Research Methods Flashcards
what is an aim ?
A general statement about what area or topic is being researched.
what is an experimental hypothesis
A statement that predicts the difference you expect to find in the DV when the IV is manipulated.
what is an alternative hypothesis
A statement that predicts the outcome of the research as an alternative to the null hypothesis. used in a non-experimental condition
what is a null hypothesis
Predicts no difference or relationship will be found, and if one does
occur is due to chance factors. Tested using inferential stats tests
what is a directional hypothesis
Predicts the direction of difference or relationship that the result is likely
to take. Used when there is previous research.
what is a non-directional hypothesis
Predicts that a difference or relationship will be found, but not the
direction that the difference or relationship will take. Used when there is no previous research.
what is an IV
the variable that is manipulated or
changed by the researcher in order to demonstrate a difference
what is a DV
The dependent variable (DV) is the variable that is measured.
what is a repeated measures design
When the same group of pps complete all tasks in all experimental conditions.
what are strengths of repeated measures ?
High control over individual differences/participant
variables: These will be kept constant across both conditions.
Practical: uses fewer pps, so more efficient than an independent groups design where you require different
pps for each task or condition.
what are weaknesses of Repeated measures design ?
- Order effects may occur: Pps may perform better on the second task/condition because they have practised it, or they may perform worse because of fatigue
- Problem of demand characteristics: pps are more able to guess the aims of the study and respond differently in later conditions as they have had time to think and work out the aims of the study.
what is an independent groups design?
When different/independent groups of pps do each task or condition in an
investigation.
what are the strengths of an Independent groups design?
There will be no order effects: different pps do different conditions. Pps only do one task so they will not be affected by becoming practised or getting fatigued/tired.
Less likely to produce demand characteristics than the
repeated measures design: as pps have less of an opportunity to guess the aims of the study.
what are the weaknesses of an independent groups design ?
Individual differences/participant variables are not kept constant:
The findings may be due to the different characteristics of the two groups of pps such as IQ rather than to the IV.
Practical :
twice the no. of pps are needed which may mean it takes longer to gather a sample and is likely to increase the time needed to conduct the study due to splitting pps into groups and pps completing the study at different times.
what is a matched pairs design ?
When different groups of pps do each task or condition in an investigation, but the two sets of pps are matched. they are matched based on a key dependent variable, gender, age, IQ
strengths of matched pairs design ?
Reduced individual differences/participant variables: ensures that the conditions can be compared more reliably as you are increasing the likelihood you are
comparing like for like.
There will be no order effects: different pps do different conditions. Pps only do one task so they will
not be affected by getting tired or becoming practised.
weaknesses of matched pairs design?
Practical issues - it is very difficult and time consuming to match people up. No two people are identical so there
can be an issue of individual differences/participant variables affecting the results.
Practical issues- twice the no. of pps are needed which may
mean it takes longer to gather a sample and is likely to
increase the time needed to conduct the study.
