Research Methods

Question 1

hypothesis

Answer 1

a testable statement about the relationship between two variables (IV & DV)

Question 2

independent variable

Answer 2

variable that the researcher manipulates or alters to look for the effect on another variable

Question 3

dependent variable

Answer 3

the variable that the researcher measures so see if the IV is affected

Question 4

extraneous variable

Answer 4

unwanted variable that could affect the DV

Question 5

laboratory experiments

Answer 5

experiments that are in high control over what happens

Question 6

strengths of weaknesses: laboratory experiments

Answer 6

s: EV’s can be controlled so cause and effects can be established. uses standardised procedures
w: behaviour less generalisable, participants may display demand characteristics

Question 7

field experiments

Answer 7

takes place in a natural setting, IV manipulated by the experimenter.

Question 8

strength and weaknesses: field experiment

Answer 8

s: more realistic behaviour than lab, high ecological validity, less demand characteristics
w: may lose control of EV, difficult establishing C&E, ethical issues (consent &deception) likely

Question 9

natural experiments

Answer 9

take place in field or lab, IV is changed by the experimenter it varies naturally.

Question 10

strengths and weaknesses: natural experiments

Answer 10

s: may have validity as real life varies, can use standardised procedures so less EVs.
w: few opportunities to carry out, behaviours may be rare, small sample,may be EVs as can’t randomly allocate ppt

Question 11

reliability & validity

Answer 11

r: a measure of consistency
v: relates to whether a result is a true reflection of real life behaviour

Question 12

sampling:

Answer 12

target population: large group of people researcher wishes to study
sample: small group who rep target pop & are studied
representative: sample of ppts made up of people who have same characteristics & abilities as target pop
generalised: results from sample applied to target pop

Question 13

sampling methods:

Answer 13

random: each person has equal chance if selection (no bias but take time)
opportunity: selection of who’s available at the time (quick & easy, researcher bias)
systemic: selecting every nth person from a list of target pop (avoids researched bias, sample may not rep)
stratified: select ppts from sub groups (most rep, time consuming)