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Research Methods Flashcards

(66 cards)

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1
Q

Define Independent Variable

A

The variable manipulated by the researcher

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2
Q

Define Dependent Variable

A

Variable that is measured

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3
Q

Define Extraneous Variable

A

A variable that might affect your DV, identified at the start and not controlled for.

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4
Q

Define Confounding Variable

A

An extraneous variable that was not controlled for and interacts with the DV therefore affecting the IV

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5
Q

What is Operationalisation of Variables

A

Refers to how variables are made measurable.

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6
Q

3 key features of the Experimental Method

A

•Direct manipulation of the IV
•High levels of control
•Randomisation

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7
Q

Strength of Experimental Method

A

•High levels of control - means it’s easily replicated
•High Internal Validity- easy to control extraneous variables

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8
Q

Limitations of Experimental Method

A

• Reduces the ecological validity
• Demand characteristics - people aware that they are in an experiment

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9
Q

Define Demand Characteristics

A

The tendency of participants to use cues in experiments to work out how the experimenter expects them to behave.

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10
Q

How to reduce demand characteristics

A

•Use independent groups so they aren’t exposed to each condition and IV
• Single Blind technique - the participant doesn’t know the condition of the shield experiment

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11
Q

What is the investigator affect

A

When the experimenter exerts an influence on the effect of the experiment and it’s outcome.

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12
Q

How to reduce investigator effect

A

Use double blind technique - neither researcher nor participant know the aims of the study

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13
Q

Outline of a Field Experiment

A

•Carried out in natural environments
•Researcher still manipulates the IV and measures the DV
•Participants are usually unaware they are participating in an experiment

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14
Q

Strengths of Field Experiment

A

•High ecological validity
• Demand characteristic chances are low - increase internal validity

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15
Q

Limitations of Field Experiment

A

•More time consuming than other experiments which reduces population validity
• Difficult to have full control over the environment

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16
Q

Outline Natural Experiments

A

• Naturally occurring events
• No control over the IV
• IV is assigned already

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17
Q

Strengths of the Natural Experiments

A

• Very High ecological validity
• Very low chance of demand characteristics- increases your nternal validity.

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18
Q

Limitations of Natural Experiments

A

• The desired behaviour that could be displayed is limited as researcher has no control
• No control over extraneous variables

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19
Q

Outline Quasi Experiments

A

• Have a pre-existing IV usually a character trait e.g age, gender
• Can be carried out in controlled or more natural conditions.

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20
Q

Define Repeated Measures

A

All participants take part in all levels of the IV and results of the DV in both conditions compared

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21
Q

Define Independent Groups

A

Participants are split so that different participants take part in different levels of the IV and then the results from each group compared

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22
Q

Define Matched Pairs

A

Different participants are used in each level of the IV but they are matched so that there are two people who are matched on similar key characteristics

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23
Q

Evaluate Repeated Measures

A

• Order if effect means that participants may do better in the second condition as they practices on the first or may get bored and do worse.
• Demand characteristics

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24
Q

Evaluate Independent Groups

A

Strength
• Avoids order effects
• Avoid chance of guessing aim of the experiment
Limit
• Can’t control participant variables
• Independent measures needs more repeated measures

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25
Evaluate Matched Pairs
Strength •Avoids order affects •Effects of individual difference can be reduced Limits • Time-consuming and difficult to match participants Not possible to match on all traits as many are unknown
26
Ways to deal with limitations of Repeated Measures
Counterbalancing
27
Ways to deal with limitations of independent groups
Participants randomly allocated to each variable so that participants are distributed evenly.
28
Ways to deal with limitations of matched pairs
Conduct a pilot study to consider key variables that could affect DV
29
Define Random Allocation
To randomly pick where the participants need to go in an experiment
30
Define Counterbalancing
Used in repeated measures, split participants so they complete the IV and DV n a different order
31
Define Randomisation
A technique used for deciding the order of presentation of individual stimuli.
32
Define Standardisation
All participants in a study have the exact same experience so that individual experience doesn’t cause participants to engage with the study differently.
33
Define Naturalistic Observation and controlled observation.
•Involves the researcher observing naturally occurring behaviour - researcher doesn’t get involved. •The researcher attempts to control certain variables - reduces ecological validity
34
Define Overt observations and Covert Observations.
•Overt- Aware they are being observed •Covert- Participants don’t know they are being observed
35
Define Participant observation and Non-participant observation
• The observer joins the group • The observer remains external to the group - may become impossible or impractical to join the group
36
Strengths and Weaknesses of Naturalistic observation
Strengths • High ecological validity and high external validity. Weaknesses • Extraneous variables can’t be controlled and may impact DV
37
Strengths and Weaknesses of Controlled Observations
Strength • High levels of control- research easily replicated Weakness • Not reflective of everyday setting - lacks external validity
38
Strengths and Weaknesses of Overt Observations
Strength •More ethically sound if they know they are being observed, allows informed consent- ethical means it is more easily replicated Weakness • May demonstrate demand characteristics
39
Strengths and Weaknesses of Covert Observation
Strength • More likely to show natural behaviour- unlikely to show demand characteristics- inc. validity Weakness • Raises ethical issues, researcher should try to get informed consent - ethical issues make it difficult to replicate research
40
Strengths and Weaknesses of Participant Observation
Strength Observer is easily able to understand the behaviour shown - inc. validity of the interpretation of the results. Weakness • May develop a rapport with the group reducing objectivity
41
Strengths and Weaknesses of Non-participant Observation
Strength • Allows the researcher to remain objective and investigator effect is unlikely to occur Weakness • Observer doesn’t necessarily understand the context of the behaviour- valuable data could be missed
42
Define Self-Report Techniques
Allows someone in a study to knowingly give up information about themselves.
43
Define Questionnaire
Printed series of questions used to gather opinions/attitudes/own behaviours about specific areas of interest.
44
Define Closed Question
When the researcher determines the range of possible answers often by ticking boxes and circling appropriate answers- provides quantitive data
45
Define Open-ended Question
A question where the researcher doesn’t restrict the range of answers available- provides qualitative data.
46
Define Opportunity Sampling
Participants are selected by those who are most easily available e.g a friend or family member
47
Strengths and Weaknesses of Opportunity Sample
Strength • Know the results won’t be sabotaged • Won’t be expensive or time-consuming Weakness • Biased as participants drawn from a small group- likely with similar characteristics
48
Define Random Sampling
All members of a target population have an equal chance of being selected - selected using random allocation.
49
Strengths and Weaknesses of Random Sample
Strength • Unbiased as any of the participants can be picked and have an equal chance Weakness • Have to have a list of all members of a target population and then contact them which may take time
50
Define Systematic Sampling
Involves having access to the target population, putting them all in a list and then selecting every nth person from that list.
51
Strengths and Weaknesses of Systematic Sample
Strength • Unbiased as all participants are selected using an objective system Weakness • Not truly random unless picking a random person and then picking every nth person after that
52
Define Stratified Sampling
This where the sample reflects the key characteristics of the sub groups in the target population. e.g if it were nurses and 70% were female, 70% of participants picked would be female.
53
Strengths and Weaknesses of Stratified Sample
Strength • More representative as there is a proportional yet random group. Weakness • Very time consuming to find sub-groups, select and contact
54
Define Volunteer Sample
When a researcher placed an advert that asks for volunteers and people sign up for it.
55
Strengths and weaknesses of volunteer sample
Strength • Gives access to a variety of participants making it more representative and less biased. Weakness • Participants are likely to suffer from demand characteristics as they volunteer showing they want to be part of an experiment and want money.
56
Define Aims
A general statement that outlines em what is being investigated and is developed from previous theories and research.
57
Define Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a specific prediction about the outcome of an investigation.
58
Define Null Hypothesis
States no difference between the IVs.
59
Define Directional Hypothesis
A hypothesis that predicts the direction of the results.
60
Define Non-directional Hypothesis
Less specific than a directional hypothesis and doesn’t predict the direction of results
61
Strengths and weaknesses of deception
Strength • Avoids demand characteristics Weakness • Participant unable to give informed consent and may see psychologist as in trustworthy in future • Can cause self- esteem issues
62
Methods of dealing with Deception
• Use of deception approved by an ethics committee • Participants should be fully debriefed after the experiment is over
63
Strength and Weakness of Informed Consent
Strength •Allows participants to evaluate whether or not they want to participate in the experiment - allows them to be aware of any risks. Weakness •Demand characteristics are likely •Participants may not know what they’re doing • People might change their opinion after the experiment
64
Methods of dealing with Informed Consent
•Participants are asked to formally indicate their agreement by signing • Alternative is presumptive consent • Researchers can offer the right to withdraw
65
Strengths and Weaknesses of Right to Withdraw
Strengths •Participants have a right to be able to leave if they feel uncomfortable or distressed Weakness • Participants may feel that if they withdraw they will ruin the study • Participants may feel that they are unable to withdraw.
66
Strengths and weaknesses of protection from harm
Strengths • Participants should feel confident that they are safe and won’t be harmed Weakness • Some topics that need experimenting may require distressed to participants. Harm may not be apparent at the tome

Psychology (3 decks)

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