Research Methods: Key Terms Flashcards
Case Studies
an in depth investigation often of a single individual, event or small group
Interval Data
numerical data that is ordered and in objective units
Ordinal Data
numerical data that is ordered but subjective, difference between items need not be the same
Nominal Data
data separated into categories
Standard Deviation
measure of spread of data around mean, calculates average distance from mean of all scores
Correlation Coefficients
a numerical representation of a correlation, range from -1 (strong negative correlation) to +1 (strong positive correlation)
Covariables
the variables that are measured in a correlation
Correlation
the measurement of a relationship between 2 or more variables shows a relationship not the causation
Interviewer Bias
where expectations or opinions of interviewer interferes with judgement of interviewee
Self Report Techniques
research methods in which ps give info about themselves (without researcher interference)
Social Desirability Bias
participants answer qs in a manner that will be viewed favourably by others
Structured Interview
made up of pre determined set of qs asked in fixed order, standardised
Investigator Effects
when the investigator directly or indirectly has an effect on a ps performance
Demand Characteristics
when a subject picks up cues during an experiment therefore possibly affecting + altering the results
Mundane Realism
whether or not task ps are asked to do represent something they would experience and do in real life
Internal Validity
concerns things that go on whithin a study that may affect accuracy
Ecological Validity
concerns whether results can be generalised to other settings
Temporal Validity
concerns whether results can be generalised to other times
Population Validity
concerns whether results can be generalised to other people
External Validity
concerns whether results can be generalised to different situations
Quasi Experiment
IV is naturally occuring + is impossible to manipulate, cant be randomly assigned to experimental + control groups
Natural Experiment
conducted when not possible, ethically or practically, to manipulate IV. DV can be tested in a lab
Field Experiment
controlled experiment conducted outside a lab, IV is manipulated but difficult to control extraneous + confounding variables, ps unaware, cause + effect inferred
Lab Experiment
an experiment carried out in a controlled setting, ps are aware, variables carefully controlled, artificial materials, cause + effect are established
Volunteer Sampling
advertise in newspaper/notice board or internet, variety of ps, volunteer bias: have more time, are helpful, need money