Psychology Reseach Methods

Question 1

Scatter gram

Answer 1

Represents strength + direction of relationship between co variables

Question 2

Meta-analysis

Answer 2

Combining results from number of studies on particular topic for overall view

Question 3

Co-variables

Answer 3

Variables investigated in correlation

Question 4

Correlation

Answer 4

Math technique showing relationship between 2 variables

Question 5

Time sampling

Answer 5

Group/individual behaviour recorded in fixed time frame

Question 6

Self-report technique

Answer 6

Asked to state/explain feelings/opinions

Question 7

Event sampling

Answer 7

Target behaviour/event established and recorded when occurs

Question 8

Behavioural categories

Answer 8

Target behaviour broken up so observable + measurable

Question 9

Sampling techniques

Answer 9

Method used to select from population

Question 10

Sample

Answer 10

Group taking part in experiment

Question 11

Population

Answer 11

People of interest, drawn into smaller scale

Question 12

Quasi-experiment

Answer 12

IV not determined, variables just exist

Question 13

Natural experiment

Answer 13

Change in IV not brought on by investigator

Question 14

Field experiment

Answer 14

Natural setting, manipulated IV

Question 15

Lab experiment

Answer 15

Controlled setting, controlled extraneous variables

Question 16

Investigator effects

Answer 16

Impact DV through interaction with participants or study design

Question 17

Demand characteristics

Answer 17

Cue from researcher or situation that may reveal purpose of investigation

Question 18

Extraneous variables

Answer 18

Any variable other than IV that affects DV

Question 19

Repeated measures

Answer 19

All participants take part in all aspects of the experiment

Question 20

Matched pairs design

Answer 20

Pairs of participants first matched on same variable that may affect DV then split into A+B conditions

Question 21

Statistical testing

Answer 21

Way of determining whether hypothesis should be accepted or rejected- variables significantly different or happened by chance

Question 22

Descriptive statistics

Answer 22

Graphs, tables + summary statistics to analyse sets of data

Question 23

Sign test

Answer 23

Analyse difference in scores between related items

Question 24

Peer review

Answer 24

Assessment of experts in field to make sure high quality to publish

Question 25

Independent group design

Answer 25

Participants allocated to different groups where each group represents 1 experimental design

Question 26

Standardisation

Answer 26

Same formalised procedures + instructions for all peeps in research study

Question 27

Experimental design

Answer 27

Ways testing of peeps can be organised in experimental conditions

Question 28

Experimental method

Answer 28

Manipulation of IV to measure DV

Question 29

Counter balancing

Answer 29

Half peeps experience one condition and other half another condition

Question 30

Random allocation

Answer 30

Attempt at control in independent group design ensuring equal chance of being in any condition

Question 31

Randomisation

Answer 31

Chance so less bias when designing material and deciding order of conditions

Question 32

Confounding variables

Answer 32

Any variable other than IV that has effect on DV

Question 33

Hypothesis

Answer 33

Clear + precise statement showing relationship between variables

Question 34

Operationlisation

Answer 34

Clearly defining variables in terms of how measured

Question 35

Measures of central tendency

Answer 35

Any measure of average value in data set

Question 36

Case studies

Answer 36

In-depth investigation, description and analysis of a single individual, group, institution or event.

Question 37

Content-analysis

Answer 37

Research technique that enables the indirect study of behaviour by examining communications that people make e.g. emails

Question 38

Coding

Answer 38

Stage of content analysis in which the communication to be studied is analysed by identifying each distance of the chosen categories e.g. sentences

Question 39

Thematic analysis

Answer 39

Inductive and qualitative approach to analysis that involves identifying implicit or explicit ideas within data. Themes will often emerge once data has been coded.

Question 40

Paradigm

Answer 40

Set of shared assumptions and agreed methods within scientific discipline

Question 41

Paradigm shift

Answer 41

Result of a scientific revolution: significant change in dominant unifying theory within a scientific discipline

Question 42

Objectivity

Answer 42

When all sources of personal bias are minimised as to not distorted or influence research process

Question 43

Empirical method

Answer 43

Scientific approaches that are based on the gathering of evidence through direct observation and experience

Question 44

Replicability

Answer 44

Extent to which scientific procedures and findings can be replicated by other researchers

Question 45

Falsifiability

Answer 45

Principle that a theory cannot be considered scientific unless it admits the possibility of being proved untrue

Question 46

Probability

Answer 46

Measure of the likelihood that a particular event will occur where 0 indicates statistical impossibility and 1 statistical certainty

Question 47

Significance

Answer 47

Statistical term that tells us how sure we are that a difference or correlation exists. If significant then researcher can reject

Question 48

Critical value

Answer 48

When testing a hypothesis, numerical boundary or cut-off point between acceptance and rejection of the null hypothesis

Question 49

Type 1 error

Answer 49

Incorrect rejection of a true null hypothesis

Question 50

Type 2 error

Answer 50

Failure to reject a false null hypothesis

Question 51

Levels of measurement

Answer 51

Quantitative data can be classified into types or levels of measurements, such as nominal, ordinal and interval

Question 52

Chi-squared

Answer 52

Test for an association between 2 variables or conditions.