Research Methods

Question 1

Experiments

Answer 1

An investigation that allows researchers to look for a relationship between the IV and the DV.

Question 2

Uncontrolled variables

Answer 2

A variable that acts randomly affecting the DV in all levels of the IV.

Question 3

Experimental Condition

Answer 3

One or more situations that represent different levels of IV (Compared to a control condition).

Question 4

Control condition

Answer 4

A of level of IV where the IV itself is absent.

Question 5

Types of experimental designs.
What are they?

Answer 5

-Independent measure design
Different group of participants
for each level of IV.
-Repeated measures design
Same group of participants in
every level of IV
-Match pair design
The participants are sort into
pairs.

Question 6

Demand Characteristics

Answer 6

Features where the participants know the aim and try to change their behaviour, which also reduces the validity.

Question 7

Confounding variables

Answer 7

An uncontrolled variable that could hide or exaggerate the differences between the levels and confuse the results, so it is harder to understand the effect of IV on DV.

Question 8

Participant variables

Answer 8

Individual differences between participants which could affect their behaviours which would hide or exaggerate differences in levels of IV.

Question 9

Random allocation

Answer 9

A way to reduce confounding variables.

Question 10

Order effects and types of order effects

Answer 10

Effects that cause changes in performances of participants that are not due to the IV but affect the DV.

Two types of order effects are Practice and Fatigue effect.

Question 11

Ways to overcome order effects.

Answer 11

Randomisation- where participants are allocated in different levels of IV which ensures they have an equal chance of participating in different levels in any order

Counterbalancing- where participants order of of levels of IV is performed by a different sub-group of participants. (This is aslo called a ABBA design)

Question 12

Advantages and Disadvantages of Independent Measures

Answer 12

Advantages
-There are no order effects.
-Reduced effect of demand characteristics.
-Reduce the effects of individual differences.

Disadvantages
-Participant variables can distort results if there are any important differences.
-More participants needed than repeated mesures

Question 13

Advantages and Disadvantages of Repeated Measures

Answer 13

Advantages
-Participant variables are unlikely to distort IV.
-Counterbalancing reduces order effects.
-Uses fewer participants than other designs.

Disadvantages
-Order effects could distort results.
-increased exposure to demand characteristics

Question 14

Advantages and Disadvantages of Matched Pair

Answer 14

Advantages
-Reduced demand characteristics
-Participant variables are less likely to distort IV.
-No order effects

Disadvantages
-The correct matching criteria should be chosen in advance because similarity between pairs is limited.
-Sample size is smaller

Question 15

Laboratory experiment

Answer 15

The experiment is conducted in a setting that is not usual for the participant.

Question 16

Standardisation

Answer 16

Keeping the procedure for each participant the same to ensure that any differences between participants or conditions is because of the variables under investigation.

Question 17

Reliability

Answer 17

The extent to which a procedure, task or measure is consistent and replicable.

Question 18

Validity

Answer 18

The extent to how well a test measures.

Question 19

Generalisability

Answer 19

The extent to which the finding of a study can be applicable in other settings.

Question 20

Operationalisation

Answer 20

The clear description of a variable such that it can be manipulated, measure or quantified and the study can be replicated.

Question 21

Field Experiment

Answer 21

It is conducted in a natural setting for the participants behaviour to be investigated.(Less Controls)

Question 22

Advantages and disadvantages of Laboratory Experiment

Answer 22

Advantages
-Good controls that increases validity.
-Only the Iv would affect the DV.
-Standardised procedure raises reliability and replicability.

Disadvantages
-Lower ecological validity.
-Demand characteristics may affect behaviour.

Question 23

Advantages and disadvantages of Field Experiments

Answer 23

Advantages
-Participants are likely to behave naturally, which increases ecological validity.
-Problem of demand characteristics is less

Disadvantages
-Control of variables is harder
-Less sure if the DV change is because of IV.
-Participants may be unaware that they are in a study, raises ethical issues.

Question 24

Hypothesis and types of hypothesis

Answer 24

Hypothesis is a testable statement based on the aim of an investigation.

Three types of hypothesis are
-Two tailed hypothesis
-One tailed hypothesis
-Null hypothesis

Question 25

Ethics in Experiments

Answer 25

Ethical issues include -Informed consent -Right to withdraw -Protection from harm -Deception -Privacy -Confidentiality

Question 26

Self report

Answer 26

A research method, which obtains data from asking participants to provide information about themselves.

Question 27

Questionnaire

Answer 27

A self report method that uses written questions through pen and paper or online technique.

Question 28

Interrater reliability

Answer 28

The extent to which two researchers interpreting qualitative responses will produce same records from the same raw data.

Question 29

Interview

Answer 29

A research method using verbal questions which happens either face-to-face or telephone.

Question 30

Subjectivity

Answer 30

The effect of a an individual's personal viewpoint.

Question 31

Objectivity

Answer 31

The impact of an unbiased external view point.

Question 32

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 32

A study conducted by watching the participants behaviour in their natural environment without interference.

Question 33

Controlled Observation

Answer 33

A study conducted by watching participants behaviour in a situation where social and physical environment has been manipulated.

Question 34

Inter-observer Reliability

Answer 34

The consistency between two researchers watching thre same event.

Question 35

Participant Observer

Answer 35

A researcher who watches from the perspective of the social setting.

Question 36

Non-participant Observer

Answer 36

A researcher who is not involved in the situation being studies.

Question 37

Correlation

Answer 37

A research method that looks for relationship between two measured variables. It has two co-variables.

Question 38

Situational Variable

Answer 38

A confounding variable caused by an aspect of the environment.

Question 39

Sample

Answer 39

The group of people selected to represent the population in a study.

Question 40

Opportunity sampling Benefits and Limitation

Answer 40

Participants are chosen because they are available. Benefits -Quicker and easier than other methods Limitations -Variety of people available is limited so they tend to be similar, therefore the sample could be biased

Question 41

Volunteer sample

Answer 41

Participants are invited to participate. Benefits -Easy because participants come to the researcher Limitations -People who respond may be similar

Question 42

Random sample

Answer 42

Sampling all members for the population are allocated numbers and a fixed amount of these are selected in a unbiased way. Benefits -All types of people in the populations are equally to be chosen Limitations -The participant might not want to be part of the study

Question 43

Quantitative data Benefits and Limitations

Answer 43

Numerical results about the quantity of a psychological measure. Benefits -Uses objective measures -Scales or questions are often very reliable -Data can be analyzed easier Limitations -Data collection method often limits responses so they are less valid

Question 44

Qualitative data

Answer 44

Descriptive results indication the quality of a psychological measure. Benefits -Data is valid as participants can express themselves -Important but unusual responses are less likely to be ignores Limitations -Data is subjective so is likely to be invalid -Data can only be gathered form one or few individuals, so it is harder to generalise

Question 45

Ethical issues

Answer 45

Problems in research that raise concerns about the welfare of the participants.