1.2 Planning And Conducting Research Flashcards
(30 cards)
Define research aim
An aim identifies the purpose of the investigation.
It is what the experimenter is trying to find out from the investigation.
Define research question
The question in which the researcher is asking and trying to find out from the experiment.
The researcher creates an aim depending on the research question.
Define null hypotheses
A hypothesis which states there will be no relationship between the two variables being studied.
Define alternative hypotheses
States that there is a relationship between the two variables being studied.
Define one-tailed hypotheses
(Directional)
States that the independent variable will have an effect on the dependent variable.
E.g. “The IV will reduce the DV”
Define two-tailed hypotheses
(Non-directional)
States that the independent variable will have an effect on the dependent variable however it doesn’t state which effect will be made.
E.g. “The IV will change the DV in some way”
Define target population
This is the group of people that the researcher aims for the research to generalise to.
Define target sample
This is a group of people drawn from the target population to take part in the actual study.
Define random sampling
This is when the target population is selected randomly (e.g. Out of a hat) to take part in the study.
Advantages and disadvantages of random sampling
Advantages -
It should represent the target population.
Disadvantages -
Takes a long time to do.
Define snow-ball sampling
This is used when a researcher needs a specific type of sample that could be hard to find. The researcher will ask someone from the sample to to find similar people to them who are likely to have similar characteristics.
Advantages and disadvantages of snow-ball sampling
Advantages -
It allows the researcher to have access to populations that may be harder to reach.
Cheap and easy.
Disadvantages -
The researcher has little control over the sample.
Define opportunity sampling
This is when participants are able to take part in the study as they are available to.
Based on convenience.
Advantages and disadvantages of opportunity sampling
Advantages -
Quick and easy to find participants.
Disadvantages -
It may not represent the target population.
Define self-selected sample
This is when participants are in recruited due to volunteering to take part.
Advantages and disadvantages of self-selected sample
Advantages -
Quick and easy.
Disadvantages-
May not represent the target population.
Which sample is the most representative?
Random sampling.
Describe independent groups design
There are independent groups which produce independent results which are then compared.
Advantages and disadvantages of independent groups design
Advantages -
It can avoid order effects because both groups only do the experiment once.
Disadvantages -
Participant variables may affect the results as different groups of people experience the experiment conditions.
Describe repeated measures design
The same group of participants take part in and experience both conditions.
Advantages and disadvantages of repeated measures design
Advantages -
Less people are needed for the study to take place.
Participant variables are significantly reduced.
Disadvantages -
Order effects may affect the results as the participants would have already experienced one condition.
Describe counterbalancing
Counterbalancing is when the two groups are split into two and they both experience both conditions.
Advantages and disadvantages of counterbalancing
Advantages -
Although order effects occur, they occur in both groups so they balance each other out.
Describe matched participant design
The researcher would spend a lot of time collecting two groups of participants who are as similar as possible. This could include characteristics such as age, gender, intelligence etc.
One member of one pair will be assigned to one group and the other will be assigned to the opposite group.
