Unit 9 - Research Methods Flashcards
What are the 4 types of different types of experiments?
laboratory
field
quasi
natural
What is a laboratory experiment?
takes place in a controlled environment
not necessarily in lab
researchers manipulates IV and records effect on DV
very determinist
What is a field experiment?
takes place in a natural, everyday setting
researcher manipulates IV and records the effect on DV
What is a quasi experiment?
the IV is based on an existing difference between people e.g age
no-one manipulates the IV
What is a natural experiment?
researchers takes advantage of a pre-existing IV
the Iv is not brought about by researcher, it would of happened if the researcher was not there
What is an example of lab study?
Milgram’s
What are the strengths of a lab study?
easy to replicate as standardized procedure
control of extraneous and independent variables
What are the limitations of a lab study?
the fakeness of setting may cause unnatural behaviour , that does not reflect real life - low ecological validity
demand characteristics or researcher may bias the results and become confounding variables
What are the strengths of a field study?
behaviour is most likely to reflect real life because of its natural setting - high ecological validity
less likelihood of demand characteristics to affect results as participants might not know they are being studied.
What are the limitations of a field study?
there is less control over extraneous variables that might bias the results. This makes it harder for another researcher to replicate the study in the same way
What are the strengths of a natural study?
behavior is most likely to reflect real life because of its natural setting - high ecological validity
there is less likelihood of demand characteristics affecting results, as participants might not know they are being studied
can be used in situations in which it would be ethically unacceptable to manipulate the IV e.g researching stress
What are the limitations of a natural study?
they may be more expensive and time consuming compared to lab
there is no control over extraneous variables that might bias the results. Makes it difficult to replicate the same again
Def for ecological validity
the degree to which investigation represents real-life experiences
Def for demand characteristics
the clues in an experiment that lead the participants to think they know what the researcher is looking for
Def for independent variable
variable that the researcher manipulates - changes
Def for dependent variable
variable the researcher measures - stays the same
Def for extraneous variable
all variables, which are not independent variables, but could affect the DV of the experiment
Def for confounding variable
variables that affect the results (DV), apart from IV.
Def for random allocation
randomly allocating participants to IV conditions means that all participants have an equal chance of taking part in each condition
Def of aims
a statement of what the researcher intends to find out in a research study
Def of hypothesis
a precise and testable statement about the assumed relationship between variables
Def of operationalise
making sure that variables are in a form that can be easily tested
Def of standardised procedures
a set of procedures that are the same for all participants in order to be able to repeat the study
Def of directional hypothesis
states the direction of the prediction
Def of non-directional hypothesis
states that there is a difference between the groups but does not state the direction
What are the 3 types of experimental design?
- independent group
- repeated measure
- matched pairs
What is independent group design?
participants are allocated to groups representing different levels of the IV.
What is repeated measure design?
each participants go through each condition of the IV
What is matched pairs design?
participants are paired up in terms of key variable e.g age, IQ. Each member goes through a different condition
What are the limitations of independent group design?
- cannot control the effects of participants variable e.g their abilities
- need more participants than repeated measure to end up with the same amount of data
What are the limitations of repeated measure design?
- order effect - participants may assume the answers because they have guessed the purpose and desired answers of the study
What are the limitations of matched pairs design?
- very time consuming and difficult to match participants to key variables
How do you overcome order effects?
counterbalancing
What is counterbalancing?
an experimental technique which is used to overcome order effects when using a repeated measure design
What are the 2 ways to counterbalance?
- AB or BA - which is where group one does condition A then B, and group 2 does condition B first then A
- ABBA - all participants take part in each condition twice and then compare the scores
How can you overcome lack of control of participant variable?
randomly allocate - as it distributes participant variables evenly as it is random
What is random allocation?
allocating participants to experimental groups using random techniques
What are the 5 sample types?
- stratified
- random
- volunteer
- opportunity
- systematic
What is a stratified sample?
define relevant levels then randomly select
What is a systematic sample?
use and list and choose the ‘nth’ term person
What is a random sample?
use numbering system / computer
What is a volunteer sample?
advertise and accept applicants
What is an opportunity sample?
ask whoever is convenient
What is sampling?
the process of selecting a group to participant in a study
When is correlation used?
when we cant make a hypothesis
What is a correlation?
determines the extent of an association between two variables (co-variables)
What is the def of co-variables?
the two variables in a correlation
What are 5 correlations?
zero correlation positive correlation negative correlation linear correlation curvilinear correlation
What is a zero correlation?
variables are not linked
What is a positive correlation?
both variables increased
What is a negative correlation?
both variables decreased
What is a linear correlation?
creates straight line
What is a curvilinear correlation?
creates a curved line
What type of graph are correlations presented on?
scattergram
What is correlation coefficient?
percentage of confidence. The strength and direction of a correlation
What are 6 types of observation?
overt covert controlled naturalistic participant non-participant
What is a naturalistic observation?
nothing is changed e.g watching children interact
What is a controlled observation?
researcher changes the situation e.g Ainsworth’s strange situation
What is an overt observation?
when the participants know about the study
What is a covert observation?
when the participants dont know about the study
What is a participant observation?
observers is part of the group they’re watching
What is a non-participant observation?
observer watched from a distance
