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Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

What are research methods?

A

Techniques used to collect data

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2
Q

What is covert observation?

A

The subject doesn’t know that you are observing

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3
Q

What is an aim?

A

A statement of what the researchers intend to find out
Researchers should state their aim beforehand so its clear what the study intends to investigate

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4
Q

What is an experiment?

A

An experiment involves the manipulation of an independent variable to see the changes in the dependent variable

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5
Q

What is a variable?

A

A thing that can vary or change
IV- manipulate
DV- measure

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6
Q

What is a control condition?

A

A baseline level of behaviour without manipulation of IV

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7
Q

What is an experimental condition?

A

Manipulation of IV

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8
Q

What is a directional hypothesis?

A

Predicting the direction of results (one-tailed)
Difference between two conditions

  • more likely to….than…
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9
Q

What is a correlation?

A

Stating a relationship between two ‘things’

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10
Q

What is a non-directional hypothesis?

A

Does not predict direction (two-tailed)
No previous research to help predict
Can predict significant difference

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11
Q

What is a non- directional correlation?

A

There will be a relationship but unknown whether positive or negative

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12
Q

What is a null hypothesis?

A

Will not be found
Not going to be a difference or relationship

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13
Q

What is experimental design?

A

the different ways in which the testing of participants can be organised in relation to the
experimental conditions

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14
Q

What is independent group design?

A

participants are allocated to different groups where each group represents one
experimental condition

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15
Q

What is repeated measures design?

A

All participants take part in all conditions of the experiment

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16
Q

What is matched pairs design?

A

Pairs of participants are first matched on some variable(s) that may affect the DV. Then
one member of the pair is assigned to Condition A and the other to Condition B

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17
Q

What is random allocation?

A

An attempt to control for participant variables in an independent groups design which ensure that each participant has the same chance of being in one condition as any other

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18
Q

What is order effects?

A

A confounding variable that occurs in repeated measures designs, arising from the order
in which conditions are presented e.g. practice effect or boredom effect

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19
Q

What is counterbalancing?

A

An attempt to control for the effects of order effects in a repeated measures design: half
of the participants experience the conditions in one order (A then B) and the other half in
the opposite order (B then A).

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20
Q

What are the 3 experimental designs?

A
  1. Independent groups design
  2. Repeated groups design
  3. Matched pairs design
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21
Q

What are extraneous variables?

A

Variable other than IV and may effect DV if not controlled
Does not vary systematically with IV- effect is random

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22
Q

What are confounding variables?

A

Varies systematically with IV- cannot be sure of true source of change to the DV
Systematic- in fixed system

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23
Q

What are demand characteristics?

A

Participants can deliberately change behaviour within research situations
Cue from researchers or from the research situation may be interpreted by particpants

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24
Q

What are investigator effects?

A

Effect of investigators behaviour on DV
May include from the design of the study, to the selection and interactions with participants during research

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25
What is randomisation?
Use of chance to control the effects of bias- reduce extraneous variables Randomly allocated to different conditions
26
What is standardisation?
Exactly the same formalised procedure and instructions for all participants Reduces randomisation
27
What is a single blind procedure?
Do not know condition of experiment Reduces demand characteristics
28
What is a double blind trial?
Investigator and participant do not know Reduces demand characteristics and investigator effects
29
What is a laboratory experiment?
. An experiment that takes place in a controlled environment . The researcher manipulates IV and records effects of DV . Maintain strict control of extraneous variables
30
What is a field experiment?
. An experiment that takes place in a natural setting within which the researcher manipulates IV and records effects on DV
31
What is a natural experiment?
. An experiment where the change in the IV is not brought about by the researcher but would have happened even if the researcher had not been there Records effects on DV
32
What is a quasi experiment?
. A study that is almost an experiment, but the IV has not been determined by anyone . The variables simply exist . E.g old or young
33
What is ecological validity?
. High ecological validity indicates that the findings of the research can be generalised and applied to real-life scenarios . Real-life situations researched would experience same things as people in the study . Less validity - cannot be generalised to real life
34
What is the order of control over IV?
lab field natural
35
What is the order of ecological validity?
natural field lab
36
What is random sampling?
Each member of a population has an equal chance of being selected . Lottery method
37
What is systematic sampling?
When every nth member of a target population is selected from a sampling frame . Nomination based on number required
38
What is stratified sampling?
The composition of the sample reflects the proportions of people in certain sub-groups (strata) in the target population . Representative
39
What is opportunity sampling?
Selecting anyone who happens to be willing to take part
40
What is volunteer sampling?
An advert is produced and individuals self-select themselves to take part
41
What are the 5 ethical issues?
Informed Consent Right to withdraw Confidentiality Deception Protection from harm
42
What is informed Consent?
Given comprehensive information of nature and purpose of the research and role in it in order to make an informed decision to take part in the study
43
What is the right to withdraw?
Withdraw from participating I'd they are uncomfortable in any way and also can refuse for their data to be used
44
What is confidentiality?
Participants right to have personal information protected
45
What is protection from harm?
Should not experience any physical or psychological harm
46
What is Deception?
Deliberately misleading or withhold information at any stage of study
47
What are participants made aware of during the debrief?
Aims of investigation Any details not supplied during study
48
What is presumptive consent?
Rather than getting consent from the particpants themselves, a similar group of people are asked whether the study is acceptable, if this group agree, the consent of original participants is presumed
49
What is prior general consent?
Participants give their permission to take part in a number of different studies- including one that will involve Deception, by consenting, participants are effectively consenting to being decieved
50
What is retrospective consenting?
Participants are asked for their consent during debriefing having already taken part in the study, they may or may not have been aware of their participation or they may have been decieved
51
What are observations?
. Non-experimental method meaning they cannot establish cause and effect relationships . Allows psychologists to study observable behaviour . No iv
52
What are naturalistic observations?
Watching and recording behaviours in the settings where it would usually occur
53
What are controlled observations?
Watching and recording behaviour in a structured environment Some variables are managed
54
What are covert observations?
Participants behaviour is watched and observed without their knowledge or consent
55
What are overt observations?
Participants behaviour is watched and observed with their knowledge and consent
56
What are participant observations?
The researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour they are watching or recording
57
What are non-participant observations?
The researcher remains outside the group whose behaviour they are watching or observing
58
Explain the internal validity of naturalistic observations
Low as they cannot determine the behaviour or influence in any way due to extraneous variables
59
Explain the external validity of naturalistic observations
High as they can often be generalised to everyday life
60
Explain the reliability of naturalistic observations
Difficult due to lack of control over research observations
61
Explain the demand characteristics of naturalistic observations
No as it is an environment that they are used to
62
Explain the internal validity of controlled observations
High as they can manipulate behaviour in the 'lab' setting as extraneous variables are less of a factor
63
Explain the external validity of controlled observations
Low as it cannot be generalised to everyday life
64
Explain the reliability of controlled observations
Extraneous variables are less of a factor and so replication is made easier
65
Explain the demand characteristics of controlled observations
Yes as it is in a 'lab' setting and they would be aware of the unusual surroundings
66
Explain the internal validity of covert observations
High as the participants do not know that they are being observed
67
Explain the ethical issues of covert observations
High because they do not have the consent of the people that they are observing
68
Explain the demand characteristics of covert observations
Low because they do not know that they are being observed
69
Explain the internal validity of overt observations
Low as the participants may change behaviours if they know that they are being observed
70
Explain the ethical issues of overt observations
Low because the participants know that they are observed and have a choice to take part
71
Explain the demand characteristics of overt observations
High because they know that they are being observed and could piece it together
72
Explain the internal validity of participant observations
High as they can get increased insight into the lives of the people that they are studying
73
Explain the objectivity of participant observations
They could be influenced by the people they are observing as they have became a member of that group
74
Explain the internal validity of non-participant observations
Lower as they are not physically within the group to get detailed information and may feel removed from the group
75
Explain the objectivity of non-participant observations
They may be more opinion-free and not influenced as they are not physically in the group and are observing from a further distance
76
What is an abstract
Key details of report Short summary of 150-200 words
77
What is an introduction
Past research Funnel- broad to begin with and gets narrower Details theories and concepts Very specific aims and hypothesis
78
What is a method
Split into several sub-sections so study can easily be replicated Design, research methods usef, type of research, why Sample- people involved in study, biological/ demographic information and target population Any materials provided Step by step from beginning to end What and how ethics are addressed
79
What are results
Key findings Graphs, tables and charts Reference to choice of stats test Qualitative or quantitative data
80
What is discussion
Results in verbal and not statistical Mindful of limitations due to past investigations Wider implications of data are considered
81
What is referencing
All data in full Journal articles, books, websites Prevents plagarising
82
What is the order in referencing
Surname Letter of first name Year Title Location Publisher

psychology (8 decks)

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