Psychological Research Flashcards
the scientific method (27 cards)
What is a dependent variable (DV)?
Measures the effects of the IV.
What is an independent variable (IV)?
The conditions that are manipulated to measure their effects on the dependent variable.
Define ‘population’ in research.
The entire group of the researcher’s interest from which the sample is taken.
Define ‘sample’ in research.
A smaller group of participants selected for the research from the larger population.
What does the PIDD checklist for hypotheses stand for?
Population, Independent Variable, Dependent Variable, Direction.
What is the experimental group?
The group affected by the IV.
What is the control group?
The group not affected by the IV, used as a comparison.
What is an extraneous variable?
Variables other than the IV that might affect the DV.
What is a confounding variable?
Variables other than the IV that have changed the DV.
What are individual participant differences?
The unique combination of personal characteristics, abilities, and backgrounds each participant brings to an experiment.
What are non-standardised instructions?
When research procedures (including instructions) are not the same for all participants.
What is the placebo effect?
A change in participants’ behaviour due to their belief that they are receiving some kind of experimental treatment and responding accordingly.
What is reliability?
Results should be consistent, dependable, and stable.
What is validity?
The extent to which the experiment measures what it is intended to measure.
What is internal validity?
The extent to which the IV caused the change in the DV, not extraneous variables.
What is external validity?
How accurately the obtained information can be generalised from the sample to the population.
What is meant by the protection and security of participants’ information?
Ensuring information is protected from misuse, interference, loss, disclosure, and modification. Information needs to be kept confidential and destroyed after use.
What is confidentiality in research?
Not disclosing information about participants to anyone unless consent has been obtained. The right to privacy and confidentiality procedures must be explained before the study.
What is voluntary participation in research?
Participants must voluntarily consent to being involved.
What is informed consent in research?
Participants must be told about the procedures, risks, and benefits of the study. Written consent must be collected from the participant or their guardians if underage.
When is the use of deception permissible in research?
When it is absolutely necessary for the study and done ethically. Participants must be debriefed about this after the study.
What is debriefing in research?
Clarifying the nature of the research after it is finished, explaining the true purpose if deception was used, and allowing participants to ask questions.
What is a representative sample?
A sample that is approximately the same as the population from which it is drawn in every important participant variable.
What is random sampling?
Ensuring every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected to be part of the sample.
