Key terms

Question 1

Alternative hypothesis

Answer 1

A statement that predicts a difference or correlation in results

Question 2

Null hypothesis

Answer 2

A statement that predicts no difference or correlation in results

Question 3

Co-variable

Answer 3

something that changes in relation to another variable

Question 4

Extraneous variable

Answer 4

A variable, apart from the IV, that can affect the dependent variable unless it’s controlled

Question 5

Standardisation

Answer 5

A way of controlling extraneous variables that keep them the same across conditions

Question 6

Experimental design

Answer 6

The way participants are allocated to conditions in an experiment

Question 7

Repeated measures design

Answer 7

An experimental design where participants take part in each condition

Question 8

Independent measures design

Answer 8

An experimental design where participants are different in each condition

Question 9

Order effects

Answer 9

Factors that impact negatively on research findings because participants follow the same order of conditions in an experiment

Question 10

Consent

Answer 10

When a person agrees to being studied or agrees on someone else’s behalf

Question 11

Ethical guidelines

Answer 11

Recommendations that consider the welfare of participants

Question 12

The British Psychological Society’s code of ethics and conduct

Answer 12

A set of criteria - under the headings of respect, competence, responsibility and integrity - that psychologists should aim to follow when carrying out research

Question 13

Ethics

Answer 13

What is morally right are wrong

Question 14

Debriefing

Answer 14

A way of dealing with ethical issues at the end of research, including an explanation of the study

Question 15

Right to withdraw

Answer 15

A way of dealing with ethical issues by ensuring participants know they can opt out at any point

Question 16

Confidentiality

Answer 16

A way of dealing with ethical issues by making sure that participants are not identifiable through use of names or other types of data

Question 17

Experiment

Answer 17

A method of collecting data that measures the effect of an IV on a DV by controlling other variables

Question 18

Interview

Answer 18

A method of collecting data that involves directly questioning people

Question 19

Questionnaire

Answer 19

A method of collecting data that involves people answering a series of pre-determined questions

Question 20

Case study

Answer 20

A method of collecting data that involves focusing on a small sample in detail

Question 21

Correlation

Answer 21

A method of analysis that looks for a relationship between two variables

Question 22

Lab experiment

Answer 22

When an IV is manipulated in a controlled environment to test the effect on the DV

Question 23

Field experiment

Answer 23

Where an IV is manipulated in a natural environment to test its effect on a DV

Question 24

Natural experiment

Answer 24

Where an IV is not directly controlled by the experimenter but its effect on a DV is still tested

Question 25

Structured interview

Answer 25

An interview with pre-determined questions

Question 26

Un-structured interview

Answer 26

An interview where questions vary depending on the answers given by the participant

Question 27

Closed questions

Answer 27

Questions which have set responses to choose from

Question 28

Open questions

Answer 28

Questions that have no fixed responses so participants can respond how they wish

Question 29

Rating scales

Answer 29

A way of answering a closed question that requires the respondent to select a number to represent their response

Question 30

Naturalistic observation

Answer 30

Observing people in a real-life setting

Question 31

Controlled observation

Answer 31

Observing people in an environment that has been set up in some way

Question 32

Overt observation

Answer 32

Observing people with their knowledge

Question 33

Covert observation

Answer 33

Observing people without them knowing

Question 34

Participant observation

Answer 34

Observing people whilst also participating in their activities

Question 35

Non-participant observation

Answer 35

Observing people from a distance

Question 36

Qualitative data

Answer 36

Descriptive data

Question 37

Quantitative data

Answer 37

Numerical data

Question 38

Positive correlation

Answer 38

When two variables travel in the same direction

Question 39

Negative correlation

Answer 39

When two variables travel in opposite directions

Question 40

Zero correlation

Answer 40

When two variables show no relationship

Question 41

Correlation coefficient

Answer 41

A score that measures the strength and direction of the relationship between two co-variables

Question 42

Mode

Answer 42

A measure of central tendency that uses the most common score or scores in a data set

Question 43

Median

Answer 43

A measure of central tendency that uses the middle score from a numerically ordered list of data

Question 44

Mean

Answer 44

A measure of central tendency that is the result of adding all scores in a data set together and then dividing that total by the sum of the scores

Question 45

Range

Answer 45

A measure of how spread out scores are that compares the highest score with the lowest score in the data set. This is calculated by taking the lowest score away from the highest score.

Question 46

Ratio

Answer 46

A measure that shows the relative sizes of two or more values

Question 47

Primary data

Answer 47

Information collected first-hand

Question 48

Secondary data

Answer 48

Information used but collected by another person (second-hand)

Question 49

Measure of central tendency

Answer 49

An average taken from a data set