Complete glossary

Question 1

Case study

Answer 1

A rich, detailed study of one person or group. Often lacks population validity.

Question 2

Content analysis

Answer 2

The use of themes or categories to turn qualitative data into quantitative data which allows for easier analysis.

Question 3

Control

Answer 3

Minimisation of extraneous variables causing an impact on the dependent variable.

Question 4

Controlled observation

Answer 4

An observation with lots of control, often using pre-defined categories.

Question 5

Correlational analysis

Answer 5

The measuring of the relationship between to variables without manipulating either of them.

Question 6

Correlation coefficient

Answer 6

The extent to which two variables share a relationship.

Question 7

Counterbalancing

Answer 7

When one half of the group of participants completes the conditions opposite to the other half to prevent order effects.

Question 8

Covert observation

Answer 8

An observation where the participants don’t know that they’re being observed.

Question 9

Demand characteristics

Answer 9

The change of behaviour of participants due to knowledge that they’re in a study.

Question 10

Ecological validity

Answer 10

The extent to which we can generalise the results to the real world.

Question 11

Event sampling

Answer 11

The recording of an event every time it happens.

Question 12

External validity

Answer 12

The extent to which the results can be generalised to either other people or to real life.

Question 13

Extraneous variable

Answer 13

Variables controlled to make the experiment a fair test.

Question 14

Field study

Answer 14

A study which takes place in a real/ natural setting where the independent variable is manipulated.

Question 15

Independent groups design

Answer 15

A design where different participants complete different conditions of the independent variable.

Question 16

Internal validity

Answer 16

The extent to which the test is really measuring what it sets out to measure.

Question 17

Inter-rater reliability

Answer 17

Consistency of results between the observers.

Question 18

Interval date

Answer 18

Numerical data which has strict intervals

Question 19

Investigator effects

Answer 19

When the researcher influences the results or the behaviour of the participants

Question 20

Lab study

Answer 20

A study in an artificial surrounding, which has control over the independent variable.

Question 21

Matched pairs design

Answer 21

A design where different participants are matches so they are similar, however they complete different independent variables.

Question 22

Meta-analysis

Answer 22

A way of drawing all the data from studies in a topic area together to form overall conclusions.

Question 23

Non-participant observation

Answer 23

An observational study where the researcher is not involved to reduce bias.

Question 24

Normal distrubution

Answer 24

For a given attribute, most scores lie close to the mean, with significantly higher and lower scores being less likely.

Question 25

Operationalising variables

Answer 25

Precisely defining variables which can be manipulated or measured.

Question 26

Opportunity sampling

Answer 26

Sampling done by choosing the people you have available. (biased)

Question 27

Order effects

Answer 27

A limitation of repeated measures design where participants either gain practice or become tired by repeating the test.

Question 28

Ordinal data

Answer 28

Numerical data which can be ranked in order

Question 29

Participant observation

Answer 29

An observation study where the experimenter is involved.

Question 30

Pilot study

Answer 30

A small-scale study used to test if there are any methodological or ethical issues with the experiment.

Question 31

Population validity

Answer 31

The extent to which the results of a test can be generalised to other people.

Question 32

QuaLitative data

Answer 32

Non-numerical, rich in detail

Question 33

QuaNtitative data

Answer 33

Numerical data

Question 34

Quasi study

Answer 34

A study in which the independent variable alters without the researchers intervention.

Question 35

Questionnaires

Answer 35

A self-report method of collecting both qualitative and quantitative data.

Question 36

Paradigm shift

Answer 36

Revolutionary changes in scientific assumptions

Question 37

Peer review

Answer 37

Scrutiny by experts of research papers to determine scientific validity and importance.

Question 38

Primary data

Answer 38

Data collected specifically towards a research aim, which has not been published before.

Question 39

Random sampling

Answer 39

Sampling where each member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected.

Question 40

Repeated measures design

Answer 40

A design where the same participants complete the different conditions of the independent variable.

Question 41

The 'screw you' effect.

Answer 41

When the participants guess the aim of the experiment and act in the opposite fashion to disrupt the experiment.

Question 42

Secondary data

Answer 42

Data originally collected towards another aim which has been published before.

Question 43

Semi-structured interview

Answer 43

An interview which has some set questions but allows for follow-up questions to gain rich data.

Question 44

Sign thest

Answer 44

A non-parametric statistical test used for experiments where data is nominal and a repeated measures design can be used.

Question 45

Skewed distribution

Answer 45

For some attributed, a really high set of scores or a really low set of scores may lead to a skewed distribution where the curve is not symmetrical

Question 46

Social desirability bias

Answer 46

When participants change their behaviour to appear more desirable.

Question 47

Split-half reliablity

Answer 47

Consistency of items in a questionnaire.

Question 48

Standard deviation

Answer 48

Measure of diversion which shows the average amount that the scores differ from the mean.

Question 49

Standardised instructions.

Answer 49

All instructions are written exactly the same so the experiment is fair.

Question 50

Stratified sampling

Answer 50

A sampling method where the final sample will have the same proportion of certain characteristics or attributes as the target population

Question 51

Systematic sampling

Answer 51

A sample technique where the participants are picked in an ordered fashion.

Question 52

Time sampling

Answer 52

A sample technique where the researcher records an event/behaviour every interval of time.

Question 53

Unstructured interview

Answer 53

An interview with no pre-planned, structured questions.

Question 54

Validity

Answer 54

The extent to which one is truly testing what they are set out to test.

Question 55

Volunteer sampling

Answer 55

Sampling using volunteers. Often students, elderly and unemployed - unrepresentative sample.