RESEARCH METHODS

Question 1

Types of experiments

Lab experiment

Description, Strengths, Weaknesess

Answer 1

-Conducted in highly controlled environments, and allows the researcher to manipulate one variable (IV) to see the effect on another variable (DV).
-strengths: High control over extraneous variables, more certain of cause and effect, replication possible
-weaknesses: Demand characteristics, artificial tasks given don’t relate to real life

Question 2

Types of experiments

Field experiment

Description, Strengths, Weaknesess

Answer 2

-These occur in ‘real world’ settings. The IV is manipulated by the experimenter and as many other variables as possible are controlled
-strengths: High ecological validity, Fewer demand characteristics
-weaknesses: Low control over extraneous variables so causality is harder to establish

Question 3

Types of experiments

Natural experiment

Description, Strengths, Weaknesses

Answer 3

-When the researcher takes advantage of a pre-existing IV. It’s called natural as the variable would have changed even if the experimenter was not interested.
-strengths: Provide opportunities for research that wouldn’t have taken place before for ethical reasons, High external validity (real life issues)
-weaknesses: Lack of control over extraneous variables, relicability not possible

Question 4

Types of experiments

Quasi experiment

Description, Strengths, Weaknesses

Answer 4

-They have an IV that is based on an existing difference between people (e.g. age/gender). Ppts cannot be randomly assigned to conditions.
-strengths: High ecological validity
-weaknesses: Lack of control over environment and extraneous variables (low internal validity), Not relicable

Question 5

Aim

Answer 5

A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate; the purpose of the study

Question 6

Hypothesis

Answer 6

A clear, precise testable statement that states the relashionship between the variables to be investigated

Question 7

Types of hypotheses

Directional hypothesis

Answer 7

States the direction of difference between variables.
Uses the word “increase/decrease”. Used based on previous research

Question 8

Types of hypotheses

Non-directional hypothesis

Answer 8

Does not state the direction of the difference between variables.
Uses the word “difference”, used if previous findings are limited/contradictory

Question 9

Types of hypotheses

Null hypothesis

Answer 9

States “there will be no difference” between the conditions.
It states that any differences are purely due to chance

Question 10

Experimental designs

Independent groups

Description, Strengths, Weaknesses

Answer 10

Different groups experience different conditions of an experiment.
-strengths: no order effects, fewer demand characteristics
-weaknesses: more ppts required, ppts not the same in terms of ppt variables

Question 11

Experimental design

Repeated measures

Description, Strengths, Weaknesses

Answer 11

All ppts experience all conditions of an experiment
-strengths: ppt variables controlled, fewer subjects required(more economical)
-weaknesses: order effects, demand characteristics may be a problem as ppt does both conditions

Question 12

Experimental designs

Matched pairs

Description, Strengths, Weaknesses

Answer 12

Ppts are paired together on a variable that may affect the DV. one member assigned to one condition and other completes the diff condition
-strengths: subject variables kept constant
-weaknesses: matching is time-consuming, can never be perfectly matched, more ppts required

Question 13

Types of studies

Pilot study

Answer 13

A trial run of the actual investigation. Normally involves a few participants in order to check the procedure, instructions, questions and extraneous variables.

Question 14

Types of studies

Single blind study

Answer 14

A procedure in which the ppts are not informed of the research aim or hypothesis to reduce demand characteristics

Question 15

Types of studies

Double blind study

Answer 15

A procedure where neither the participants nor the experimenter know the precise aims of the study. This reduces investigator effects and demand characteristics.

Question 16

VARIABLES

IV, DV, CV

Define

Answer 16

IV- The variable that is manipulated in an experiment
DV- The variable that is measured in an experiment
CV- Variables that are kept the same across conditions in an experiment

Question 17

VARIABLES

Extraneous

define and examples

Answer 17

Any variable other than the IV that may have an affect on the DV if not controlled.
E.g. intelligence level, age, gender, lighting, noise, time of day

Question 18

VARIABLES

Confounding

Define

Answer 18

Uncontrolled extraneous variables that negatively affect the results

Question 19

Randomisation

Answer 19

The use of chance to control the effects of bias

Question 20

Random allocation

Answer 20

Assuring ppts have equal chance of being in any condition of an experiment. Attempts to evenly distribute ppt characteristics across the condtions of an experiment

Question 21

Order effects

Answer 21

When the order in which tasks are completed affect the study’s results, either through practice or boredom

Question 22

Counterbalancing

Answer 22

Ensuring that each condition of an experiment occurs first, and second, in equal measure to reduce possible order effects

Question 23

Standardisation

Answer 23

Using exactly the same procedures and instructions for all ppts in the experiment

Question 24

Investigator effects

Answer 24

Any effect of the investigators behaviour on the research outcome (DV)

Question 25

Demand characteristics

Answer 25

Any cue from the researcher or situation that may reveal the aim of the investigation to the ppts. This may lead to the ppt changing their behaviour

Question 26

# Observations Observation

Answer 26

A (non-experimental) research method where an observer watches and records behaviours.

Question 27

# Observations What are observational techniques?

Answer 27

Types of observations (naturalistic & controlled, overt & covert, participant & non-participant)

Question 28

# Observations Naturalistic | Define, Strenghts, Weaknesses

Answer 28

-Takes place in a setting or context where the behaviour would naturally occur, and all aspects of th environment are free to vary. -strenghts: High ecological validity, High external validity -weaknesses: Lack of control over extraneous variables, replication not possible, Low reliability

Question 29

# Observations Controlled

Answer 29

Takes place in a more structured environment, where it is possible to manipulate variables an control extraneous variables. -strengths: High relability, researchers can manipulate variables, replicability is easy -weaknesses: Low ecological validity, restricted environment may overlook the context in which the behaviour typically occurs

Question 30

# Observations Covert

Answer 30

Occurs when participants are not aware that they are being studied, and have not provided consent. The behaviour being observed must be PUBLIC. -strengths: Removes participant reactivity, reduces demand characteristics, increases validity of data -weaknesses: ethical concerns ( no right to withdraw as they arent aware of the study, privacy, no consent)

Question 31

# Observations Overt

Answer 31

Occurs when participants are aware that they are being studied and have provided informed consent beforehand -strengths: maintains ethical transparency, researchers can ask questions to get a richer understanding of the context -weaknesses: demand characteristics, observer effect

Question 32

# Observations Participant

Answer 32

Happens when the researcher joins the group/individual being observed an participates in their behaviour -strenghts: High validity of findings, Data gathered is rich/detailed -weaknesses: can lead to bias )researchers involvement may influence their observations and interpretations), ethical concerns

Question 33

# Observations Non-participant

Answer 33

Happens when the researcher remains seperate from those they are studying, and records from a short distance. -strengths: Greater objectivity, reduces bias -weaknesses: observer might miss critical emotional context, observer bias can still be a factor

Question 34

independent groups

Answer 34

different groups of ppts experience different conditions of an experiment strengths- no order effects, reduced demand characteristics weaknesses- more ppts required, ppts are not the same in terms of ppt variables

Question 35

repeated measures

Answer 35

all ppts experience all conditions of an experiment strengths- ppt variables are controlled, more economical as fewer ppts needed weaknesses- order effects, demand characteristics

Question 36

matched pairs

Answer 36

ppts are paired based on variables that may affect the DV. one ppt is assigned to one condition and the other ppt is assigned to another condition strengths- weaknesses- time consuming, more ppts required

Question 37

Internal validity

Answer 37

how accurately a test/measuring instrument measures what it says it measures

Question 38

External validity

Answer 38

Factors outside of the investigation, e.g. generalising to other settings, populations and eras

Question 39

Ecological validity

Answer 39

The extent to which research findings can be generalised to other settings and situations

Question 40

Temporal validity

Answer 40

Whether findings from a study, or concepts within a theory, hold true over time.

Question 41

Population validity

Answer 41

Whether findings from one group studied, can be applied or generalised to a wider population.

Question 42

Face validity

Answer 42

Whether a test, scale or measure matches its aims. This can be checked by an expert.

Question 43

# Observations Name the 6 observational techniques

Answer 43

* Naturalistic and controlled * Covert and overt * Participant and non-participant

Question 44

# Observations Name the 3 observational designs

Answer 44

* Behavioural categories * Time sampling * Event sampling

Question 45

# Observations Unstructured observation | What is it and what data does it produce

Answer 45

* Observer writes down everything they see, providing lots of rich detail * Qualitative data

Question 46

# Observations Structured observation | What is it and what data does it produce

Answer 46

* Use of predetermined behaviour categories and sampling methods * Quantitative data

Question 47

# Observations Behavioural categories

Answer 47

When the target behaviour is broken down into a set of clearly observable behavioural categories which can be recorded by the observer. All possible forms of the target behaviour should be included in the checklist

Question 48

# Observations Time sampling

Answer 48

Recording behaviour within a pre-established time frame. E.g. note what one player is doing every 60 seconds

Question 49

# Observations Event sampling

Answer 49

Counting the number of times a particular behaviour occurs in a target individual or group E.g. number of times a player disagrees with the referee at a football match during the whole game

Question 50

# Observations How to check for reliability

Answer 50

* Observers should familiarize themselves with the behavioural categories * Conduct a pilot study to check for any issues with the observational design * Observers should then observe the behaviour independently at the same time * Observers analyse the data and inter observer reliability is calculated by correlating their results and conducting statistical tests