Research Methods

Question 1

Independent variable

Answer 1

The thing the experimenter changes/manipulates. Always more than one

Question 2

Dependent variable

Answer 2

The thing the experimenter measures

Question 3

Extraneous variable

Answer 3

A variable which could have an impact on the DV

Question 4

Aim

Answer 4

Identifies the purpose of the investigation

Question 5

Hypothesis

Answer 5

A statement predicting the outcome of research

Question 6

Null hypothesis

Answer 6

States there will be no affect on the DV

Question 7

One-tailed hypothesis

Answer 7

Predicts the nature of the affect of the IV on the DV

Question 8

Two-tailed hypothesis

Answer 8

There will be an effect but the direction isn’t specified

Question 9

Sample

Answer 9

A section of the population used to represent the group as a whole

Question 10

Random sample

Answer 10

Each person has en equal chance of being picked(random number generator)

Question 11

Opportunity sample

Answer 11

Whoever is available and willing to participate

Question 12

Stratified sample

Answer 12

Researcher identifies the types of people making up the population and works out the proportions needed for the sample to be representative

Question 13

External validity

Answer 13

Do the results reflect what would happen in the real world(naturalistic observations have highest external validity)

Question 14

Internal validity

Answer 14

Causation- are we sure we know what causee the results( experiments with control and randomisation have the highest internal validity)

Question 15

Reliability

Answer 15

How consistent or dependable it is. A reliable test carried out in the same circumstances on the same participants should always get the same results

Question 16

Naturalistic observation

Answer 16

Behaviour is studied in a natural environment

Question 17

Controlled observation

Answer 17

Behaviour observed in a controlled environment (lab) where the researcher can manipulate the iv

Question 18

Overt observation

Answer 18

Participants know they’re being observed

Question 19

Covert observation

Answer 19

Participants aren’t aware they’re being observed

Question 20

Participant observation

Answer 20

Observer takes part in the experiment but their status is not made known to other participants

Question 21

Non-participant observation

Answer 21

Researcher observes without taking part in the experiment

Question 22

Event sampling

Answer 22

Uses a checklist of activities which are tallied as they occur

Question 23

Time sampling

Answer 23

Behaviour as specified on a checklist is observed and recorded at a specific time intervals

Question 24

Observer effect

Answer 24

Refers to participants changing their behaviour when aware an observer is present

Question 25

Correlational study

Answer 25

A method where the researcher looks for relationships between variables

Question 26

Structured interview

Answer 26

Each person has the same questions in the same order and the researcher aims to get quantitative data

Question 27

Unstructured interview

Answer 27

Questions not prearranged data usually qualitative

Question 28

Questionnaires

Answer 28

A set of written questions with a choice of answers

Question 29

Open ended questions

Answer 29

Qualitative data can't be answered with one word

Question 30

Closed questions

Answer 30

Yes no/ multiple choice etc...

Question 31

Rating scales

Answer 31

Participants answer a question by selecting a value to reflect their perception on a topic

Question 32

Likert rating

Answer 32

Measures the attitude of individuals . An attitude statement is given and participants have to choose the one that suits them best

Question 33

Social desirability

Answer 33

When participants answer questions in a way they think makes them look better

Question 34

Demand characteristics

Answer 34

Participants pick up on the aims of the study

Question 35

Order effects

Answer 35

Influence of the order of completion of conditions e.g getting bored or tired at the end

Question 36

Age bias

Answer 36

The study and its results are more inclined toward a certain age group

Question 37

Case study

Answer 37

Detailed research carried out over a period of time with the same group of individuals

Question 38

Confederate

Answer 38

An actor who participates in an experiment along with other actual participants, unknown to them

Question 39

Counterbalancing

Answer 39

Technique used to deal with order affects, each group takes part in conditions in varying orders.

Question 40

Ecological validity

Answer 40

Can the findings be generalised to real life and still be valid

Question 41

Ethnocentrism

Answer 41

Bias toward one ethnic group or culture

Question 42

Experimenter bias

Answer 42

The researcher is biased towards certain results or observations in order to fulfill their beliefs

Question 43

External reliability

Answer 43

The extent to which a measure varies from one use to the next

Question 44

Face validity

Answer 44

The extent to which a study appears to do what it is supposed to do

Question 45

Internal reliability

Answer 45

The extent to which the results are consistent across the same measure

Question 46

Inter-rater reliability

Answer 46

A method of measuring the consistency of a measure by assessing the measures of multiple different observers

Question 47

Population validity

Answer 47

The extent to which the sample is representative of the target population

Question 48

Temporal validity

Answer 48

The extent to which the results from an experiment remain valid in different time periods

Question 49

Type 1 error

Answer 49

Incorrectly rejecting the null hypothesis which is true(false positive)

Question 50

Type 2 error

Answer 50

Incorrectly accepting the null hypothesis(false negative)