Research Methods

Question 1

What is the definition of an Aim

Answer 1

An idea of what the study is trying to achieve

Question 2

What is the definition of a hypothesis?

Answer 2

A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.

Question 3

What is the definition of a non directional hypothesis

Answer 3

Non directional hypothesis states that there is a difference between two conditions but doesnt state the direction of the difference

Question 4

What is the definition of a directional hypothesis

Answer 4

Directional hypothesis states the expected direction of the result

Question 5

What is the definiton of the alternative/experimental hypothesis

Answer 5

Alternative/experimental hypothesis states that there is a relationship between two variables

Question 6

What is the definition of a null hypothesis

Answer 6

A null hypothesis states that there is no effect or relationship between variables.

Question 7

What is the definition of an independent variable

Answer 7

An independent variable is the variable that changes

Question 8

What is the definition of a dependent variable

Answer 8

A dependent variable is the variable the researcher measures to see if the IV is affected by it

Question 9

What is a confounding variable?

Answer 9

An extraneous variable that can affect the dependent variable, leading to biased results.

Question 10

Outline what it is meant by demand characteristics

Answer 10

When the participants try to make sense of the research/discover the aim and act accordingly to support the aim of the research

Question 11

Outline what it is meant by an extraneous variable

Answer 11

‘Nuisance’ variables that do not vary systematically with the IV and can often be controlled before the experiment begins.

Question 12

Outline what it is meant by an confoundling variable

Answer 12

Variables that do vary systematically with the IV so we cannot be sure what caused the change in the DV.

Question 13

Expalin what it is meant by standardisation

Answer 13

Making sure that all participants are subject to the same instructions and experience.

Question 14

Expalin what it is meant by randomisation

Answer 14

The use of chance to reduce the effects of the researcher’s unconscious biases when designing an investigation.

Question 15

What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?

Answer 15

To provide a baseline for comparison against the experimental group.

Question 16

What does operationalization refer to in research?

Answer 16

The process of defining variables in practical, measurable terms.

Question 17

What is a questionnaire?

Answer 17

A set of written questions used to gather information from respondents.

Question 18

What is a longitudinal study?

Answer 18

A research design that involves repeated observations of the same variables over long periods.

Question 19

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research?

Answer 19

Qualitative research focuses on understanding experiences and meanings, while quantitative research focuses on numerical data and statistics.

Question 20

What does the term ‘validity’ refer to in research?

Answer 20

The extent to which a study measures what it claims to measure.

Question 21

Outline what is meant by investigator effects and explain why it is important to control these within an investigation. (4 marks)

Answer 21

Investigator effects are things such as encouragement from investigator, leading questions or things such as unconscious cues, all which have an influence on how the participant reacts in response to the actions of the investigator. It is important to control for these otherwise all experiments would be in support of the investigator’s hypothesis and therefore there would be no truth within the investigation.

Question 22

What does the term ‘reliability’ refer to in research?

Answer 22

The consistency of a measure across time and different contexts.

Question 23

What is an experimental design?

Answer 23

A research method that manipulates one variable to determine its effect on another variable.

Question 24

Explain what repeated measures are

Answer 24

When the same participant takes part in both conditions

Question 25

Identify the limitations of repeated measure

Answer 25

1) Gives participants practice on the task (order effects is a confoundling variable) 2) Makes pps bored or tierd 3) Allows them to work out the aim, all of which affects the DV measurements (demand characteristics)

Question 26

Explain the solution of repeated measures

Answer 26

Counterbalancing - ensures that each condition in a repeated measures design is teste first or second in equal amounts

Question 27

Explain what inderpendent group design is

Answer 27

An experimental design in which pps are different in each condition - pps are split into two groups, one group participates in one condition and the other group the other condition

Question 28

Identify the limitations of inderpendent groups design

Answer 28

Different participants need to be recruited for each condition, which can be difficult and expensive. There is a risk of participant variables (individual differences between participants) affecting the results between conditions, rather than solely manipulation of the independent variable.

Question 29

What is the solution to inderpendent groups design

Answer 29

Randomly allocate pps to conditions which distributes pps varibles evenly

Question 30

Explain the experimental design: matched pairs

Answer 30

Matched pairs design is an experimental design where pairs of participants are matched in terms of key variables, such as age and IQ.

Question 31

Identify the limitations of matched pairs design

Answer 31

1. Time consuming 2. An exact match is rarely possible 3. It is not possible to control all participants variables

Question 32

What is the solution to matched pairs design

Answer 32

* Resrict the number of variables to match on to make it easier * conduct a pilot study to consider key variables

Question 33

Identify two different types of experiments

Answer 33

* Laboratory experiments * Field experiments * Natural experiments * Quasi experiments

Question 34

Explain what it is meant by laboratory experiments

Answer 34

Laboratory experiments are a research method by which researchers create controllable environments this type of experiment allows researchers to manipulate the independent variable(s) and control for extraneous variables that might affect the results.

Question 35

Explain one strength and one limitation of a laboratory experiment

Answer 35

**limitation ** Lack of External Validity - External validity refers to the extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to other situations and to other people. Laboratory settings are often artificial and may not accurately reflect real-world conditions, which can limit the generalizability of the findings **Strength** Control Over Variables - In a laboratory experiment, the researcher has complete control over the variables. This allows for precise manipulation of the independent variable and careful measurement of the dependent variable. This is improtant because you can establishing cause and effect relationships. Because the researcher controls the independent variable, they can be confident that any changes in the dependent variable are caused by the manipulation of the independent variable.

Question 36

Explain what it is meant by field experiment

Answer 36

Field experiments are a research method carried out in natural conditions, manipulate IV to find effect on DV, observes more natural behaviour

Question 37

Explain one strength and one weakness of a field experiment

Answer 37

**Strength****** Due to its natural conditions it has a high ecological value meanings its more applicable in real life this is important because it means the experiment is more reliable **Weakness** Due to its more natural conditions it means theres less control over extrenous variables and they may influence the outcomes of your study, and you may not be able to demonstrate that your results are really an effect of your independent variable. This is important because it decreases the validity of your study

Question 38

Explain what it is meant by a natural experiment

Answer 38

Natural experiments examines existing IV and doesn't manipulate anything as it is naturally occurring such as flood or earthquake and effect on people'sbehaviour before and after.

Question 39

Explain one strength and one weakness of a natural experiment

Answer 39

**Strength** Has a high external validity - Natural experiments enables psychologists to study real life probles such as effects of a disaster on health which increases its ecological validity there fore it can be generalisable irl situation **Weakness** 1) Cannot demonstrate a causal relationship - because the IV is not directly manipulated = less control over extraneus variables therefore less accurate measure of IV on DV 2) A naturally occuring event is rare to find + study = less opportunities to repeating the research +generalise findings = decrease external validity

Question 40

Explain what it is meant by a quasi experiment

Answer 40

Quasi experiment have an IV that is based on an existing difference between people (Eg - age or gender). No one manipulates the variable, it simply exists

Question 41

Explain one strength and one weakness of a Quasi experiment

Answer 41

**Strength** 1) Share the same stregths as labs as they are also controlled 2) Allows comparisions between different types of people **Weakness** 1) Cannot randomly allocate participants to conditions because of bias - confounding variables 2) ppl may be aware their being studied (demand characteristics)

Question 42

Explain the difference between a field experiment and a natural experiment

Answer 42

In a field experiment, the IV is manipulated by the researcher within a natural setting, however in a natural experiment, the experiment does not manipulate an IV, instead they take advantage of a pre-existing IV. In a natural experiment, the IV is the thing that's natural, it could be within a laboratory setting. E.g. A test of difference in gender within a lab setting.v

Question 43

Explain what is meant by random sampling. (3 marks)

Answer 43

Every member of the target population is identified and the sample is randomly selected.

Question 44

Explain what it is meant by opportunity sampling

Answer 44

Selecting participants who are available and willing to take part.

Question 45

Explain what it is meant by volenteer sampling

Answer 45

Volenteer sampling involves participants selecting themselves to be apart of the sample; may place an advert for willing participants

Question 46

Explain what it is meant by stratified sampling

Answer 46

Division of a population into smaller sun groups ccalled sratas in a target population

Question 47

Explain what it is meant by systematic sampling

Answer 47

Where every nth member of a target population is selected

Question 48

Explain what is it meant by snowball sampling

Answer 48

Snowball sampling, also known as chain-referral sampling, is a non-probability sampling method where currently enrolled research participants help recruit future subjects for a stu

Question 49

Explain the limitations and strengths of random sampling

Answer 49

**Limitations** Difficult and time consuming to get the full details of the target population. People that are selected may be unwilling to take part **Strengths** Likely to be representative so can be generalised to the target population.

Question 50

Explain the limitations and strengths of opportunity sampling

Answer 50

**Strength** Quicker and easier to obtain, in comparison to other methods. **Weakness** High chance that sample will be biased, e.g. often use available university students, who are not representative of the target population.

Question 51

Explain the limitations and strengths of volenteer sampling

Answer 51

**Strengths** Quicker and easier to obtain, in comparison to other methods. **Weakness** A particular type of person is likely to take part in research (and also only those who see the advert). Therefore, the sample is likely to be biased

Question 52

Explain the limitations and strengths of stratified sampling

Answer 52

**Strengths** Likely to be representative as each subsection of the target population is proportionally represented, so results can be generalised to the wider population with more confidence that they apply. **Weakness** Difficult and time consuming to identify subgroups. People that are selected may be unwilling to take part.

Question 53

Explain the limitations and strengths of systematic sampling

Answer 53

**Strength** Not subject to researcher bias as a numerical value is assigned to each person on a given list and then selected according to their Nth position; without any personal preference from the researcher. **Weakness** Not truly unbiased as every Nth person selected may have a similar trait in common and therefore will not be representative of the wider population

Question 54

Explain the limitations and strengths of snowball sampling

Answer 54

**Strength** Enables access to hidden populations Avoids risk Saves money and time # **Weakness** Bias Not always representative