psychology - research methods :)

Question 1

Experiment

Answer 1

Investigation that allows researchers to look for a causal relationship

Question 2

Independent variable

Answer 2

The factor under investigation in an experiment that is manipulated to create two or more conditions and is expected to be responsible for changes in the DV

Question 3

Dependent variable

Answer 3

The factor in an experiment that is measured and is expected to change under the influence of the independent variable

Question 4

Uncontrolled variable

Answer 4

A variable that either acts randomly or systematically so can obscure the effects of the IV making the results difficult to interpret

Question 5

Experimental condition

Answer 5

One or more of the situations in an experiment that represent different levels of the IV and are compared

Question 6

Control condition

Answer 6

A level of the IV in an experiment from which the IV itself is absent, compared to one or more experimental condtion

Question 7

Experimental design

Answer 7

The way in which participants are allocated to levels of the IV

Question 8

Independent measures

Answer 8

An experimental design where a different group of participant is used for each level of the IV.

Question 9

Demand characteristics

Answer 9

Features of the experimental situation which give away the aims and can cause participants to try to change their behaviour to match their beliefs about what is supposed to happen, reducing the study’s validity

Question 10

Random allocation

Answer 10

A way to reduce participant variables by placing participants in each level of the IV such that each person has an equal chance of being in each condition

Question 11

Repeated measures

Answer 11

An experimental design in which each participants performs in each level of the IV

Question 12

Participant variables

Answer 12

Individual differences between participants that could affect their behavior in a study that would hide or exaggerate differences between levels of the IV

Question 13

Confounding variable

Answer 13

An uncontrolled variable that acts systematically on one level of the IV

Question 14

Order effect

Answer 14

The consequences of participating in a study more than once

Question 15

Practice effect

Answer 15

A situation where participant performance improves because they experience the experimental task more than once through learning / familiarity

Question 16

Fatigue effect

Answer 16

A situation where participants’ performance declines because they experience the experimental task more than once, such as due to tiredness / boredom

Question 17

Randomisation

Answer 17

A way to overcome order effects by allocating each participants to perform in the different levels of the IV in a way that ensures they have an equal chance of participating in the different levels in any order

Question 18

Counterbalancing

Answer 18

Each possible order of levels on the IV is performed by a different subgroup of participants, such as ABBA

Question 19

Matched pairs

Answer 19

An experimental design in which participants are arranged into pairs, similar in ways that are important to the study, then one member of each pair performing a different level of the IV

Question 20

Standardisation

Answer 20

Keeping the procedure for each participant in a studty exactly the same to ensure that any differences between participants are due to the variables under investigation rather than how they were treated

Question 21

Reliability

Answer 21

The extent to which a procedure, task, or measure is consistent and produces the same results

Question 22

Validity

Answer 22

The extent to which the researcher is testing what they claim to be testing

Question 23

Pilot study

Answer 23

Small scale test of the procedure of a study before it is conducted to ensure that the procedure and materials are valid and reliable

Question 24

Operational definition

Answer 24

The clear description of a variable such that it can be accurately manipulated measured or quantified and the study can be replicated

Question 25

Placebo

Answer 25

A pill or procedure given to a participant who believes it to be real treatment but has no active ingredient

Question 26

Generalise

Answer 26

To apply the findings of a study more widely

Question 27

Ecological validity

Answer 27

The extent to which the findings of research conducted in one situation would generalise to other situations

Question 28

Hypothesis

Answer 28

A testable statement based on the aims of an investigation

Question 29

Self report

Answer 29

A research method that obtains data by asking participants to provide info about themselves

Question 30

Open vs close ended

Answer 30

Close ended - produces quantitative data Open ended - produces qualitative data

Question 31

Interview technique vs format

Answer 31

Technique: tele / face-to-face Format: structured / unstructured / semi Question format: close / open

Question 32

Questionnaire technique vs format

Answer 32

Technique: paper / online Format: open / close

Question 33

Inter-rater reliability

Answer 33

A measure of whether different researchers are scoring consistently when interpreting qualitative responses in a questionnaire or interview

Question 35

Inter-observer reliability

Answer 35

A measure of whether different researchers are producing the same records when they see the same behaviours when watching the same event

Question 36

Longitudanal vs cross sectional

Answer 36

Longitudanal: A research method that follows a group of participants over time looking at changes in variables to explore development or changes due to experiences Cross-sectional: Compares people at different ages or stages by comparing different groups of participants at one point in time

Question 37

Cohort

Answer 37

A group of participants selected at the same age / stage