Research Methods Flashcards
(45 cards)
Define a lab experiment
An experiment conducted in a controlled environment such as a lab.
Define a field experiment
An experiment that is conducted in a setting that is similar to a real life setting.
Define IV
Independent variables are what the researcher manipulates in the study.
Define DV
Dependent variables are what the researcher is aiming to measure in the study.
Null Hypothesis
This is a hypothesis that predicts the IV will have no affect on the DV.
One-tailed Hypothesis
A concrete prediction ,you predict a change and what it will do.
Two-tailed Hypothesis
An unsure prediction, you predict a change but don’t predict what it’ll be.
Strengths of Lab experiments
- It is standardised and therefore easy to replicate - reliable.
- They allow for precise control of extraneous and independent variables. This allows a cause-and-effect relationship to be established.
Limitations of Lab experiments
- The artificiality of the setting may produce unnatural behaviour that does not reflect real life- low ecological validity. This means it would not be possible to generalize the findings to a real-life setting.
- Demand characteristics or experimenter effects may bias the results and become confounding variables.
Strengths of Field experiments
- Behaviour in a field experiment is more likely to reflect real life because of its natural setting- higher ecological validity than a lab experiment.
- There is less likelihood of demand characteristics affecting the results, as participants may not know they are being studied. This occurs when the study is covert.
Limitations of Field experiments
- There is less control over extraneous variables that might bias the results. This makes it difficult for another researcher to replicate the study in exactly the same way. (low reliability)
Volunteer sampling
When participants choose to be in the study
Opportunity sampling
When researchers choose the first people they see in an environment to be in the study
Stratified sampling
When the target population is split into subgroups and participants are chosen in proportion to the subgroups
Random sampling
When all of the target population have the same chance of being selected
Define quantitative data
Numerical data
Define qualitative data
Non numerical data
Define a closed question
These questions have a predetermined set of answers
Define open questions
These questions don’t have fixed responses so ppts can answer however they want to
Define a likert scale
rating scale used to measure opinions attitudes or behaviours
Define a rating scale
instrument used to assign scores to people or items along some numerical dimensions
Define an identifying characteristics question
ppts are given a set of characteristics and asked to highlight those that they think apply to the question
Evaluate qualitative data
Strengths- high validity, conveys individual meaning
Weaknesses- subjective, hard to analyse large groups, low reliability
Evaluate quantitative data
Strengths- objective, reliable,easy to compare
Weaknesses- lacks validity
