Research Methods

Question 1

Independent variable (IV)?

Answer 1

the variable directly manipulated by the researcher.

Question 2

Dependent variable (DV)?

Answer 2

the variable being measured in a study

Question 3

Operationalisation

Answer 3

making the variables in an investigation detailed and specific.

Question 4

Extraneous variable:

Answer 4

a variable that is not controlled, which could affect the results of a study.

Question 5

Confounding variable?

Answer 5

an extraneous variable that affects the results of the study so that the effect of the IV is not truly being seen.

If an extraneous variable is not controlled, and so has an effect on the outcome, it is known as a confounding variable. This is because it confounds (damages) the res

Question 6

Situational variable?

Answer 6

an extraneous variable present in the environment of the study.

Question 7

Order effects?

Answer 7

when participants improve or worsen in the second condition because they have practised or become fatigued.

Question 8

Demand characteristi

Answer 8

when the participant alters their behaviour in response to the perceived aims of the investigation.

Question 9

Investigator effect?

Answer 9

when a researcher unintentionally gives clues to participants, altering their behaviour.

Question 10

Participant variables?

Answer 10

extraneous variables specific to the participants of an investigation, for example their mood, ability or personality.

Question 11

Standardised procedure?

Answer 11

where the procedure of a study is the same across all conditions.

Question 12

Counterbalancing?

Answer 12

where half of the participant group experience condition A then condition B, while the other half experience condition B then condition A.

Question 13

Randomisation?

Answer 13

when participants are randomly assigned to condition A or B as their first or second test condition.

Question 14

Single-blind technique?

Answer 14

when information about the study is withheld from participants.

Question 15

Double-blind technique?

Answer 15

when the aims of the study are withheld from both participants and researchers.

Question 16

Random allocation?

Answer 16

when participants are randomly assigned to a condition of the study.

Question 17

Null hypothesis?

Answer 17

a prediction that the results will fail to show any difference (or relationship) that is consistent or systematic.

a prediction that the result or outcome will find no effect or very little effect. To write a null hypothesis, you need to imagine what would happen if you found very little effect of your IV on your DV.

Question 18

Alternative (experimental) hypothesis

Answer 18

a prediction of the outcome of a study based on what is expected to happen.

Question 19

Directional hypothesis?

Answer 19

a hypothesis that predicts the direction the results will go in.

Question 20

Non-directional hypothesis

Answer 20

a hypothesis that predicts that a difference/relationship will be found, but does not specify what the difference/relationship will be.

Question 21

Experimental hypothesis?

Answer 21

the name given to a hypothesis when used in field and laboratory experiments.

Question 22

Target population?

Answer 22

the group of people being investigated in a study.

Question 23

Sample?

Answer 23

a selection of the target population that is directly studied in an investigation.

Question 24

Generalisability?

Answer 24

the extent to which the results of a study represent the whole population, not just the sample used.

Question 25

Sampling method?

Answer 25

a technique used to gather a representative group of people as a sample from the target population.

Question 26

Sample error?

Answer 26

when a sample differs in qualities from the target population it intends to represent.

Question 27

Random sampling technique?

Answer 27

a technique used to gather a random sample of participants from the target population.

Question 28

strength of random sampling technique?

Answer 28

A random sampling technique should generate a representative sample as each member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected. This method helps control participant variables that may affect the findings of the whole study.

Question 29

weakness of random sampling technique?

Answer 29

Even if selected at random, however, participants still have to agree to take part in the research. Some may refuse to participate as this is ethically in their rights to do, which can lead to a less representative sample.

Question 30

Stratified sampling technique?

Answer 30

a technique that ensures subgroups of the target population are proportionately represented in a sample.

Question 31

strength of stratified sampling technique?

Answer 31

Stratified sampling is useful if a small subgroup of the target population may be missed by using a random sampling technique, and it ensures that the sample is completely representative as a cross section of a target population.

Question 32

weakness of stratified sampling technique?

Answer 32

-However, it is time-consuming

-people can still refuse to take part. This leads to a sample error, which can lead to invalid conclusions being drawn about the target population, less representative sample.

Question 33

Volunteer sampling technique?

Answer 33

a technique that asks for participants by placing an advert for volunteers.

Question 34

strength of volunteer sampling technique?

Answer 34

-involves minimal effort on the part of researchers in identifying and selecting a sample.

-It is possible to recruit from a target population by placing an advert in a specific location, for example.

-It is also the most ethical sampling method because participants do not have to be asked to participate directly, thus avoiding placing pressure on people to participate.

Question 35

weakness of volunteer sampling technique?

Answer 35

-less representative than random or stratified sampling because not everyone in a target population will see the advert or want to respond.

-It can also lead to a biased sample as volunteers tend to be a particular type of personality or have time and the inclination to participate. This may mean that the findings are unreliable.

Question 36

Opportunity sampling technique?

Answer 36

a technique that recruits participants who are readily available at the time.

Question 37

strength of opportunity sampling technique?

Answer 37

-This is the quickest and simplest sampling technique available to researchers

Question 38

weakness of opportunity sampling technique?

Answer 38

• can lead to a biased sample because not every member of the target population may be around at the time of the study.

-if the study were replicated at a different time of day/week, findings may differ and so may be unreliable.

Question 39

Biased sample?

Answer 39

when the sample recruited is made up of a particular type of person, which may not reflect the target population.