RESEARCH METHODS Flashcards
Name the 3 main types of experiment
LABORATORY
FIELD
NATURAL
Why are experiments particularly useful in testing theories?
They are able to identify a CAUSE & EFFECT.
Theories are claims about cause & effect.
What are extraneous variables?
They are variables that INTERFERE with how the IV affects the DV.
What is it called when an extraneous variable actually has an effect ?
It is knows as a CONFOUNDING VARIABLE.
What is standardising an experiment?
Standardising the processes in an experiment is making them the SAME for EVERYONE (apart from the IV) to avoid confounding variables.
Name the 5 main non-experimental methods
SELF-REPORT MEASURES CORRELATIONAL STUDIES OBSERVATIONS CASE STUDIES CONTENT ANALYSIS
What does it mean if a difference is being tested in an experiment?
Trying to identify whether or not one set of scores differs from another e.g is it higher?
What does it mean if a correlation is being tested in an experiment?
Is trying to find a relationship between an IV and a DV (CO-VARIABLES)
Give 3 different experimental designs
INDEPENDENT GROUPS
REPEATED MEASURES
MATCHED PAIR
Describe independent group design
Different participants in each condition
Describe repeated measures design
Same participants used in each condition
Describe matched pairs design
Each participant is paired with someone similar in the other condition
Give an issue that occurs when using independent groups design
There may be INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES between participants that affect the results
Give an issue that occurs when using repeated measures design
There may be ORDER EFFECTS.
What are order effects?
When taking part in the first condition effects what happens in the second condition. e.g fatigue or practice effects
What are demand characteristics?
This is when the participants try to guess the hypothesis or try to get the correct answer in order to please the researcher.
What is counterbalancing?
All participants go through both conditions but half go through condition 1 then condition 2 and the other half go through condition 2 first and then condition 1.
How does using counterbalancing help remove order effects?
Using counterbalancing means that the ORDER EFFECTS should CANCEL EACH OTHER OUT
What is randomisation?
When there are a series of tasks for the participants to complete the they can be mixed so that the participant is always switching between conditions.
Describe the matched pairs design
In this design matched pairs are created by the researcher based on similar qualities of the participants. One of the pair goes through 1 of the conditions and the other goes through another condition.
Why would matched pairs be used?
This design avoids order effects and minimises individual differences.
Why would matched pairs not be used?
It is expensive and time consuming to match participants.
What is a 1 tailed hypothesis?
One tailed gives a precise answer, e.g this will happen.
What is a 2 tailed hypothesis?
Two tailed just simply states there will be a difference e.g will have an effect
