research methods Flashcards

(82 cards)

1
Q

what is an independent variable

A

variable that you manipulatein a peice of research. so effect on DV can be measured

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2
Q

what is a dependant variable

A

The one that you measure, any effect on dv should be caused by change in IV

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3
Q

operalization

A

defining variables in terms of how they can be measure

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4
Q

hypothesis

A

clear,testeable and prescisestatement stating relationship between variables

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5
Q

directional

A

predicting the direction of the effect of IV on DV

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6
Q

non directional

A

predicting the effect but NOT the direction.

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7
Q

aim

A

**simply a statement* about aims of investigation.

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8
Q

extraneous variable

A
  • variable other than IV(change) that may effect the Dv if not controlled
  • eg age of pp
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9
Q

confounding variable

A
  • when EV has not been properly controlled and interferes with DV(results)
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10
Q

situational variables

A
  • EVs linked to the situation rather than pps
    eg, temperature
  • eg intructions,lighting,temp,noise
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11
Q

participent variables

A
  • EVs linked to participents rather than situation
  • eg age,experience,gender,personality
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12
Q

investigator effects

A
  • Any effect on DV(measure) as a result of the investigators behaviour
  • eg smilimg or nodding (intentional or subconcously)
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13
Q

Demand characteristics

A
  • any cues from research or situation to the pp which may lead to pp chaning behaviour
  • eg knowledge of study,order of tasks
  • screw you or please you effect
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14
Q

types of validity

face validity

A
  • whether it looks subjectivley promising
  • appears to measure what it is supposed to.
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15
Q

concurrent validity

A
  • extent to which a psycological measure compares to a similar existing measure
  • results obtained should either match or be closely similar to the results of a well established and recognised test.
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16
Q

temporal validilty

A
  • generalisability to other historial times and eras.
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17
Q

ecological validity

A
  • extent to which findings can be generalised to other situations and settings
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18
Q

ways of improving validity

A
  • using a control group in experimental research to asses whether changes in DV were due to effect on IV
  • standardised procedures
  • single&double blind trials to achieve the same aim
  • questionaires(assuring pps all data is anonymous)
  • observations
  • qualitative methods-higher ecological validity
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19
Q

social desirablity bias

A
  • type of response bias tendancy to answer questions in ways that represtent themselves in socially acceptable terms or attempt to gain approval from others
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20
Q

randomisation

A
  • use of chance to reduce effects of bias from investigator effects
  • eg for design of matirials,deciding order of conditions,selection of pps.
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21
Q

random allocation

A
  • random allocation of pps to experimental and control conditions in an extremely important process in research.
  • decreases systematic error
  • individual dfferences less likely to affect results
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22
Q

experimental designs

Independant group design

A
  • pps allocated into different groups
  • each group represent one experimental condition
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23
Q

experimental designs

repeated measures design

A
  • all pps allocated to all groups
  • take part in all conditions
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24
Q

experimental designs

matched pairs design

A
  • pps take part in only one experimental condition
  • eg intelligence,gender,age
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25
# experimental designs How do we deal with issues in MPD&IGD
* random allocation eg put names in hat and pick * **counterbalancing** attempt to control order of effects in RMD * ABBA technique half take part in A then B half take part in B then A
26
# experimental designs order of effects
* when pps are tested more than once in repeated measures * can lead to better performance due to practice * or tiredness and bordem
27
# experimental designs how do we deal with issues in repeated measures design
* **counter balancing** reduces order of effects *
28
# experimental designs problem with independant variables
* variation betweenpps can effect DV * eg age,race,socialclass * problem for **independant measures** control this by random assignmement
29
# types of experiments Labortary
* takes place in a **controlled environment** * manipulating Iv recording effect on DV * :)easier to replicate, **standardised procedure** * :(may produce unatural behaviour,low ecological validity * demand characteristic,investigator effects
30
# types of experiment Field
* done in **every day life** environment of pps * still **manipulates IV** but IRL setting * cannot really control EV * :)behaviour **more likely** to refelct real life,higher ecological **validity** *:( difficult to replicateðical issues as no consent
31
# types of experiments Natural
* done in **every day life** of pps but **NO CONTROL over IV** * takes advantage of **pre existing** Iv that wouldve happend anyway * :) high ecological validity,can provide opportunities for reasearch that may have not been taken for ethical issues * :( naturally occuring event may only happen rarely,difficult to replicate
32
# types of experiment Quasi
* contain a **naturally occuring** IV(change) * eg difference in people that already exists * :) carried under controlled variables,easier to replicate, control on EV&IV effect and cause established. * :( maybe confounding variables(when EV not properly controlled), cannot randomly allocate pps.
33
# sampling techniques population
general population in whole world
34
# sampling technoques target population
large group pf individuals researcher may be interested in
35
# sampling techniques sample
group of people who take part in reasearch drawn from target population
36
# sampling techniques opportunity sampling
* taking sample from people **available at the time** * &fit for criteria * :) easy and inexpensive to carry out * :( may not be representive,could be subjective to bias
37
# sampling techniques volunteer sampling
* pps select themselves to be apart of sample * :) easy and less time consuming * :( asking may attract certain people leading to bias and less valid results
38
# sampling techniques random sampling
* everyone has **equal** change being selected * eg ranomdly selected on computer * :) no bias or researcher influence * :( not representive of whole population
39
# sampling techniques stratified sampling
* people in certain subgroups within target pop * randomly selected in **proportional amounts** * :) increases chances of attaining representive sample * :( takes more rescourses×
40
# sampling techniques systematic sampling
* listing all then selecting the **nth** person till you reach desired population size * eg every 4th * :) unbiased if randomised representitive data * :( if not randomised can be biased
41
Bias
* if certain groups maybe **over or underestimated** within sample selected * eg too many young people
42
generalisation
* extent to which the findings and conclusions from a study **can be applied to a population** * only possible if sample of of pps is **representitave ** of population.
43
standardisation
* using the **same procedures** for **all** pps * eg same environment,instructions and experience
44
45
# ethical issues BPS(british phsycological society) ethical issues
* depection * protection from harm * informed consent * debreifing * right to withdraw * confitientiality
46
# ethical issues informed consent
* making pps **aware** of **aims** of research,procedure and their rights * they can choose whether to take part or not | how to deal ## Footnote * ensure pps have been given all info that may affect their descision * under 16=parental consent signature
47
# ethical issues deception
* **deliberetly** misleading or witholding information from pps *informed consent not given | how to deal ## Footnote * need for deception should be **approved** by ethics comitee * debriefed at end of study
48
# ethical issues protection from harm
* pps not placed in any more risk than in **daily lives** * protected from **physical&physcological harm** * eg embaressed,stress,pressure * they have the **right to withdraw** | how to deal ## Footnote * at the end of study **full debreif** of the aims * given right to **withdraw data** * reassured behaviour is typical&normal * may require councilling researcher may provide
49
# ethical issues privacy&confidentiality
* pps have right to control information about themselves * right of **privacy** extends to where study took place * geological location not named. | how to deal ## Footnote * maintain anonymity eg numbers or initials of pps * during **debrefing** pps reminded data is **protected** throughout process
50
# ethical issues debreifing
* post research interview inform pps **true nature of study**
51
# ethical issues right to withdraw
* pps have the right to **withdraw** themselves&data at any time.
52
# pilot studies what is a pilot study
* a small scale version of an investigation which is done before the real investigation is undertaken * allow potential **problems to be identified** * allows **money&time** saved in the long run ## Footnote * self reports orinterviews important to **reword or remove** wods that may be ambigious orconfusing.
53
# pilot studies what is important to check?
* timings * understanding of instructions * ethical issues * fatigue * damand characteristics and investigator effects * equipment functioning *
54
single blind procedure
* **researcher** does not tell pps if they are being given a test treatment or a control treatment * avoid **demand characteristics** *
55
double blind procedure
* **neither pp or experimentor ** knows who is recieving particular treatment * prevents **bias** due to demand characteristics or placebo effect * reduces **investigator effects**
56
control groups&conditions
* set as a **baseline** resulys from experimental condition are compared to this one * is change is **siginificantly greater** easier to conclude it was the effect of IV.
57
# observational techniques Naturalistic observation
* watching and recording behaviour in a **natural setting** wouldve taken place normally * people **expected to be observed** | strengths&weaknesses ## Footnote * :) high ecological validity as its naturally occuring behaviour * :( **cannot** be replicated tocheck reliability as researcher is not in **control** of variables
58
# observational techniques controlled observation
* watching&recording behaviour from a **structured envioronment** * less natural as ps **may be aware** they are in a study. | strengths&weaknesses ## Footnote * :) more control over **extraneous&confounding variabl**,can be replicated to check reliability * :( **low ecological validity** behaviour in artificial environment leading to **demand characteristics**
59
# observational techniques Covert observation | covert(under**co**ver)
* pps are **unaware** they are being watched or observed * **without consent** * observer usually tucked away from view | strengths&weaknesses ## Footnote * :) **natural behaviour** decreases **investigator effects** & removes **demand characteristics** * :( **ethical issues** could be invading pps privacy as they didnt give consent
60
# observational techniques Overt observation
* behaviour is observed and pps **are aware** they are being watched * they have given **full consent** | strengths&weaknesses ## Footnote * :) **ethically acceptable** since conent is given * :( can lead to **demand characteristics**, and more likely to have **unatural** behaviour through **investigator effects** through **social desirability bias**
61
# observational techniques participent observation
* observer **becomes part of group** that is being observed * | strengths&weaknesses ## Footnote * :) more **insightful** increasing **validity of findings**,unlikelyto overlook or miss any behavious * :( could lead to **researcher bias** as they may lose n**objectivity** their behaviour moight influence pps.
62
# observational techniques non participent observation
* observes from a distance not apart of group being observed,**remains seperate** * more**objective way** | strengths&weaknesses ## Footnote * :) can be less bias,less likley to **identify** with pps * :( due to **lack of proximity** may overlook or **miss behaviour**, or open to **observr bias** eg steryotypes that they are aware of.
63
# observational designs behavioural catogories
* when target behaviour being observed is broken up into more **prescise components** that are **observable&measureable** | strengths&weaknesses ## Footnote * :) more structured and **objective** * :( difficult to make clear,all forms of behaviour must be listed can be unambigious
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# observational design unstructured observation | everything
* consists of **continious recording** where researcher writes **everything they see** * | stregths&weaknesses ## Footnote * :) more **richness&depth** of detail increasing validity * :( risk of **observer bias**,only see the behaviour they're interested in,producing **qualititative data**
65
# observational design structured
* necessary to **simplify target behaviours** * reasearcher **quantifies** what they are observing with a **predetermined list** of **behaviours&sampling mehthods** | strengths&weaknesses ## Footnote * :) **quantitative data** produced easy to analyse and compare with other data,less risk of **observer bias** * :( difficult to recieve **high interobserver reliability**,as filling predetermined lists is **subjective**
66
# observational designs time sampling(structured)
* recording/tallying behaviour within a certain **timeframe ** that is **predetermined** before study | strengths&weaknesses ## Footnote * :) less time consuming as it reduces numbe rof observations,more structured&systematic * :( **important details** can go missed data unpresenntitative of **whole observation**
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# observational designs event sampling(structured)
* counting/tallying when **particular behaviour** is carried out. | strengths&weaknesses ## Footnote * :) useful for **infrequent behaviour**,researcher still picks up behaviour that doesnt occur in regualr intervals * :( important details of behaviour **may be overlooked** as its **complex**,counting errors,effecting **validity**
68
# self report techniques&design self report technique
* method in which a person is asks to **state or explain**ir own feelings,opinions/experiences related to a given topic
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# self report techniques&designs questionnaire
* set of written questions used to asses a persons **thoughts/experiences** | strengths&weaknesses ## Footnote * :) cost effective,saves time&money,easy to analyse * :( **social desirability bias** (changing answers to present themselve better) * :( **acquiesnce bias**(tendancy to agree with items regardless how they feel) * no researcher present unable to clear up **misunderstandings**
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# self report techniques&designs open questions
* allow pps to **elaborate** on their answers and give **more detail** | strengths&weaknesses ## Footnote * :) **qualitative data** rich in detail * :( difficult to analyse
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# self report techniques&designs closed questions
* offers a **fixed number** of responses eg choosing an option "yes or no" * | strengths&weaknesses ## Footnote * :) **quantative data** easier to analyse,saves money * :( lacks depth
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# self report techniques&designs interview
* **live** encounter where interviewer is asks a set of qs to asses interviewees **thoughts/experiences** * qs may be **preset or may develop**
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# self report techniques&designs structured interview
* predetermined list of qs * asked in a **fixed order** | strengths&weaknesses ## Footnote * :) easy to replicate,high reliability,quick * :( **cant elaborate**, limited richness of data
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# self report techniques&designs unstructured interview
* free flowing questions * general aim, interviewee **encuraged to expand** on answers. | * :) greater **flexibility**,greater insight on interviewee * :( analysi
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# self report techniques&design designing interviews
* **standardised list of qs** * rapport (establishing reationship) * ethics * interview scedual-qs intent to cover * treat interviewees with **confidence**
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# self report design likert scales
* indicates **agreement or otherwise** * statement using **5 points**
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# self report design rating scales
* respondents identify **a value** that represents their feeling about a certain topic
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# self report designs fixed choice option
* includes a **list** of possible options * respondents requires to pick what applies to them.
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# self report designs writing good questions
* **overuse of jargon** (using technical terms where those within particular feild or area will know) * **emotive language and leading qs**(attitude toawrds topic is clear) * **doublebarrelled questions/double negatives**(two qs in one,or difficukt to decifer) e.g i am not unhappy in my job(agree or disagree)
80
role of peer review
* **allocation of research funding** * assess the quality&relevance of research * suggesting improvements * assessing the research rating of university departments
81
evaluation of peer review
* not always possible to find **appropriate expert** * **publication bias** research may publish significant positive results, result can create false impression of current state of pyscology if editors are selective/bias. * **burying ground breaking research**-may surpress research that might contradict the views of reviewer.rearch that poses a challenge or fresh/new less likely to be passed.
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psycology&the economy
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