unit 1 - research methods Flashcards
Qualitative data-
refer to the description of characteristics of what is being studied eg. emotions
Quantitive data-
refers to measurements, numerical information about the variables. It is more accurate and precise
Objective data-
are measured according to an identifiable external criterion. Every one would get the same results eg. Get the class to measure the desk
Subjective data-
is date based on opinions and there is no external yardstick by which they are measured eg how do you feel about maths
Independent variable-
the variable that is deliberately changed
Dependant variable-
is the thing that is measured ( it is dependant on the IV)
Operationalised-
involves defining exactly what the variable is and shown how it is measured eg students who have 8 carrots a day will have better eyesight (be able to see more letters on the eye chart)
Extraneous variable-
are variables besides the IV that could change the DV
Confounding variable-
variables other the the IV that has an unwanted systematic effect on the DV
The steps of the Scientific method-
Identify the area of research and form the aim
form a hypothesis
Design a research method to test the hypothesis
Collect the data
analyse the data
Interpret the data and draw conclusions
Report the findings
How to write a hypothesis-
a hypothesis is a testable prediction about the results of the study. It must include the population, IV, DV and the prediction
Population-
it is the larger group of research interests from with the sample has been drawn
Sample-
a group of participants selected from the population
Sampling-
is the process in which we select our participants
Convenience sampling-
advantages
disadvantages
when we select participants based on easy accessibility or availability eg use everyone in the library
+ quick and easy to obtain a sample
- very unlikely to get a representative sample
Random sample-
advantages
disadvantages
is when everyone in the population has an equal chance at being selected eg draw out of a hat
+ if the sample is large enough then it provides an unbiased sample of the population
- difficult and time- consuming with large population
Stratified sample-
advantages
disadvantages
involves dividing the population into groups based on specific categories and then selecting a sample from each strata in the same proportion that they occur in the population
+ likely to get a representative sample ( so generalised can be made)
- very time consuming and costly
Random allocation-
a procedure that ensures that all participants have an equal chance of being selected for the experimental and control group
Experimental group-
group that is exposed to the IV
Control group-
group that is not being exposed to the IV
What are the 3 research designs?
repeated measures
Matched participants
Independent group experimental designs
Repeated measures-
advantages
disadvantages
is when the same group of participants are exposed to both the experimental and control group
+ individual differences highly controlled
+ Fewer participants are required
- oder effect can occur
- Participants are more likely to drop out because they have to do both experiments
Matched participants-
advantages
disadvantages
is placing equivalent pairs of participants into the control and experimental group
+ minimises participant differences
+ Eliminates order effect
- pre-testing is time consuming and expensive
- If one person drops out then so does there pair
Independent group experimental-
advantages
disadvantages
is when the participants are only exposed to the experimental or control group
+ time efficient and easy to use
+ Less chance of drop outs
- participants differences not controlled for
- More participants needed than repeated measures
Cross sectional study-
advantages
disadvantages
participants of different ages are investigated at one particular point in time
+ data is collected only one so it is less expensive and more time efficient
+ Short term commitment so less drop outs
- cant establish cause and effect relationship
- Factors other then age may play a part in results eg family eniomentme
Placebo effect-
refers to the participants behaviour being influenced by their expectations of how they should behave caused by the beliefs that they have received some sort of treatment.to minimise this use a single blind procedure
Experimental effect-
refers to changes in the experimenters behaviour that are caused by the unintentional influence of an experimenter, rather then the effect of the DV. To reduce this use the double blind procedure