Terms Flashcards
Aim
a broad statement on the purpose of the research, what the researcher intends to investigate
what is an alternative hypothesis?
a testable statement that research intends to accept or reject, can be directional or non-directional
what is a directional hypothesis?
A hypothesis that suggests there will be a difference/relationship between variables, where the IV will affect the DV in one specific direction/outcome
what is a non-directional hypothesis?
A hypothesis that suggests there will be a difference/relationship between variables, the IV will affect the DV, but does not state a specific direction/outcome for results
what is a null hypothesis?
A hypothesis that suggests there will be no difference/relationship between variables, any that does occur does so by chance e.g. alcohol will have no effect on reaction time
what is an independent variable?
The variable the psychologist manipulates and controls to see how it affects behaviour
what is a dependent variable?
The variable which is measured (usually the participants’ behaviour) by the psychologist.
what are co-variables?
the two variables being measured in a correlational research
what does operationalisation of variables mean?
ensuring variables are in a form that can be easily tested
what are confounding variables?
Variables in a study that are not being measured or manipulated by the researcher, that affect SOME participants’ behaviours but not others, having negative consequences for validity
what are extraneous variables?
Variables in a study that are not being measured or manipulated by the researcher but affect the results (DV) of ALL participants’ behaviour equally
Outline the main features of an experiment
- measures cause and effect relationships
- pps are randomly allocated to conditions
- researcher retains control over research variables
- equal treatment of pps, except in relation to the IV
what is a quasi experiment?
a research method where the researcher has no directly manipulated the IV
Strengths and weaknesses of Quasi experiment:
STRENGTHS:
- more practical and ethical in most cases
- can take place in a lab, which has high control
WEAKNESSES:
- difficult to recruit pps
- less control over other variables
what are participant observations?
A research method where the researcher takes on the role of a participant whilst observing other participants’ behaviour around them
strengths and weaknesses of participant observations:
+ less chance of demand characteristics
+ enables research of people who would otherwise be difficult to observe
- observer bias
- data may rely on memory as difficult to take notes during observation
what are non-participant observations?
A research method where the researcher watches and records participants’ behaviour without interfering in any way (from a distance
strengths and weaknesses of non-participant observations:
+ less chance of observer bias
+ researcher can see how ppts behave rather than relying on self reports
- observer bias
- unethical
what is a content analysis?
A research method which involves exploration of behaviour to see what categories, codes or themes emerge, and tallying each time material fits a theme. It converts qualitative data into quantitative data so that it can be more easily compared
Strengths and weaknesses of content analysis:
+ involves secondary data so very few ethical issues
+ high ecological validity as they are based on real communications
+ can easily be replicated
- open to research bias
- written content can be misinterpreted
what is a structured interview?
A research method that includes standardised questions (like in a questionnaire), which are known as an interview schedule, and are usually asked face to face
Evaluation of structured interviews:
+ requires less interviewing skill, can be done by non-professional interviewers
+ easily to analyse as answers are pre-determined
+ can be easily repeated
+ quantitative data can be collected
- questions may be interpreted differently by the pps
- ppts may be restricted in their answers
what are semi-structured interviews?
combines a pre-determined set of open questions with the opportunity for the interviewer to explore particular themes or responses further
Evaluation of semi-structured interviews:
+ in-depth qualitative data can be collected
+ information can be accessed that might not be revealed by pre-determined questions
- interviewer bias
- reliability may be affected
- more difficult to analyse the data
what is a questionnaire?
A research method that includes a list of written questions, which generate closed and/or open answers. These can be used in person, on-line or through other methods e.g. postal
Evaluation of questionnaires:
+ easy to repeat
+ can access a wide range of ppl
+ more willing to reveal personal info
+ cheap
- filled by people willing to fill the questions meaning sample likely to be biased
what is a correlational study?
A research method which involves a comparing two continuous variables (co-variables) to see if there is an association/relationship between them
evaluation of correlation studies:
+ shows both direction and strength of a relationship which can help make predictions about behaviour
+ can be used when experiments inappropriate
- difficult to establish cause and effect
- does not show how or why co-variables are related
