research methods Flashcards
(82 cards)
what is an independent variable
variable that you manipulatein a peice of research. so effect on DV can be measured
what is a dependant variable
The one that you measure, any effect on dv should be caused by change in IV
operalization
defining variables in terms of how they can be measure
hypothesis
clear,testeable and prescisestatement stating relationship between variables
directional
predicting the direction of the effect of IV on DV
non directional
predicting the effect but NOT the direction.
aim
**simply a statement* about aims of investigation.
extraneous variable
- variable other than IV(change) that may effect the Dv if not controlled
- eg age of pp
confounding variable
- when EV has not been properly controlled and interferes with DV(results)
situational variables
- EVs linked to the situation rather than pps
eg, temperature - eg intructions,lighting,temp,noise
participent variables
- EVs linked to participents rather than situation
- eg age,experience,gender,personality
investigator effects
- Any effect on DV(measure) as a result of the investigators behaviour
- eg smilimg or nodding (intentional or subconcously)
Demand characteristics
- 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
types of validity
face validity
- whether it looks subjectivley promising
- appears to measure what it is supposed to.
concurrent validity
- 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.
temporal validilty
- generalisability to other historial times and eras.
ecological validity
- extent to which findings can be generalised to other situations and settings
ways of improving validity
- 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
social desirablity bias
- type of response bias tendancy to answer questions in ways that represtent themselves in socially acceptable terms or attempt to gain approval from others
randomisation
- use of chance to reduce effects of bias from investigator effects
- eg for design of matirials,deciding order of conditions,selection of pps.
random allocation
- 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
experimental designs
Independant group design
- pps allocated into different groups
- each group represent one experimental condition
experimental designs
repeated measures design
- all pps allocated to all groups
- take part in all conditions
experimental designs
matched pairs design
- pps take part in only one experimental condition
- eg intelligence,gender,age