Research Methods Flashcards
(33 cards)
Experiment
An investigation looking for a casual relationship in which an independent variable is manipulated and is expected to be responsible for changes in the dependent variable.
Independent variable
The factor under investigation in an experiment which is manipulated to create two or more conditions and is expected to be responsible for changes in the dependent variable
Dependent variable
The factor in an experiment which is measured and is expected to change under the influence of the independent variable
Extraneous variable
A variable which either acts randomly, affecting the DV in all levels of the IV or systematically
i.e on one level of the IV so can obscure the effect of the IV, making the results difficult to interpret
Experimental condition
One or more of the situations in an experiment which represent different levels of the IV and are compared
Control condition
A level of the IV in an experiment from which the IV is absent. It is compared to one or more experimental conditions
Laboratory experiment
A research method in which there is an IV, DV and strict controls. It looks for a casual relationship and is conducted in a setting that is not in the usual environment for the participants with regard to the behaviour they are performing
Experimental design
The way in which participants are allocated to levels of the IV
Independent measures design
An experimental design in which a different group of participants is used for each level of the IV
Demand characteristics
Features of the experimental situation which give away the aims. They can cause participants to try change behaviour.
E.g. to match the beliefs about what is supposed to happen, which reduces the validity of the study
Random allocation
A way to reduce the effect of confounding variables such as individual differences. Participants are put in each level of the IV such that each person has an equal chance of being in any condition.
Repeated measures design
An experimental design in which each participant performs in every level of the IV
Participant variables
Individual differences between participants (age, personality, intelligence) that could affect their behaviour in a study. They could hide or exaggerate differences between levels of IV.
Order effects
Practise and fatigue effects are the consequences of participating in a study more than once
Practise effects
A situation where participants’ performance improves because they experience the experimental task more than once.
Due to familiarity or learning the task
Fatigue effect
A situations where participants’ performance declines because they have experienced a task more than once
Due to boredom or tiredness
Randomisation
Counterbalancing
The participant sample is divided in half, with one half completing the two conditions in order and the other half in reverse
- used to cover come order effects in a repeated measures deign
- (ABBA design)
Why is informed consent important in psychological research
So the participants are told enough about the study to decide if they want to do it or not
Why is it sometimes necessary to break the guideline of informed consent
- reduce demand characteristics
- less likely to work out aim
- don’t try to do what research wants
- so findings are more realistic
- so changes in behaviour are due to the IV
Describe semi-structured interview
- face to face/in real time
- some questions are fixed
- some questions are flexible, interviewer can decide what to ask, question depends on interviewee’s responses
Advantages of structured interview
- fixed questions - more consistent
—> results are more reliable - every interviewer will ask same questions
—> high inter-rater reliability - all ppts produce comparable data
—> easier to analyse results
Identify how one control group in Laney was different from an experimental group
Group not given critical item about loving asparagus
Experiment 1 - “you loved to eat cooked asparagus”
Experiment 2 - “you loved asparagus the first time you ate it”
Why are control groups important in psychological research
- ensures comparison
- show IV had an effect
- casual relationship can be identified
