Research Methods

Question 1

Independent variable

Answer 1

variable changed by experimenter, interested in its effect (effect of IV on DV)

Question 2

Dependent variable

Answer 2

variable measured, measured effects of IV

Question 3

Extraneous variable

Answer 3

anything affecting DV that it isn’t IV

Question 4

Confounding variable

Answer 4

uncontrolled variable that acts systematically on one level of IV/exaggerating the difference and confusing results, difficult to understand effect of IV over DV

Question 5

Control condition

Answer 5

IV not present (base level comparing experimental condition

Question 6

experimental condition

Answer 6

IV present (testing effect of IV on DV)

Question 7

Lab experiment

Answer 7

experiment in artificial environment, high degree of control

Question 8

Field experiment

Answer 8

experiment in natural environment, IV manipulated (controlled)

Question 9

Natural experiment

Answer 9

experiment in natural environment, IV not manipulated, observes and use information produced by natural circumstance

Question 10

Independent measures design

Answer 10

experimental design in which different groups of participants used for each level of IV(condition)

Question 11

Repeated measures design

Answer 11

experimental design each participant performing in every level of IV

Question 12

Matched participants design

Answer 12

experimental design participants arranged in pairs, each similar in ways that are important to study, one member of pair performs different level of IV

Question 13

Standardisation

Answer 13

keeping procedure for each participant in studyexactly same to ensure any differences between participants/conditions are due to variables under investigation than difference in the way treated

Question 14

Reliability

Answer 14

extent to which procedure/task/measure consistent

Question 15

Internal Validity

Answer 15

extent to which piece of evidence supports a claim about cause + effect, within the context of particular study

Question 16

External Valiidity

Answer 16

validity of applying conclusions of scientific study outside context of that study

Question 17

Ecological Validity

Answer 17

extent to findings in one situation would generalise others, influenced whther the situation represents the real world effectively/relevant to real life

Question 18

Generalisability

Answer 18

can findings be applied more widely?

Question 19

Mundane Realism

Answer 19

is the task relevant to real life, or artificial and therefore participants treat it so?

Question 20

Self-report

Answer 20

research method (ex. questionnair/interview) obtaining data by asking participants to provide information about themselves

Question 21

Questionnaire

Answer 21

self-report research method using written question through paper+pencil or online

Question 22

Closed question

Answer 22

questions producing quantitative data, have few, stated alternative responses, no opportunity to expand on answers (fixed answers)

Question 23

Open question

Answer 23

question producing qualitative data, participants giving full and detailed answers in their own words (no categories/words given)

Question 24

Inter-rater reliability

Answer 24

extent to two researchers interpreting qualitative responses will produce same records from same raw data

Question 25

Social desirability bias

Answer 25

trying to present oneself in best light by determining what task requires

Question 26

Filler questions

Answer 26

items to disguise the aim of the study by hiding important questions among irrelevant ones for participants to less likely work out aims and alter behaviour

Question 27

Interview

Answer 27

research method with verbal questions directly, face to face or telephone

Question 28

Structured interview

Answer 28

interview using fixed order of questions (script), might require interviewer's posture, voice, etc. for standardisation

Question 29

Unstructured interview

Answer 29

interview with most questions depend on respondent's answers (topics might given)

Question 30

Subjectivity

Answer 30

effect of individual's personal viewpoint, interpretation can differ, biased by feelings, beliefs, experiences

Question 31

Objectivity

Answer 31

impact of unbiased external viewpoint, not affected by individual's feelings, beliefs, experiences

Question 32

Naturalistic observations

Answer 32

study watching participants' behaviour in their normal environment without interference from researchers in social/physical environment

Question 33

Controlled observation

Answer 33

study watching participants' behaviour in manipulated situation (social, physical) could be normal/artificial

Question 34

Structured observation

Answer 34

study that observer records limited range of behaviours

Question 35

Unstructured observation

Answer 35

study that observer records whole range of possible behaviours, usually confined to pilot stage at beginning of study to refine behavioural categories

Question 36

Behavioural categories

Answer 36

activities recorded, should be operationalised (clearly defined), break continuous stream of activity into decrete recordable events, observable actions

Question 37

Participant observer

Answer 37

researcher watching in part of social setting

Question 38

Non-participant observer

Answer 38

researcher not involved in situation studies

Question 39

Overt observer

Answer 39

role of observer obvious to participants

Question 40

Covert observer

Answer 40

role of observer hidden/not obvious

Question 41

Hypothesis

Answer 41

testable statement based on aims of investigation

Question 42

Alternative hypothesis

Answer 42

testable statement predicting difference between levels of IV

Question 43

Non directional (two-tailed) hypothesis

Answer 43

statement predicting difference (only one variable will be related to another) (no direction)

Question 44

Directional (one-tailed) hypothesis

Answer 44

predicts one variable will be related to another in particular direction

Question 45

Null hypothesis

Answer 45

predicts any difference/correlation in results is due to chance

Question 46

Population

Answer 46

everyone in target group

Question 47

Sample

Answer 47

part of target, representative of population

Question 48

Sampling technique

Answer 48

method to obtain participants for study

Question 49

Opportunity sampling

Answer 49

participants chosen since available

Question 50

Volunteer (self-selected) sample

Answer 50

participants invited to participate and choose to

Question 51

Random sample

Answer 51

all members are population equally able to be selected (unbiased)

Question 52

Qualitative

Answer 52

descriptive, in-depth results showing 'quality'

Question 53

Quantitative

Answer 53

numerical results

Question 54

Single blind study

Answer 54

participants don't know if they're in control/experimental group

Question 55

Double blind study

Answer 55

neither participants/experimenter/s don't know control of the group