Wk. 4 - Inferential Research Flashcards
code
A scheme for converting responses into numerical values. Researchers might write something such as ‘Sex was coded 1 = male, 2 = female’. All this means is that, when describing the results, numbers are used rather than words. This is a useful thing to do or the purpose of analysing data.
questionnaire
A set of questions to be answered by a research participant. These questions could be printed and given to the participant, completed by participants online, or asked by the researcher in an interview.
representative random sample
A random sample of the population that has the same characteristics as the population.
split-ballot technique
A survey research procedure whereby experimental manipulations are included. The most obvious involves randomly sampling selected participants receiving different questionnaires. In effect, split-ballot techniques are not surveys but experiments.
convenience sampling
A sampling procedure where a sample is chosen from the people who are available to participate in research. Often just about any person who can understand the instructions and complete the task is acceptable. This is the technique used in many psychological experiments (in particular, those involving undergraduate students).
non-probability samping
A sampling technique where there is not a specifiable probability of a member of the population being sampled.
non-response
The failure to obtain responses in circumstances where a person is selected from the population but does not actually participate in the survey.
probability sampling
A sampling technique where there is a specifiable probability of each member of the population being sampled.
purposive sampling
Selecting those members of a population who have a definable characteristic. For example, a study of depression might sample only those members of a population who are clinically depressed.
sample size
The number of participants in a study. This is represented by the symbol N.
sampling frame
The listing of all the members of the population of interest.
simple random sample
A random sample in which every member of the population has the same probability of being included.
survey instrument
A means of collecting data from the sample. This could be a questionnaire form, a web page or an interview.
systematic sampling
Sampling where participants are selected according to a specific plan or method (either probability or non-probability sampling).
archival records
Written or other records that are stored and are available for study. Sometimes these are stored in institutions called archives, but any record that is not in current use is also called an archive).
cohort
A group of participants who take part in a particular piece of research at the same time.
computer-aided interviewing
A research procedure where the researcher is prompted by a computer to ask questions over the telephone in a particular order, The order of questions is set by the chief researchers. Many surveys are now administered by computer using dedicated web pages.
critical psychologists
Psychologists who are critical of the conventional methods and approaches of mainstream psychology. For this reason, they tend to use alternative methods.
cross-sectional studies
Studies that sample a cross-section of the population at a particular time. In developmental psychology the sample normally comprises a number of different age groups (cohorts).
developmental surveys
Surveys conducted into the effects of ageing and maturation. Such surveys may be conducted by developmental psychologists or others interested in changes in psychological processes and behaviour over time.
interview
A series of questions asked by a researcher and answered by a research participant.
longitudinal studies
Studies where the same sample of participants is measured on more than one occasion.
naturalistic observational studies
Non-experimental studies in which the researcher observes behaviour and makes no attempt to interfere with the participants.
non-obtrusive observational studies
Observational studies in which data are obtained without the participants being aware that they are participating in research.