Research Methods Flashcards
(33 cards)
Define Extraneous Variable
A “nuisance” variable which should be controlled as it can affect the dependent variable.
Define Confounding Variable
A variable which is not the IV but can affect the DV - it is a variable which can change within the IV but cannot be controlled.
Define Operationalise
The process of ensuring variable are in a form which can be easily tested and specifically defined in order to be fully understood.
Define Aim
A general statement about the purpose of the investigation.
Define Hypothesis
A precise, testable statement about the expected outcome of an investigation.
What if the difference between a one-tailed and two-tailed hypothesis?
One-tailed states direction of results while two-tailed suggests a difference but not a direction.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Lab exps?
- Decreased effects of confounding variables.
- Replication increased
- Casual Relationships
- Lacks eco validity
- Demand characteristics
- Unethical
Define Field Experiment
- Natural environment
- IV is manipulated
- Mostly random allocation
What are the advantages and disadvantages of field exps?
- Causal relationships
- Has eco validity
- No demand characteristics
- Influence of confounding variables increased
- Unethical
Define natural experiment
- IVs are controlled naturally (already occured)
- Doesn’t manipulate IV
What are the advantages and disadvantages of natural exps?
- No demand characteristics
- Has eco validity
- No Causal relationships
- Deception
Define Quasi Experiment
Not randomly allocated to conditions in experiment.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Quasi exps?
- Controlled
- Has eco validity
- Participants allocated
- No Causal relationships
What are the strengths of questionnaires?
- Cost effective
- Large amount of data gathered
- Doesn’t need researcher present
- Reduces effort needed
- Data is straightforward to analyse
- Data lends itself to statistical analysis
What are the weaknesses of questionnaires?
- Social desirability
- Participants may lie and behave unnaturally due to social pressures.
- Acquiescence bias
- Response not reflective
What are the advantages and disadvantages of structured interviews?
- Standardised
- Increased Inter-rater reliability
- Quick to conduct and analyse
- Lacks flexibility
- Lacks depth
- Social desirability
What are the advantages and disadvantages of unstructured interviews?
- Rich, detailed data
- Increased eco validity
- Responsive
- Difficult to analyse
- Time consuming
- Low reliability
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Semi-structured interviews?
- Flexibility
- Can clarify responses
- Natural conversation
- Still time consuming
- Interviewer bias
Define Repeated Measures Experimental Design
Same ppts are used in both conditions. The research then compares results from the two conditions.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of repeated measures?
- No differences in variables between groups
- Used for when ppts difficult to obtain
- Order effects as ppts can become used to or bored with same task which could affect performance in 2nd condition.
Define Independent Groups Experimental Design
Ppts randomly allocated to different groups which represent different conditions. Results from two conditions then compared.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Independent Groups
- No order effects
- May be differences in variables between groups
- Reaches twice as many ppts
Define Matched Pairs Experimental Design
Pairs of ppts closely matched based on shared characteristics then randomly allocated to one of the experimental conditions.
Advantages and disadvantages of Matched Pairs
- Allows researchers to control for ppt variables
- Time consuming
- May not be possible to truly match all ppts to suitable partner
