Research methods Flashcards

1
Q

IV

A

Independent variable - the variable that changes to create the different conditions

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2
Q

DV

A

Dependent variable - the variable that is measured by the researcher

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3
Q

Extraneous variable

A

Any variable that could affect the results

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4
Q

Confounding variable

A

Any variable other than the IV that has had an effect on results

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5
Q

Demand characteristics

A

When participants act unnaturally because they know they are part of an experiment

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6
Q

Social desirability bias

A

When the participant acts the way they think they are supposed to

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7
Q

Negative participant rule

A

The ‘screw you’ effect. when the participant acts out intentionally.

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8
Q

Investigator effects

A

Anything the researcher does that may affect the outcome of the experiment

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9
Q

Independent groups

A

When the participants are split into 2 groups and each group does one condition

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10
Q

Independent groups evaluation

A

Strengths: no order effects occur, only one test needs to be made
Weaknesses: individual differences may bias results in one condition, more participants are needed

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11
Q

Repeat measures

A

When all the participants take part in all the conditions, sometimes one group will do them in one order and the other in another order

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12
Q

Repeat measures evaluation

A

Strengths: no individual differences, less participants are needed
Weaknesses: order effects occur, two equal tests must be made

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13
Q

Matched pairs

A

Different people take part in different conditions but are matched across groups, e.g. by age

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14
Q

Matched pairs evaluation

A

Strengths: matching reduces individual differences, no order effect occur
Weaknesses: it can be impossible to find people with similar characteristics, more participants are needed

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15
Q

Informed consent

A

Involves making the participants aware of the aims of the research and what their data will be used for, then allowing them to decide if they want to be involved

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16
Q

Protection from harm and distress

A

The participants should not be placed under any more risk or stress than they would in their daily lives

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17
Q

Deception

A

Deliberately misleading or withholding information at any point. A participant who has been deceived cannot give informed consent.

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18
Q

Right to withdraw

A

Participants have the right to withdraw at any point, including the right to withdraw their data

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19
Q

Debrief

A

After the research is over, participants should be able to discuss the research and findings with the researcher

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20
Q

Confidentiality

A

Participants and their data must be kept anonymous unless they give their full consent

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21
Q

Random sampling

A

The entire population has an equal, random chance of being chosen

22
Q

Random sampling evaluation

A

Strengths: everyone has an equal chance of being chosen, not subject to researcher bias
Weakness: doesn’t represent population

23
Q

Systematic sampling

A

Chooses sample in a logical way from a list

24
Q

Systematic sampling evaluation

A

Strengths: not subject to researcher bias, easy to do
Weaknesses: time consuming, sample does not always represent population

25
Q

Stratified sampling

A

Identifying the different types of people that make up the target population and selecting the sample based on the proportions needed for the sample to be representative

26
Q

Stratified sampling evaluation

A

Strengths: sample is usually representative of population, no researcher bias
Weakness: difficult and time consuming

27
Q

Opportunity sampling

A

Uses people from the target population who are willing to take part, based on convenience

28
Q

Opportunity sampling evaluation

A

Strengths: easy and time efficient
Weaknesses: not representative of the population, may be subject to researcher bias

29
Q

Volunteer sampling

A

Participants put themselves forward as candidates for the study

30
Q

Volunteer sampling evaluation

A

Strengths: no researcher bias if all volunteers are accepted, easy
Weaknesses: may only attract one type of person, not representative of the population

31
Q

Aim

A

A description of the purpose of the study

32
Q

Directional hypothesis

A

A specific, testable prediction of the direction of the effect

33
Q

Non-directional hypothesis

A

A specific, testable prediction that does not predict the direction of the effect

34
Q

Face validity

A

Whether the experiment appears valid at face value

35
Q

Concurrent validity

A

Whether the results of the experiment comply with other experiments at the time

36
Q

Ecological validity

A

Whether the results can be applied to other settings

37
Q

Temporal validity

A

Whether the results will be valid across time

38
Q

Mean

A

The average calculated by adding all the scores and dividing by number of values

39
Q

Median

A

The middle value

40
Q

Mode

A

The most common value

41
Q

Range

A

The range between the highest and lowest values, calculated by taking the lowest value from the highest value

42
Q

Standard deviation

A

A single value that shows how far the scores deviate from the mean; the larger the standard deviation, the greater dispersion in a set of scores

43
Q

Table

A

Summarising data through descriptive statistics, usually accompanied by a summary paragraph

44
Q

Bar chart

A

Used when data is divided into categories (discrete data)

45
Q

Scattergram

A

Depicts associations between co-variables

46
Q

Histogram

A

Presents continuous data

47
Q

Randomisation

A

The use of chance wherever possible to reduce the researcher’s influence on the investigation

48
Q

Standardisation

A

Making sure all participants are subject to the same experience, environment and information

49
Q

Random allocation

A

Control of participants variables, meaning each participant has the same chance of being in one condition as any other

50
Q

Counterbalancing

A

Only used in repeat measures; half the participants experience the conditions in one order and half the participants experience the conditions in the other order