Explore research Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is an experiment in psychology?
A controlled research method that manipulates a variable to establish cause and effect.
What are the two main types of experimental designs?
Between-Participants Design and Within-Participants Design.
Why is experimental research important?
It helps determine whether one factor causes changes in another.
What is a Between-Participants Design?
A study where different participants are assigned to different conditions, and results are compared between groups.
What is a Within-Participants Design?
A study where the same participants experience all conditions, and their results are compared across conditions.
What are two key methods to improve experimental design?
Random Allocation (to reduce bias) and Counterbalancing (to control for order effects).
What are variables in an experiment?
Measurable traits that can change and be manipulated or measured.
What is an Independent Variable (IV)?
The variable that is manipulated by the researcher.
What is a Dependent Variable (DV)?
The variable that is measured to assess the impact of the IV.
Example: In a study on how talking while driving affects performance, what are the IV and DV?
IV: Distraction (talking vs. no talking)
DV: Driving performance (measured by hazard perception scores)
What does it mean to ‘operationalise’ a variable?
To define it in a way that makes it observable and measurable.
Example: How could ‘happiness’ be operationalised in a study?
By using a happiness survey with a numerical scale.
What is a hypothesis?
A statement predicting the expected outcome of a study.
What is a One-Tailed (Directional) Hypothesis?
A hypothesis that predicts a specific direction of effect (e.g., ‘Talking while driving will reduce driving performance’).
What is a Two-Tailed (Non-Directional) Hypothesis?
A hypothesis that predicts a difference but not the direction (e.g., ‘Driving performance will differ between distraction and no distraction conditions’).
What is a Null Hypothesis (H₀)?
A statement that predicts no significant effect or relationship (e.g., ‘Talking while driving will have no effect on driving performance’).
What is an Alternative Hypothesis (H₁)?
A statement predicting that variables are related (e.g., ‘Talking while driving will significantly reduce driving performance’).
In a study on medication and depression, what are the IV and DV?
IV: Medication (with vs. without medication)
DV: Depression scores
In a study on exercise and happiness, what are the IV and DV?
IV: Exercise level (intensive, moderate, none)
DV: Happiness scores
In a study on pet ownership and life satisfaction, what are the IV and DV?
IV: Pet ownership (owns a pet vs. no pet)
DV: Life satisfaction
What are key considerations when designing a study?
Defining a hypothesis, selecting an experimental design, operationalising variables, and identifying strengths and limitations.
What is Null Hypothesis Significance Testing (NHST)?
A process to determine if a study’s findings allow us to reject the null hypothesis and support the alternative hypothesis.
