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Research methods Flashcards

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1
Q

what is an experimental method?

A

an experimental method involves the manipulation of an independent variable to measure the effect on the dependent variable.

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2
Q

what is a hypothesis?

A

a clear, precise testable statement that states the states the relationship between variables.

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3
Q

what is a directional hypothesis?

A

states the direction of the difference or relationship

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4
Q

what is a non directional hypothesis?

A

does not state the direction of difference or relationship

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5
Q

what is operationalisation?

A

clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured

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6
Q

what is an extraneous variable?

A

any variable, other than the IV and CV that may affect the DV.

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7
Q

what are demand characteristics?

A

Any effect of the researchers behaviour which may have an effect on the results.

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8
Q

what is randomisation?

A

the use of chance methods which will reduce the effect of any bias

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9
Q

what is standardisation

A

using the same formalised procedure and instruction for all participants in a research study.

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10
Q

what are independent groups?

A

participants are allocated groups where each group take part in all condition of the experiment.

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11
Q

Evaluate Independent Groups

A

-if a mean is found, may be due to participant variables which have not been controlled.
-less economic as everyone has to do every experiment.
+order effects are controlled as ppts don’t have to repeat anything,
+PPTS less likely to figure out the aims

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12
Q

what are repeated measures?

A

all participants take part in all conditions of the experiment.

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13
Q

evaluate repeated measures.

A

+PPT variables are controlled, therefore higher validity.
+fewer PPTS needed, so less economic and will take less time.

-order effects due to waiting times
-more likely to figure out the aim of the experiment, therefore more likely to show demand characteristics

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14
Q

what is a matched pair design?

A

participants are matched dependent on a variable which may affect the DV. One person then is assigned to condition A another condition B

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15
Q

Evaluate matched pairs.

A

+only take part in a singular condition, so order effects and demand characteristics are controlled.

-participants can never be matched perfectly
-matching may take time, practicality

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16
Q

what is counterbalancing?

A

An attempt to control for the effects of order in a repeated measure. Half the ppts experience it is one order, the other half experience it in a different order.

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17
Q

What is a Laboratory experiment?

A

conducted in a highly controlled environment. Allows for the maintenance of any extraneous variables.

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18
Q

Evaluate Lab experiments

A

+highly controlled
+reliable
-may not reflect real life

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19
Q

what is a field experiment

A

an experiment which takes place in an natural setting but the IV is still manipulated

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20
Q

evaluate field experiments.

A

+More valid as set in natural

-ethical issues cannot consent to being studied

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21
Q

what is a natural experiment

A

An experiment where the researcher has no control over the Iv and cannot change it.

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22
Q

Evaluate natural experiment

A

+have high external validity

  • a naturally occurring event may be rare

-the Iv may have not actually effected the DV

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23
Q

what is a Quasi experiment?

A

The IV is already exists. No one has manipulated the variable. it just exists. and the IV cannot be changed.

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24
Q

evaluate quasi experiments

A

+often occur under controlled conditions so are high in reliability.

-may be confounding variables.
-the IV has not been deliberalty changed so we cannot claim the change is from that

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25
what is a population?
a group of people who are the focus of the researchers interests, from which a sample is drawn
26
what is a sample?
a group of people who take part in a research investigation, taken from a target population.
27
what is random sampling ?
Everyone in the target population has equal chances of being picked people are picked using lottery method, either taken out of a hat, or random number randomiser
28
evaluate the use of random sampling
+potentially unbiased -difficult and time consuming to conduct (unpractical) -may end up with a unrepresentative sample.
29
what is stratified sampling ?
the sample will reflect the proportions of people within the target population e.g. 40%women 60% men therefore randomly pick 4 women, 6 men to be representative
30
evaluate stratified sampling
+Representative (reflects the target population) -unpractical -hard to point out all sub-groups within a target population
31
what is systematic sampling ?
every nth number of the target pop is selected.
32
evaluate systematic sampling
+objective, as researcher will have no bias -time consuming
33
what is an opportunity sample?
choosing anyone who is willing and able to take part. asking anyone who is around
34
evaluate opportunity sampling
+practical -unrepresentative as sample is picked fro a small amount of people -may be influenced by researcher bias
35
what is a volunteer sample ?
PPTS selecting themselves who is going tp take part (self selection) researchers may place an advert in a window or in the newspaper to attract people
36
evaluate volunteer sampling
+practical -volunteer bias may occur, whereby adverts may only attract extraverts
37
what are the four ethical issues which arise when conducting psychological research?
-informed consent ( PPTS must consent to being involved in a study) -deception (PPTS should know what the study is truly about -protection from harm ( PPTS should not be placed at any risk) -confidentiality (ppts should have the right to their own information)
38
What are the ways to deal with ethical issues?
BPS has set a list of guidelines. e.g. consent- PPTS must fully consent to their involvement in a study deception- given a full debrief and allowed the right to withdraw- giving counselling if needed\ confidentitality- grant anonymity
39
what is a pilot study?
A small scale version of an investigation takes place prior to the real investigation. This allows investigators to check procedures, materials used etc. this allows researchers to make tweaks to their real investigation
40
what is a single blind procedure?
When participants are not aware a test is being conducted, but researcher is aware. This is used to limit the demand characteristics
41
what is a double blind procedure ?
Neither researcher or PPTS know the true aim of the test. This is used for drug trials, where a doctor is testing for the placebo affect, where a doctor can assure that the researcher is not influencing results.
42
what is a control group, and why is it used?
Control groups are where the variables are all controlled. Often control groups are used for baseline testing and comparison.
43
what are observations?
observations are where a researcher will watch behaviour without somebody being told what to do.
44
evaluate observations as a whole.
+Valid, as allow us to see how people will real act -may be effected by observer bias, where a observer is interpreting behaviour is a way that fits their test
45
what is a natural observation?
Where a researcher will watch and record behaviour in a setting where the behaviour will often occur.
46
evaluate natural observations.
+high external validity. +generalisable -unreliable, as hard to replicate -results may be affected by extranuous variables
47
what is a controlled observation?
watching and recording behaviour in a controlled setting e.g. Ainworths strange situation
48
evaluate controlled observations .
-unvalid to real life +reliable +extraneous variables controlled
49
what is a covert observation.
behaviour is being watched without consent, and without the PPTS knowing they are being watched
50
evaluate covert observations.
+removes the chance of demand characteristics +valid +generalisable -unethical, no consent
51
what Is an overt observation?
behaviour being watched is known by the PPTS, has informed consent
52
evaluate overt observations.
+ethical, informed consent -may produce demand characteristics.
53
what is a participant observation?
where the researcher will become part of test, becoming a member of the group.
54
evaluate participent observations.
+Increase external validity, as researcher is experiencing it for themselves -looses objectivity
55
what is a non-participant observation?
researcher remains separate from the group, not getting involved.
56
evaluate non-participent observations.
-lack of internal validity +allows to remain objective
57
What is an unstructured observation
When a researcher simply writes down what they see.
58
what is a structured observation?
When a researcher simplifies what they are observing, splitting behaviour into behavioural catorgries.
59
Evaluate Structured vs unstructured observations.
structured- +make observations easier and more practical +Numerical data likely to be found, so trends and patterns are easy to spot unstructured- +more valid -may be affected by observer bias (researcher may only nite down behaviours that catch their eye) -produce qualitative data ,which may be more hard to analyse.
60
what are behavioural categories?
When target behaviour is broken down into components which are observable and measurable. e.g.- affect broken down into; hugging, kissing, smiling, holding hands
61
evaluate behavioural categories.
+make data collection more objective and structured behaviours must be exclusive and not overlap e.g. smiling and grinning Behaviours must be self evident and measurable
62
What is event sampling?
Counting the number of times a behaviour occurs in a certain event.
63
what is time sampling?
A target individual is established then Behaviour is recorded in a fixed time frame. e.g. how many times people smile in 60 seconds.
64
evaluate event and time sampling.
-researcher may overlook important details if using event sampling- as only focused on one behaviour -time sampling is more practical, as can be used to get details within a short time frame.
65
what is a self report study?
Any method in which a person is asked to state their own feelings, experiences, or opinions on any given topic.
66
What is a questionnaire, and what types of questions are used?
-List of written questions used to access a persons thoughts and feelings. types- Open Question- does not have a fixed range of answers, allowing PPTS to respond in any way they wish to. Tend to produce quantitative data. Closed questions-offers a fixed number of responses. e.g. Yes, No. This produces quantitative data
67
evaluate questionnaires
+Cost effective. (Practical) Can gather large amounts of data quickly. Researcher doesn't need to be present. Can be distributed to large amounts of people +spot trends and patterns-if closed questions +generalisability- distributed largely. -Responses may not be truthful (people want to shine a light on themselves) e.g. social desirability bias -people may not fully read the questions which they are given, meaning results are inaccurate
68
What are interviews? What are the types of interviews?
A 'live' encounter either in person or over the phone of an interviewer and interviewee. -Structured interview. A set of predetermined questions are asked to the interviewee, where the interviewer acts like a robot reading them out and waiting for a response. -semi-structured interviews A list of predetermined questions given, but interviewer can also ask follow up questions. e.g. a job interview -unstructured interview No set questions, interview acts like a conversation. There is a general aim, but interactions tend to be free-flowing.
69
Evaluate Interviews
structured- +replicable, due to standardised format. -invalid, as researchers are unable to deviate from certain topic and find out more unstructured- +More valid, interviewee can go into depth about a certain topic +Able to build a rapport -researcher bias may occur, as interviewer may try to ask leading questions -social desirability may occur
70
what is a correlation
a mathematical technique which a researcher investigates an association between two variables.
71
what is a positive correlation ?
as one co-variable increases, so does the other.
72
what is a negative correlation?
as one co-variable increases the other decreases.
73
what is a zero correlation?
when their is no relation between the co-variables. therefore there is no correlation between the two.
74
Evaluate correlations.
+Easily find out trends and patterns. +easily to see if there is a relationship +quick and economical -can only tell us why they are connected not why. -can often be misinterpreted or misjudged -may be a third variable which is silently effecting the results.
75
what is qualitative data?
data is expressed in words and non-numerical. +more external validity, as goes more into depth -difficult to analyse
76
what is quantitative data?
data expressed numerically, often can be counted +trends and patterns -does not add depth
77
what is primary data?
original data has been collected specifically for the investigation by the researcher. +fits the job, specific to what is needed -requires time and effort by the researcher
78
what is secondary data?
information which already has been created, not specifically for the investigation. for example using pre-made psychological research or using government statistics +inexpensive and easy to collect -may not fit the exact aim of the experiment
79
What is meta analysis?
the process of combining the findings from a number of studies on a particular study. The aim is to produce a overall statistical conclusion based on a range of studies. +created a larger more varied sample and results can be generalised across much larger populations (valid) -publication bias, as researchers may choose studies which fit their aim
80
what is the mean?
adding up all values of data and dividing them by the amount of numbers. e.g. 1+2+3+4=10 divided by 4 +Representative of data as whole +easy to calculate -doesn't take into account anomalous results
81
what is the median?
When arranged from highest to lowest, the middle number +easy to calculate -ignores the extreme values which may be important
82
what is the mode?
the most frequently occurring number +easy to calculate
83
what is the range?
the difference between the highest number and the lowest number -does not indicate where the majority of the numbers are -quick
84
what is standard deviation?
measure of dispersion in set scores, telling us the average in which each score deviates from the mean
85
describe peer review
the aspects of the written investigation being scrutinised by a small group of specialists to ensure high quality work aims- -to allocate research funding -to validate the quality and relevance of research -to suggest amendments and improvements
86
evaluate peer review
-anomyity - may use this to criticise rival psyuchologists -publication bias- -burying groundbreaking research
87

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