Research methods 1 and 2 Flashcards
(68 cards)
1
Q
Confounding variables
A
Affects all participants in same way, eg time of day
2
Q
Extraneous variables
A
Error doesn’t affect everyone, eg participant’s age
3
Q
2 ways to control demand characteristics
A
Single blind procedure- participant doesn’t know which condition they are in
Deception- participant told false aim
4
Q
2 ways to control investigator effects
A
Double blind procedure
Standardised instructions
5
Q
Counterbalancing
A
Participants do conditions in different orders eg AB,BA
6
Q
Reliability
A
Extent to which method produces consistent findings
7
Q
2 ways to check for reliability
A
Test-re-test
Inter-observer reliability
8
Q
Validity
A
Extent to which a study measures what it intended
9
Q
Face validity
A
Measure scrutinised based on whether it looks right
10
Q
Concurrent validity
A
When results obtained are a very close match to those of another well established test
11
Q
What is stratified sampling?
A
Composition of sample reflects proportions of people in different sub groups within a population
12
Q
What is systematic sampling?
A
Every nth person
13
Q
Field experiment
A
Naturalistic, real world setting
14
Q
Natural experiment
A
IV varies naturally
15
Q
Quasi experiment
A
Researcher takes advantage of pre-existing conditions
16
Q
What’s a structured observation?
A
Researcher tally behavioural categories producing quantitative data
17
Q
What’s an unstructured observation?
A
Note down any key behaviours
18
Q
Event sampling
A
Specific event recorded every time, observe for whole time
19
Q
Time sampling
A
Record behaviour within time frame
20
Q
3 things case studies are
A
Idiographic, retrospective, longitudinal
21
Q
Confidentiality
A
Anonymity of data, personal details shouldn’t be published
22
Q
Privacy
A
Know where the data is going to be published
23
Q
Meta-analysis
A
Data from many studies which used the same methods is combined and statistically analysed/put into table
24
Q
Standard deviation
A
Measure of spread of data around mean
High SD shows data very spread
25
What do correlations show?
Strength and direction of relationship between 2 co-variables, strength shown by correlation co-efficient
+1=perfect positive correlation
-1=perfect negative correlation
26
Ordinal data
Can be ranked in order
Happiness scale /10
27
Nominal data
Data into categories
Eye colour
28
Characteristics of normal distribution curve
Bell shaped
Symmetrical
Mean, median and mode fall on same central point
2 tails never touch horizontal axis
29
Content analysis
1) Researcher makes list of categories they're interested in investigating
2) Can be done before looking at data which avoids researcher bias, OR look at data first to see which categories emerge (give examples of possible categories)
4) Researcher reviews data and tally each time an example of a category is seen
5) Then, number of tallies for each category is totalled and results are analysed
Converts qualitative to quantitative
30
Thematic analysis
Aim is to summarise qualitative data, no tallying
1)Read and re-read text to understand its meaning
2) Break data down into meaningful units, eg sentences/phrases
3) Assign a label to each unit eg love
4) Combine simple labels into larger themes eg, interpersonal concerns
31
Falsifiability definition
When theory tested to see if its false, if researcher cannot prove that its wrong, their theory is strengthened
32
Paradigm definition
Set of shared assumptions about the subject matter of a discipline. Scientific advancement occurs in paradigm shifts
33
How can objectivity be achieved?
Controlling variables and operationalise variables
34
5 stages of scientific method/process
Observations, testable hypothesis, conduct study to test hypothesis, draw conclusions, propose theory
35
Theory definition
Set of general laws that have ability to explain events or behaviours
36
Paradigm shift definition
Result of scientific resolution. Significant change in dominant theory based on new evidence. Occurs when researchers encounter anomalies that cant be accepted by current paradigm. Researchers question the accepted paradigm, this critique gains popularity eventually resulting in paradigm shift when too much contradicting evidence
37
Points suggesting psych is a science
Objectivity, can establish causality, behaviourist and biological approaches are observable, full of theory
38
Points suggesting psych is not a science
Psychodynamic theorists use case studies, about experiments lack ecological validity, psychodynamic and cognitive approaches focus on the mind, some theories aren't falsifiable
39
Which type of data can be tallied into categories?
Nominal
40
What type of data can be ranked in order and tends to be scores?
Ordinal
41
Which type of data is based on a numerical scale with units?
Interval
42
Purpose of inferential statistics
Allow you to see if any differences or similarities are actually significant or just a fluke with the sample
43
What p level do you usually use for the sign test?
0.05 (5%)
If a stats test shows the results are significant, we can be 95% sure the results weren't due to chance
44
P level commonly used if potential human cost to the research
0.01 (1%)
45
3 circumstances you use the sign test in
Looking for difference(not correlation), repeated measures, nominal data
46
Steps of sign test
1) Add up number of positive and negative signs( if score increased or decreased) and scores which didn't change(the 0s) but you ignore the 0s
2) Your calculated S value is whichever number is lowest
3) Your n number does not include the 0 scores, add up the scores which increased and scores which decreased
4) Compare calculated S value to critical value
5) Critical value found using table, using n number and p level( also depends if hypothesis one or two-tailed)
47
Layout of statement used after doing sign test
As the calculated value of ___ is GREATER/LESS than the critical value of ___ at probability level ___ where N= ___, the results ARE/ARENT significant, therefore the experimental hypothesis is ACCEPTED/REJECTED, and the null is ACCEPTED/REJECTED.
48
When does type 1 error occur?
When use too lenient a p level, claim significance when actually insignificant
49
When does type 2 error occur?
When use too stringent a p level, claim insignificance when actually significant
50
Peer review definition
Process where psychological research papers, before publication, are scrutinised by other expert psychologists of similar field. Assess methodology/validity of measures/paper's originality
51
3 aims of peer review
Allocate funding for research, validation of quality and relevance of research, suggest improvements and amendments
52
4 stages of peer review
1) Author writes article and submits to journal
2) Editor sends copy to expert in field
3) Peer checks many aspects eg methodology
4) Paper accepted and published
53
7 components of report writing
Abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion, references, appendix
54
Abstract part of report writing definition
Summarises investigation, allows reader to quickly find out what study about so can decide if its of use to them. Includes aim, hypothesis, sample. procedure, methodology, results, statistical significance , conclusions
55
Introduction part of report writing definition
Reviews previous background research in area, gives rationale for the investigation, says hypothesis (null and experimental)
56
Method definition
Give detail to allow other researchers to replicate the study
57
4 components to method section of report writing
Design- what research method and design
Participants- sampling type, how many groups
Materials- any software, consent forms, standardised instructions
Procedures- step by step of how study done
58
Results section of report writing
Says main findings, descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, summary of data, results of stats test, accept or reject hypothesis
59
Discussion section of report writing
Reviews findings and compare findings to existing research, suggest what research to do next, implications of research for society/education/health
60
References section of report writing
Allows researchers to check on any claims made and that the research is based on good quality evidence, lists other researchers mentioned in Harvard style
61
Harvard style referencing format
Surname, initial. year. title of article. journal it was in. Chapter, page-numbers. place published, publisher.
62
Appendix section of report writing
Includes anything that would interrupt the flow of your report, eg tables of data, standardised instructions, consent form, stat test calculations
63
Purpose of informed consent form
Describes rights of ps, details of study, key contacts, show awareness of ethics
64
2 things to include in informed consent form
Brief details of study and what ps will do/ p's signature
65
Key aspects of informed consent form
No pressure to consent, can withdraw at any time, data will be confidential and anonymous, do you have any questions? , you'll be debriefed at end, space for p to sign
66
Purpose of debrief form
Ensures ps know what research they partook in and that they aren't harmed, if harmed debriefer tries to return ps to previous psychological state
67
What does a debrief contain?
Thank you/ what aim was/ brief description of study/ tell them about other conditions/ right to withdraw, confidentiality, assure ps their behaviour was normal, contact details of lead researcher for any later questions/ Do you have any questions?
68
What do standardised instructions contain?
Ends with do you have any questions?/ Hello, thanks for agreeing to partake, tasks ps will do, mention if other groups but not what they are, what they will do, brief description of what they are investigating, RTW, Do you have any questions?
