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psychology > research methods > Flashcards

research methods Flashcards

1
Q

explain what is meant by an ‘aim’

A

general statement which describes the purpose of an investigation

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2
Q

explain what is meant by a hypothesis

A

statement which is made at the start of a study and clearly describes the relationship between the variables

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3
Q

explain what is meant by an IV

A

independent variable

the factor that changes

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4
Q

explain what is meant by a DV

A

dependent variable

factor that is being measured

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5
Q

explain what is meant by operationalisation

A

ensuring the variables are measurable

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6
Q

explain the difference between a directional hypothesis and a non-directional hypothesis

A

a directional hypothesis shows the expected difference between the two variables which is anticipated

(often used when there is previous research/theories suggesting a specific outcome)

a non-directional hypothesis demonstrates there is a link between the variables expected but does not state the nature of this difference

(often used when there is little previous research/the research is contradictory)

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7
Q

what are confounding variables?

A

a type of extraneous variable which differs systematically with the independent variable

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8
Q

what is an extraneous variable?

A

a variable which is not being investigated in the study which has the potential to affect the outcome

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9
Q

what are demand characteristics?

A

characteristics as a result of the participants trying to make sense of the study and act accordingly to support the aim of the research

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10
Q

explain what is meant by investigator effects

A

any unwanted influence of the researcher on the research outcome

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11
Q

explain what is meant by randomisation

A

use of chance methods to reduce researcher’s unconscious bias

minimises CVs and EVs

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12
Q

explain what is meant by standardisation

A

participants should be subject to same environment/information/experience

all procedures are standardised

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13
Q

explain ‘independent group design’

A

two separate groups of participants experience two separate conditions in the experiment

(often a control condition group and an experimental condition group)

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14
Q

explain ‘repeated measures’

A

all participants experience both conditions
a mean is taken from both and can be compared

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15
Q

explain ‘matched pairs’

A

participants are paired together based on a variable relevant to the experiment
(eg IQ or memory test)

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16
Q

pros and cons of laboratory experiment

A

+ high controls over variables (CV and EV)
+ replication possible - ensures validity

  • lack generalisability, artificial environment may change natural behaviour
  • low mundane realism
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17
Q

pros and cons of field experiments

A

+ high mundane realism, natural behaviour
+high external validity (may be unaware they’re being studied)

-loss of control of CVs and EVs
-lack of precision
-ethical issues (lack of consent?)

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18
Q

pros and cons of natural experiments

A

+ provide opportunity for research which may not have been done due to practical/ethical reasons

+ high external validity

-naturally occurring event doesn’t happen often- not a lot of opportunity for research

  • participants may not be randomly allocated to experimental conditions
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19
Q

pros and cons of quasi experiments

A

+ controlled conditions, replication possible
- can not randomly allocate participants to conditions, may be confounding variables

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20
Q

describe a laboratory experiment set up

A

highly controlled conditions, in a lab or classroom

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21
Q

describe a field experiment set up

A

takes place in a natural everyday setting

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22
Q

describe a natural experiment set up

A

a natural event, researcher has no control over IV

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23
Q

describe a quasi experiment set up

A

IV is based on pre-existing differences between people (gender/age)

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24
Q

explain ‘random sampling’ and pros/cons

A

all members of the target population have an equal opportunity of being selected (lottery method)

+unbiased
+variables equally divided between groups

-time consuming
-difficult to obtain population list

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25
Q

explain ‘systematic sampling’ and pros/cons

A

every nth number of target population is selected and sampling frame is produced

+objective once frame is produced, researcher has no influence

-time consuming
-refusal can mean it is not representative

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26
Q

explain ‘stratified sampling’ and pros/cons

A

composition of sample represents proportions of people in certain subgroups.
the different ‘strata’ which make up a population are identified

+produces representative sample
-identified strata can no represent entire population

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27
Q

explain ‘opportunity sampling’ and pros/cons

A

takes a chance of whoever is around

+cheaper and quicker

  • unrepresentative
    -researcher controls who they select- bias
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28
Q

explain ‘volunteer sampling’ and pros/cons

A

participants select themselves (self-selection)

+cheaper and quicker
+participants are engaged

-volunteer bias attracts certain profile of people (not representative of all)

29
Q

explain how the need for informed consent can be dealt with

make participants aware of the a…
explain their r… t.. w…
explain how their d… will be used

what is a con of this?

A

making participants aware of the aim of research

explaining their right to withdraw

explain how their data will be used

(con: may affect their natural behaviour)

30
Q

explain what is meant by ‘deception’

A

deliberately lying or withholding information

31
Q

explain what is meant by ‘protection from harm’

A

participants should not be placed in any more risk than their everyday lives

protected from physical and psychological harm

32
Q

what does BPS stand for?

A

The British Psychological Society

33
Q

explain ‘presumptive consent’

A

similar group of people are asked if the study is acceptable, consent is ‘presumed’

34
Q

explain ‘prior general consent’

A

participants give consent to take part in a number of different studies, including one that included deception

35
Q

explain ‘retrospective consent’

A

ask for consent during debriefing, the study has already taken place

36
Q

explain what a ‘pilot study’ is and what the aim is

A

a pilot study is a small-scale investigation which takes place before the real investigation

aim is to allow researcher to make modifications to the experiment if necessary

37
Q

explain ‘single-blind procedure’

A

any information which ay create expectations is not revealed until the end of the study

controls demand characteristics

38
Q

explain ‘double-blind procedure’

A

neither participant nor researcher (who is conducting the investigation) is aware of the aims

researcher can not influence participants behaviour

39
Q

pros and cons of naturalistic observations

A

+ high external validity (natural environment so more likely natural behaviour)

-lack of control, replication is difficult

40
Q

pros and cons of covert observations

A

+participants are unaware they are the focus of the study, removes demand characteristics

-ethical?

41
Q

pros and cons of overt observations

A

+participants have given consent beforehand

-participants know they are being observed- demand characteristics

42
Q

pros and cons of participant observations

A

+observer becomes part of the group, so increased insight

-researcher may get close and lose objectivity

43
Q

pros and cons of non-participant observation

A

+ maintain objectivity
-lose valuable insight

44
Q

describe ‘unstructured observation’ and pros/cons

A

write down everything, produces detailed report

+more detail
-qualitative, open to interpretation/bias

45
Q

describe ‘structured observation’ and pros/cons

A

simplify target behaviours by behavioural categories

+organised and systematic
+quantative date, easily compared

-may miss out info

46
Q

explain ‘event sampling’ and pros/cons

A

counting number of times a certain behaviour/’event’ occurs

+good when event happens irregularly (and may be missed by time)

-observer may overlook important details

47
Q

explain ‘time sampling’ and pros/cons

A

recording a behaviour within a pre-established time frame

+reduces number of observations that have to be made

  • may be unrepresentative
48
Q

pros and cons of questionnaires

A

+cost effective
+lots of data quickly
+researcher does not have to present
+produces straightforward data

  • not always truthful responses
    -demand characteristics
    -respond quickly
    -acquiescence bias (agreeing anyway)
49
Q

explain the difference between an open and a closed question

A

open- no fixed range of answers, produces qualitative data

closed-offers number of fixed responses, produces quantative data

50
Q

pros and cons of a structured interview

A

+easy to replicate

-can’t deviate, limits richness of data collected

51
Q

pros and cons of an un-structured interview

A

+gain insight
-interviewer bias
-have to sift through irrelevant information

52
Q

explain what a ‘likert scale’ is

A

a number scale based on the strength of agreement

53
Q

how can you control interviewer bias?

A

standardisation of questions

54
Q

what does a correlation do?

A

demonstrates direction and strength of association between two co-variables

55
Q

what is the difference between a correlation and an experiment?

A

experiment, researcher manipulates IV whereas correlation there is no manipulation so cause and effect can not be established

56
Q

pros and cons of a correlation

A

+provides quantifiable measure of how two variables are related
+starting point to assess possible patterns
+quick and economical

-tell us relationship but not why
-no controls, unsure which variable is causing correlation

57
Q

explain qualitative data and pros/cons

A

expressed in words (eg transcript from interview)

+allows expression of all thoughts on topic
+greater richness of detail

-difficult to analyse and compare
-conclusions often rely on subjective interpretations

58
Q

explain quantative data and pros/cons

A

expressed numerically (can be translated into graphs/charts)

+simple to analyse, comparisons can be made

-narrower in meaning/detail- may not be representative of ‘real life’

59
Q

explain primary data and pros/cons

A

original data collected specifically for that investigation

+designed to target specific information needed
-time and effort

60
Q

explain secondary data and pros/cons

A

data that already exists

+easy to access
+inexpensive
-variation in quality (out of date/incomplete)

61
Q

explain what meta-analysis is and pros/cons

A

uses secondary data
number of studies that had same aim/hypothesis are pooled together to form collective conclusion

+larger, more varied sample
+results can be generalised across larger populations
+increases validity

-publication bias (researcher may leave out relevant studies)

62
Q

explain what is meant by peer review

A

all aspects of the written investigation are analysed by experts - reviewer should be objective and unknow from researcher

63
Q

what are the aims of peer review?

A

to allocate funding
validate researcher (quality and relevance)
suggest amendments and improvements

64
Q

explain these evaluations of peer review:

anonymity

publication bias

burying research

A

anonymity
+ gives more honest appraisal
-may criticise rival researchers for funding

publication bias
-want to publish positive results so leave put relevant info

burying information
-reviewers likely to agree with info that supports their own conclusions

-may slow down rate of change within specific scientific discipline

65
Q

explain how attachment research into the role of the father has affected the economy

A

proven a child can have a meaningful connection to father

mother and father can share emotional role

better equipped to maximise their income and contribute more effectively to the economy as both parents can [lay emotional support role to child

66
Q

explain how the development of treatment for mental disorders has affected the economy

A

many people with mental disorders are able to maintain their condition and return to work, producing healthy workforce

67
Q

What did John Bowly suggest?

A

a child can only ever form a secure and lasting bond with its mother

68
Q

explain the difference between privacy and confidentiality

when may confidentiality be difficult?

when may privacy be difficult?

A

privacy concerns people whereas confidentiality concerns data

confidentiality may be difficult when details of a study may lead to participant identification

privacy may be difficult when personal info may be valuable for a study, for example in covert observation

69
Q

what is counterbalancing?

A

Counterbalancing is a technique used to deal with order effects when using a repeated measures design.

sample is divided in half, with one half completing the two conditions in one order and the other half completing the conditions in the reverse order.

psychology (7 decks)

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