Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Psychology > Research methods > Flashcards

Research methods Flashcards

(111 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Define the aim of a study

A

statement of what the researcher intends to find out

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are standardised procedures?

A

procedures that are the same for each participant- makes the study repeatable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is operationalisation?

A

ensuring that variables can be specifically tested

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is a confounding variable?

A

a variable other than the IV that may affect the DV – these cannot always be controlled – changes in the DV might be due to a confounding variable rather than the IV

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is an extraneous variable?

A

Does not act as an alternative to the IV but may impact the IV.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is mundane realism?

A

The extent of which a study mirrors the real world

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is a confederate

A

Someone who has been instructed to act a certain way within a study and the participant does not know they are not a real participant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is an alternative hypothesis?

A

the opposite of a null hypothesis, can be directional or non directional and states a difference/ relationship between conditions/ groups of Ps

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is a null hypothesis

A

the opposite of an alternate hypothesis, stating that there is no difference/ relationship between conditions/ groups of Pss

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is a pilot study?

A

a small scale, trial run of a study to test aspects such as ethics and methodology, with a view to making improvements – the results are irrelevant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is a lab experiment?
Pros and cons?

A

controlled setting, usually artificial; researcher directly manipulating the IV and measuring the DV

High control over extraneous variables; study cause and effect; easy to replicate; scientific.

Often low mundane realism; low ecological validity; Pss usually know they are being tested and so demand characteristics might occur

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a field experiment?
Pros and cons?

A

conducted in a more natural setting; researcher directly manipulates the IV and measures the DV

Less artificial than a lab experiment; Pss may not be aware they are being studied – reduces demand characteristics

Less control of extraneous variables so lower internal validity; more time consuming and expensive than lab experiments

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is a natural experiment?

A

researcher does not manipulate the IV – this change would occur even if the study was not happening – researcher records effect on DV

allows research where IV cannot be manipulated for ethical or practical reasons; can study real life issues as
IV is naturally occurring\

cannot establish cause and effect as IV not being manipulated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is a quasi experiment?

A

Research where the IV occurs naturally and the DV is measured.

Allows for comparisons between types of people

Cannot establish cause and effect and IV not being directly manipulated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Name the three types of experimental design

A

-repeated measures
-matched pairs
-independant groups

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Name the four types of experiment

A

lab
field
natural
quasi

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what are repeated measures?
pros and cons?

A

Experiments when participants experience each condition

Order effects may apply which affect Ps’s ability to work out the aim of the study – demand characteristics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are independent groups?

A

Experiments where a group of participants only experience one condition of the IV

Cannot control Ps variables

Need more Pss than repeated measures to end up with the same amount of data

No order effects

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are matched pairs?

A

Two groups of Ps that are matched on characteristics

Can’t match P’s on all characteristics

Increased validity because results less likely to be due to one individual who is weird

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How can you deal with the limitations of experimental design?

A
  • Counterbalancing:
    ABBA method (Ps experience both conditions but in varying orders) reduces bias of repeated measures
    -Random allocation:
    reduces bias of independant groups
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is opportunistic sampling?
pros and cons?

A

recruit Ps who are most convenient to you

less time consuming

Bias as Ps drawn from small % of population

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is stratified sampling?
pros and cons

A

sample is representative of subgroups in population

Representative as proportional to population

Time consuming

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is systematic sampling?
Pros and cons?

A

selecting every nth Ps from sampling frame

Unbiased – objective system

time consuming – need list of all of population

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is a volunteer sample?
pros and cons?

A

advertise for Ps in a newspaper/ noticeboard

Willing to Ps – no coercion

Volunteer bias – may be more highly motivated or share certain characteristics that might affect results

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What are demand characteristics?
A cue that allows the P to figure out the aim of the study and change their behaviour accordingly
26
What are investigator effects?
Cues from the investigator that encourages certain behaviours (eg nodding head)
27
What is a single-blind trial?
The researcher knows what condition the participant is in but the participant does not.
28
What is a double-blind trial?
Neither know what condition the P is in
29
Pros and cons of meta analysis?
research Large sample sizes because of data collected (35 studies nearly 2000 Ps in Van Ijzendoorn’s CCD strange situation research in attachment)allows for better sample validity and generalisability. May include studies with different methodology e.g) strange situation run in difference size rooms with different lighting and or different socioeconomic levels of Ps.
30
Define ethics within psychology
Standards that concern groups of professional people in terms of rights and wrong doings in their jobs
31
What are the 6 main things to mention when discussing ethics?
Informed consent Deception Right to withdraw Protection from harm Confidentiality Privacy
32
Describe Informed consent
Ps must be given comprehensive info about what the study will entail so they can decide if they would like to participate
33
Describe Deception
P is not told the true aim of the study so cannot give fully informed consent
34
Describe the right to withdraw
Ps can withdraw from the study at any time and can remove their data before publishing
35
Describe the protection from harm
The concern for Ps physical and mental welfare The study should be no more dangerous than the happenings of normal life
36
Describe confidentiality
Ps private, personal information should not be shared (protected)
37
Describe privacy
A persons right to control the flow of information about themselves and avoiding recording people in private situations.
38
What board decides whether a study is ethical? What is their 'mantra'?
The BPS They encourage dignity and respect for all people Competence in research taking responsibility for actions Integrity and honesty in every publication
39
What are the different observation techniques?
Overt Covert Naturalistic Controlled Participant- observation Non-participant- observation
40
Describe Overt observations, pros and cons?
Ps are aware they are being observed +ive: Ethics -ive: Demand characteristics
41
Describe covert observations, pros and cons?
Ps are unaware they are being observed +ive: less demand characteristics -ive: ethics
42
Describe naturalistic obervations, pros and cons?
Ps are observed in their natural environment, investigator does not interfere in any way +ive: Higher ecological validity -ive: Extraneous variables less controlled
43
Describe controlled obervations, pros and cons?
Ps are oberved in a lab setting where variables are controlled by investigator +ive: extraneous variables controlled for -ive: less ecological validity
44
Describe participant obervations, pros and cons?
Ps are the ones who do the observing +ive: Investigator is able to view through Ps perspective -ive: ps may not remember all the important info when they write up
45
Describe non-participant obervations, pros and cons?
Researcher not participating in study does the observing +ive: More objective as researcher is not part of group being observed -ive: May not truly understand the behaviour
46
What are the different observational designs?
Unstructured observations Structured observations Behavioural categories Event sampling Time sampling
47
What is an unstructured observation?
Relevant behaviour is recorded but no system in place- typically used for pilot study to identify possible behaviour categories
48
What is a structured observation?
Systematic method used to organise and record behaviour
49
What is a behavioural category?
Breaking up a stream of behaviours into operationalized variables that can be measured specifically
50
What is event sampling?
Count the number of times a certain behaviour occurs
51
What is time sampling?
Recording behaviour is set at certain time intervals (record what P does every 5 mins)
52
What are the 3 self report techniques?
- Questionaires - Unstructured interviews - Structured interviews
53
Pros and cons of questionaires?
+ive: Easy to do loads at once -ive: People have to be able to read, acquiescence bias
54
Pros and cons of structured interviews?
+ive: Easily replicated -ive: Interviewer bias can still happen, no flexibility
55
Pros and cons of unstructured interviews?
+ive: build rapport with Ps, can re-word Qs if they don't understand -ive: harder to analyse, requires a more skilled interviewer
56
What kind of graph would you plot for a correlation
Scatter graph
57
What is primary data?
Data collected first hand
58
What is secondary data?
Data used in research is collected by someone else
59
What graph would you use to plot continuous data?
histogram
60
What graph would you use to plot nominal data?
bar chart
61
What is normal distribution?
Symmetrical bell curve mean median mode at midpoint
62
What is negative distribution?
Scores clustered to the right, skewed to the left Scores are lower so median and mode are lower than mean
63
What is positive distribution?
Scores clustered to the left, skewed to the right Scores are higher so median and mode are higher than the mean
64
What is peer review? pros and cons?
Process of using independent experts in the field to assess quality and validity of data. +ive prevents false info being published -ive: hard to find experts, can be biased
65
What is allocation of research funding? pros and cons?
Bodies that award funding to research review different proposals to identify who to provide funding to. +ive allows people from less-wealthy backgrounds to participate in scientific research -ive Hard to be objective when awarding grants.
66
Pros and cons of publication?
+ive: allows information to be shared so other scientists can better develop their own understanding -ive: publication bias: Journals tend to publish positive results or results from well-established researchers
67
Relation between social change research and the economy?
Campaigns used to modify drinking behaviour by making people aware of social norms, can improve NHS funding
68
Relation between memory research and the economy?
Improve Qs asked in EWT so more correct info established. Prevents the wrong people getting arrested.
69
Relation between attachment research and the economy?
Bowlby influenced social policy allowing for better care of children.
70
Relation between psychopathology research and the economy?
Drug therapy cheaper than psychological- saves NHS money
71
Relation between biopsychology research and the economy?
Technology: Use of machines that mimic human mental processes (passport control at airports)
72
What is content analysis?
Observational research in which communication that’s visual, written or verbal material is analysed. Can be qualitative or quantitative
73
How do we quantitively analyse something in a content analysis?
Operationalise some behavioural categories and tally them
74
Pros and cons of Coding in quantitative analysis?
+ive High ecological validity -ive: Observer bias (inter-rater reliability)
75
How do we qualitatively analyse something in content analysis?
Using thematic analysis. Read over everything and then summarise with themes that stick out to researcher. Check themes against other data to see if data used the same way.
76
What is a case study?
Detailed study on a single individual, institution or event; It is usually carried out in the real world. They are idiographic and very individualistic.
77
Pros and cons of case studies?
+ive: Rich in-depth data; can study behaviour where ethically and practically experiments cannot occur -ive: Difficult to generalise; confidentiality and informed consent might be an issue; time consuming, Researchers may get to know participants so results may become less objective.
78
What is reliability?
Seeing if a scale gives the same result every time
79
How can reliability be measured/ensured?
- Inter-rater reliability - Test-retest - Standardisation of experiments
80
What is inter-rater reliability?
When both raters produce the same results from the same test
81
What is test-retest (reliability-wise)?
When you give Ps same questionnaire a few days apart to see if their score is concordant
82
What is validity?
Whether the observed effect is a genuine one.
83
What is internal validity?
Whether the goings-on of the experiment will lead to valid results
84
What is external validity?
Can we generalise the research beyond the study?
85
What is temporal validity?
The ability to generalise a research effect beyond the particular time period of the study
86
What is ecological validity?
The ability to generalise the research findings beyond the setting of the experiment
87
What is face validity?
The extent to which a test/ study looks like it measures what it claims to measure
88
What is concurrent validity?
A means of establishing validity by comparing an existing test or questionnaire with one you are interested in
89
What are the (8) features of science
- Control - Objectivity - Replicability - Empiricism - Theory construction - Falsifiability - Paradigms - Paradigm shift
90
What does it mean by 'control' in science?
controlling variables in an experiment to establish cause and effect; attempting to reduce extraneous variables
91
What does it mean by 'Objectivity' in science?
Research should not be affected by the expectations of the researcher or their personal opinions
92
What does it mean by 'Replicability' in science?
repeating the study to compare results can see if the results are valid; scientists must record their procedures carefully
93
What does it mean by 'empiricism' in science?
information is gained through direct observation and experience
94
What is theory construction in science? Steps?
facts alone are meaningless; theories must be constructed to make sense of the facts; deduction – theory construction occurs at the beginning of the process after making observations; induction – starts with observations of phenomena and then hypotheses are developed and tested which eventually leads to theory
95
What is falsifiability in science?
being able to prove a hypothesis wrong makes something scientific – scientific research should be able to be disconfirmed
96
What is a paradigm in science?
Kuhn – a shared set of assumptions about the subject method – psychology does not have a shared set of assumptions (behaviourism, cognitive, psychodynamic) and is therefore, not a science.
97
What is a paradigm shift?
Through scientific revolution, scientific beliefs change; through disconfirming theories, everyone gradually moves to accept the same things
98
What are the features of a scientific report?
Abstract Introduction Method Results Discussion
99
What is an abstract?
summary of the study covering aims, hypothesis, method, results and conclusion
100
What is an introduction?
reviews previous research for background information
101
What is found in the method of a scientific report?
detailed description of what the researcher did, providing enough information to replicate the study if necessary; design (repeated measures etc), participants (sampling), materials used, procedures (standardised instructions), ethics (ethical issues considered)
102
What is found in the results of a scientific report?
details are given about what the researcher found including descriptive statistics if necessary, inferential statics or thematic analysis
103
What is found in the discussion of a scientific report?
interpretation of results; summary of them, relationship to previous research, consideration of methodology, implications and suggestions for future research
104
What is found in the reference section of a report?
full details of any journal articles or books that are mentioned in the research report
105
What descriptive statistics would you use for nominal data?
Mode
106
What descriptive statistics would you use for ordinal data?
Range and Median
107
What descriptive statistics would you use for interval data?
Mean and SD
108
What should a consent form include?
The purpose of the study. The length of time required of the participants. The fact that participants would have to be isolated in a research institute for the duration of the study. Details about the diet. Right to withdraw. Reassurance about protection from harm e.g. the availability of medical supervision. The requirement to undertake a series of psychological tests. Reassurance about confidentiality of the data.
109
What should a debrief include?
explanation of the aim: to see if creativity is affected by the presence or absence of others information about the other condition – in an independent design people need to know about the condition in which they did not take part. specific ethical issues, eg right to withdraw data / be informed of results / check of welfare general ethical considerations, eg respect for participants.
110
In a 'design an observation', what does it mean by observational design?
Covert/ Overt and then Natural/ Controlled
111
In a 'design an experiment' what does it mean by experimental design?
Matched pairs, independent groups, or repeated measures

Psychology (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions