research methods Flashcards
(30 cards)
what is a aim?
a general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate, the purpose of the study
what is a hypothesis?
a clear precise testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated.
what is a directional hypothesis?
states a direction of the difference in relationship
eg: there is a difference between… and/or….
what is a non directional hypothesis?
does not state the direction in difference in relationship
what are independent groups?
participants take part in one condition of the experiment
what is a weakness of independent groups?
what is a strength of independent groups?
participant variables not controlled by researcher (researcher bias)
reduces order effect
less likely to guess the aim
what are repeated measure design?
all participants take part in all conditions
what are strengths of the repeated measures design?
deal with order effects counterbalancing can be used
what are the weaknesses of repeated measure design?
order effects from repeating two conditions can lead to boredom causing deterioration in performance
what is the matched paired design?
similar participants are paired together based on participant variables based on the experiment
what are the strengths of the matched paired design?
no order effects
what are the weaknesses of the matched paired design?
cannot match participants exactly
time consuming
similar participants are paired together based on participant variables based on the experiment
what are laboratory experiments?
an experiments conducted in highly controlled environments in which the researcher manipulate the iv and records the dv with a strict control of extraneous variables
what are strengths of laboratory experiments?
-high control of extraneous and confounding variables
-high level of control = easy replication
what are weaknesses of laboratory experiment?
-low external validity (generalisability and mundane realism)
-low internal validity (demand characteristics)
what are field experiments?
iv is manipulated in a natural setting. researcher goes to the participants
what are strengths of field experiments?
- high external validity (more authentic natural behaviours)
what are weaknesses of field experiments?
- lower internal validity (less control)
- ethical issues (unable to gain consent prior)
what are natural experiments?
iv changes naturally. dv/setting may be natural or in a lab.
what are strengths of the matched paired design?
no order effects
what are strengths of natural experiments?
- only option for ethical/practical issues
- high external validity (real world problems)
what are the weaknesses of natural experiments?
- limited opportunities for research
- no random allocation(cv)
- low mundane realism in a lab
- no manipulation of the iv (cant claim a cause and effect)
