each score in the data set

3) Square each difference

4) Add together each of the squared differences

5) divide the sum by Number of score of data -1

6) square root the sum = Standard deviation

Psychology C2 - Research Methods (11 decks)

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