Deciding on a research question Flashcards
Definitions
Definition:
Aim
A broad statement of the purpose of the research
Definition:
Alternative Hypothesis
A testable statement that a piece of research attempts to support or reject.
Definition:
Directional Hypothesis
A testable statement that states the direction of a difference/relationship between variables. e.g. alcohol slows reaction time
Definition:
Non-Directional Hypothesis
A testable statement that suggests there will be a difference/relationship between variables, but does not state a specific direction/outcome for results e.g. alcohol affects reaction time
Definition:
Null Hypothesis
A hypothesis that suggests there will be no difference/relationship between variables, any that does occur does so by chance e.g. alcohol will have no effect on reaction time.
Definition:
Independent Variables (IV)
The variable the psychologist manipulates and controls to see how it affects behaviour.
Definition:
Dependent Variables (DV)
The variable which is measured (usually the participants’ behaviour) by the psychologist.
Definition:
Co-variables
Co-variables indicate two or more quantities being measured in a correlation by the researcher that may or may not vary with each other.
Definition:
Operationalisation of Variables
Giving a precise definition of the behaviour being manipulated/observed/measured (IV/DV). This allows for repetition and raises reliability as it is an agreed value that has been attributed to the measurement.
Definition:
Confounding Variables
Variables in a study that are not being measured or manipulated by the researcher, that affect SOME participants’ behaviours but not others, having negative consequences for validity (e.g, more likely to check phone in observation if waiting for an important email).
Definition:
Extraneous Variables
Variables in a study that are not being measured or manipulated by the researcher but affect the results (DV) of ALL participants’ behaviour equally. (e.g., time of day/weather)
Definition:
Confederate
An individual in a study who is not a real participant and has been instructed how to behave by the investigator
Definition:
Pilot study
A small-scale trail run of a study to test any aspects of the design, with a view to making improvements
Outline
Main features of an experiment.
Measures cause and effect relationships.
Researcher retains control over research variables.
Random assignment of participants to conditions.
Equal treatment of participants, except in relation to the IV.
Presence of a control condition.
