Unit 1 - Research Methods Flashcards
Dependent variable
The variable that is measured by an experimenter
Extraneous variables
Variables other than the DV that should be controlled, could have an effect on the performance on the day.
(Only control them if you already know what they are)
Confounding variables
An extraneous variable that has not been controlled which could invalidate results.
Operationalisation
Putting variables into measurable forms
Lab experiment
The independent variable is manipulated by the experimenter in attempt to produce a change in the dependent variable. All other extraneous variables are controlled.
- There is high validity as all extraneous variables are controlled so it’s easy to infer cause and effect,
- however low ecological validity as conditions are very artificial.
Field experiment
The independent variable is manipulated by the experimenter. Takes place in the participants natural environment.
- Higher ecological validity (than lab experiment)
- lower control of extraneous variables- less likely for low internal validity.
Natural experiment
The independent variable is naturally occurring and takes place in a natural environment.
- High ecological validity as more relative to the real world and realistic behaviours but
- low internal validity as low control of extraneous variables makes it hard to determine cause and effect.
Ecological validity
A specific type of external validity. Refers to whether results can be generalised outside of the study to different environments and situations.
Demand characteristics
When participants pick up on cues to the aim of the study and subsequently subconsciously alter their behaviour to fit the aim.
Reliability
The consistency of results
Social desirability bias
Participants desirability that they want to be seen in the best light so may answer the question how they think it should be answered. (not necessarily true to them)
Target population
The total group of individuals from which the sample might be drawn.
Sample population
A small selection of a group of people from a larger population.
Random sampling
When every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected. e.g. picking names out of a hat.
- Unbiased and representative
- however time consuming and impractical.
Opportunity sampling
Selecting participants due to the fact they’re available and in the right place at the right time.
- This sampling method is quick, economical and convenient
- however often unrepresentative and bias.
Volunteer sampling
Individuals (volunteers) who have determined their involvement in the study.
- This sampling method is convenient and ethical,
- however unrepresentative as volunteers are often different from the rest of the population. i.e. more helpful, intelligent, and outgoing.
Biased sample
If the sample isn’t representative of the rest of the population.
Independent group design
When different participants are used in 2 conditions
AD: can compare the 2 groups, no order effects
DIS: need more people, individual differences
Repeated measures design
When the same participants are used in both conditions.
AD: require fewer participants
DIS: order effects
Matched pairs design
When different but similar participants are used in the two conditions. Participants are matched on individual characteristics e.g. intelligence.
AD: reduces participant variables
DIS: harder to find the participants
Order effects
How the order of tasks (particularly in a repeated measures design) may influence the outcome due to practice or boredom.
Correlation
The measure of a relationship between two co-variables.
Co-variables
Variables in a correlation (all naturally occurring)
Naturalistic observation
Observation of behaviour in its natural setting
Disclosed observation
When participation are aware/ informed they’re being observed.
Undisclosed observation
When participants aren’t aware/informed they’re being observed.
What is a pilot study?
A pilot study could be used to check whether the words were appropriate, for example make sure all the participants knew the words. /
It could also be used to check that the participants were given enough time to learn the words/ but not so much that they were bored and got distracted.
It could also be used to make sure the instructions were clear and easy to understand. /
If needed could be made before carrying out the main study to avoid wasting time and money.
Explain how the researcher could have used content analysis to analyse what the
mothers had written in their diaries.
The researcher should create behavioural categories / for example crying, having a tantrum. /
Then read the mothers’ diary and tally the number of times these behaviour have occurred. / Then compare the number of times before the children started day care and after they started day care.
Outline one strength and one weakness of using correlations in stress research
Strength: it allows us to study the relationship between two variables which occur naturally and that we could not create experimentally for example we could not create stressful conditions experimentally to see if it leads to illness.
Weakness: we cannot establish a cause and effect relationship between the two covariables as other factors could be involved such as diet and exercise which could also affect health.
BPS ethical guidelines
A set of guidelines set out by the BPS which an psychological study must follow. (Protection from harm, informed consent, avoid deception, debriefing, right to withdraw, confidentiality, privacy, and what use is made of the research).
Informed consent
Before the participants take part in a study they are asked for consent. They have to be given as much information as possible.
- not everyone is capable of giving consent (I.e babies)
- it is not always possible to gain informed consent because the p’s might change their behaviour if they know the aim of the research.
Deception
This is when P’s are wrongly informed about the aims of the research.
- sometimes needed to avoid demand characteristics
Debrief
Participants must be fully informed after the study of what it was about. This is particularly important if participants have been deceived or there is a lack of informed consent.
Give the opportunity to ask any questions.
Right to withdraw
Participants have the right to stop at any time during an experiment and leave.
Confidentiality
The right for participants to be kept anonymous.
Protection from harm
Researchers must protect and not inflict any form of mental of physical harm. e.g. physical pain, embarrassment, offence etc.
Privacy
The ability that participants should have to be able to seclude themselves or their personal information from others.
Population validity..
..
What is a correlation study?
Used to assess the strength of the relationship between variables
What are the advantages/ disadvantages of correlation studies?
AD: can be used when an experiment would be unethical or unpractical
DIS: a cause and effect relationship between the 2 factors studied cannot be established because other factors might be involved
Behaviour list
An operationalised list of specific behaviours that can be ticked each time they occur. (used to help inter-observer reliability to make clear behaviours so observers record the same things).
Inter-observer reliability
The extent to which 2 researchers agree
Time sampling
When you record what behaviours occur in time intervals (e.g. Every 5 mins)
Event sampling
When you record behaviours each time that behaviour occurs in a given time period. e.g. each time a child bites something within an hour you record it.
Observer effect
Refers to how the presence of the observer effects the behaviour of participant because they are being watched.
Advantages and disadvantages of naturalistic observations
AD: high ecological validity, more valid than questionnaires as people often say one thing and do another
DIS: no control over extraneous variables, difficult to replicate
Advantages and disadvantages of controlled observation.
AD: easier to replicate, more ethical as participants are likely to be aware of what’s happening
DIS: participants may change their behaviour, requires preparation and training to achieve inter-observer reliability
Advantages and disadvantages of content analysis
AD: high ecological validity, cheap as no new material has to be created
DIS: time consuming, little or no control of extraneous variables
Internal validity
High internal validity if it measures what it is supposed to measure so if there is high control of extraneous variables.
External validity
If results can be generalised outside of the study to different populations, time periods, and situations/ environments.
Standardised instructions
Instructions to participants should be in a written format that can be read out to all participants. This ensures everyone receives the same instructions which is important when using different groups of participants in each condition as it eliminates the potential reason that behaviour may differ due to differences in instructions.
Independent variable
The variable that is manipulated by the experimenter.
