Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psychology > Using Psychological Concepts > Flashcards

Using Psychological Concepts Flashcards

Deciding on a research question

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Psychology 101 flashcards GRE® Psychology flashcards AP® Psychology flashcards
1
Q

Aim of the research

A

The aim of the study is a general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate. It highlights the purpose of the study.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Hypothesis

A

A hypothesis is a predictive statement about what the researcher expects to find. It supports/rejects ideas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Null Hypothesis

A

This hypothesis predicts that there will be no difference between the two conditions; the IV will have no effect on the DV.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Experimental / Alternative Hypothesis

One tailed directional

A

This hypothesis states that the IV will affect the DV and states exactly what the effect will be. It therefore makes a prediction and states the direction of the prediction.

It is used when a researcher is confident about what they expect to find.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Experimental / Alternative Hypothesis

Two tailed non-directional

A

This hypothesis states the IV will affect the DV BUT does not state how, just that a difference will be found.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Variables

Independent Variable (IV)

A

Change in conditions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Variables

Dependant Variable (DV)

A

What is being measured by
the researcher; the outcome or score.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Variables

Co-Variables

A

The two variables being measured within
correlational research.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Variables

Operationalisation

A

Defining the above key variables
in an objective, measurable way.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Variables

Confounding Variables

A

Unwanted variables in research that may affect the outcomes (DV). They are inconsistent and affect only some of the participants.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Variables

Extraneous Variables

A

Unwanted variables in research
that may affect the outcomes (DV). They are consistent, affect all participants equally and are often linked to a design flaw.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Laboratory experiment

A

Conducted under controlled, artificial
conditions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Features of laboratory experiment

A
  • Researcher manipulates the independent variable (IV) whilst measuring the dependent variable (DV).
  • Conducted under both experimental and a control conditions. Researcher randomly allocates participants to experimental or control conditions.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Strengths of lab experiment

A
  • High level of control; can infer that the IV caused the DV.
  • Easy to replicate so that reliability can be checked.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Weaknesses of lab experiment

A
  • Problems of demand characteristics (participants act aganist or for what the experiement is)
  • Low ecological validity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Field experiment

A

Conducted in a natural environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Features of a field experiement

A
  • IV is still manipulated by the researcher and the DV is still measured.
  • Participants are unaware that they are being researched.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Strengths of a field experiment

A

High in ecological validity.
Fewer demand characteristics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Weaknesses of a field experiment

A

Unethical: participants are unaware of the research.
Extraneous variables affect results.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Natural experiments

A

A natural experiment is when a research does not deliberately
manipulate an IV, they take advantage of a ‘naturally occurring’ IV.
The DV of a natural experiment may be tested in a laboratory, in the
field or online.

21
Q

Strengths of natural experiments

A

Allows research where the IV can’t be
manipulated for practical or ethical
reasons; a range of behaviours can be
investigated.
Allows researchers to investigate ‘real’
problems, such as the effects of a disaster on health, which can help more people in more situations.

22
Q

Experimental deisgn

Repeated meaures design

A

An experimental design where participants take part in both the control and experimental conditions.

23
Q

Experimental design

Independent measures design

A

An experimental design where participants take part in only one experimental condition.

24
Q

Experiemental design

Matched pairs design

A

A form of independent groups design where the experimental and control participants are deliberately similar e.g. there is a balance between gender and IQ levels in each group/condition.

25
Q

Participants

Target populations

A

The group of individuals that a researcher is interested in studying e.g. people in the UK.

26
Q

Participants

Sampling frames

A

A group/population that is identified when it is unrealistic to study the whole target population e.g. people in London.

27
Q

Participants

Random sampling

A

A sampling technique where participants are selected from the sampling frame, where everyone has an equal chance of being selected.

28
Q

Participants

Opportunity sampling

A

A sampling technique where participants are selected at the researcher’s convenience without knowing any details about the sample in advance

29
Q

Participants

Systematic sampling

A

A sampling technique where every nth person on a list is selected by the researcher.

30
Q

Participants

Stratified sampling

A

A sampling technique where the target group is divided into subgroups, e.g. by sex, and then the participants are selected randomly from each subgroup.

31
Q

Participants

Quota sampling

A

A sampling technique where the target population is divided into subgroups, e.g. by sex, and the participants are chosen from each subgroup at the convenience of the researcher.

32
Q

Participants

Self-selected/Volunteer sampling

A

A sampling technique where participants volunteer (select themselves) for research e.g. they come forward/respond to the psychologist after reading an advertisement in a newspaper or on a notice board.

33
Q

Participants

Snowball sampling

A

A sampling technique where participants are initially recruited by the psychologist and then those participants recruit further participants from people they know, therefore the sample group appears to ‘snowball’.

34
Q

Partcipants

Observational sampling techniques

A

Where participants are observed by the psychologist, who records a specific behaviour (event) each time it occurs to create a total score.

35
Q

Level of measurement

Nominal data

A

The level of measurement that shows categories of data represented by frequencies. The data sets have no relative numerical value e.g. boys and girls.

36
Q

Level of measurement

Ordinal

A

The level of measurement where
data can be placed into ascending or
descending order, but the intervals
between data are not necessarily equal, e.g. the times for first, second and third in a race.

37
Q

Level of measurement

Interval data

A

The level of measurement that has equal numerical intervals between scores, e.g. temperature. The interval between 1 and 2 degrees is the same as between 21 and 22 degrees.

38
Q

Level of measurement

Ratio data

A

The level of measurement that has equal intervals between scores and has an absolute or true zero point, e.g. speed (mph).

39
Q

Participant observation

A

The researcher takes part in the research, joining in with those
being observed. The researcher becomes part of the group and does not reveal who they are.

40
Q

Participant observation: Strength

A

Less chance of demand characteristics.
Enables research of people who would otherwise be very difficult to observe.

41
Q

Participant observation: Weaknesses

A

Observer bias may occur.
Unreliable findings because it is difficult to take notes during the observation; data relies on memory.

42
Q

Non-participant observation

A

The observer doesn’t take part in the action, but instead watches and makes notes from a distance. The participants are not aware that they are being observed.

43
Q

Non-participant observation: Strengths

A

Less chance of observer bias.
Researchers can see how participants
behave rather than relying on self-reports; may produce more valid and reliable findings.

44
Q

Non-participant observation: Weaknesses

A

Observer bias: it is difficult to make
judgments on thoughts and feelings of participants when they are being watched.
Unethical because participants do not
always know they are being observed.

45
Q

Questionnaire

A

A set of written questions where answers are analysed by the researcher. Questionnaires can produce quantitative or qualitative data or a mixture of both.

46
Q

Questionnaire: Strengths

A

Can be used to assess psychological
variables that may not be obvious by just observing someone. Data can be collected from a large group of
participants more quickly than interviewing them.

47
Q

Questionnaire: Weaknesses

A

There is no guarantee that the participant is telling the truth. Different participants may interpret the same question in different ways.

48
Q
A

Psychology (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions