Operational variable
A variable that defines or describes in terms of the procedures used to observe and measure it
Iv
The variable that the experimenter manipulates to gauge its affect in the the dv
Dv
The variable that the experimenter measures
Population
The larger group of research interest from which a sample in a research study has been drawn
Sample
The group of participants in a research study selected from and representatives of a population of research interest
Extraneous variable
A variable other than the iv that may cause changes in the dv
Controlled variable
An extraneous variable whose influence has been eliminated from an experiment so that it can not affect the results
Uncontrolled variable
An extraneous variable whose influence has not been eliminated from an experiment because the experimenter was not aware of it
Confounding variable
An uncontrolled variable that has an unwanted affect on the dv and may be confused with the iv
Standardisation
Establishing standards for administrating a test and interpreting the results
Participant variables
Individual differences in the personal characteristics of research participants that I’d not controlled can confound the results on the experiment
Order effect
Where prior knowledge of a task or situation influences a participants response which in turn influences the results
Counterbalancing
A method used to control the order effect, where half the participants in an experiment are exposed to the control condition first, this is then reversed in the second instance
Experimenter effect
Changes in the participants behaviour that are caused by the unintended influence of the experimenter rather than the iv
Self fulfilling prophecy
A prediction that prompts people to behave in a way that makes the prediction come true
Placebo effect
Changes in the behaviour caused by the participants belief that they have been exposed to a treatment that will affect them in some way
Single blind procedure / double blind procedure
Single- where the participants do not know if they are being exposed to the experimental condiments but the experimenter does
Double - both the participants and the experimenter are not aware if they are being exposed to the experimental or control conditions
Independent groups design
An experimental design where participants are randomly allocated to either the experimental group or the control group
Limitation - Difficult to achieve groups of equal size Advantage - No order affects Quick easy, cost effective
Matched participants design
An experimental design where participants are paired on the basis is of similar characteristics that can influence the DV
With one of the pair being allocated to the experimental group and the other the control
Limitations -
Time consuming expensive. Unconsidered personality aspect my influence results
Advantages- no order affects
Repeated measures design
An experimental method where the same group of participants makes up both the experimental and control group
Limitations -
Order affect, boredom sample must be representative
Advantages -
No personality differences to control
Random sampling
Every member of a population of interest has an equal chance of being selected for the sample being used in a study
Stratified sampling
Ensures the sample contains the same proportions of participants that are found in a population
Convenience sampling
Read lily available to researcher
Experimental group
Group of participants that are exposed to the iv
Control group
Group of participants that are not exposed to the iv and are used as a standard to measure against
Qualitative data
Data that describes the changes in the quality of a behaviour
Personal attitudes feelings
Quantitative data
Data collected through a systematic and controlled procedures and presented in numerical form
Case study
An in depth, detailed study of all aspects of a single participant, group or event. Usually to gain insight into a particular psychological phenomenon.
Qualitative data
Limitations -
Impractical, unethical or impossible to perform
Uncontrolled studies - limits conclusions drawn from them
Results can not be generalised
Time consuming subjective process
Ethics
moral principles and codes Participants rights Confidentiality Withdrawal rights Voluntary participation Informed consent Access to results Deception Debriefing
Debriefing
Informing the participants of the true purpose of an experiment once it has been ended. Correcting any mistaken beliefs
Providing opportunity to gain information about the study
Providing information services to help with distress
Deception
When information about the true purpose of a study is not given to participants before a study begins
Informed consent
Where a participant gives their written consent to participate in a study after being fully informed f the true nature and purpose of the experiment.
And any foreseeable risks
Voluntary participation
Where participants agree to take part of an experiment free from pressure or fear of negative consequences
Withdrawal rights
At any time without fearing consequences
Confidentiality
A participants right to privacy, in terms of access disposal and storage of information related to a research study to which they participated