Research Methods

Question 1

Independent variable

Answer 1

The difference between the conditions in an experiment ( the thing the researcher changes)

Question 2

Dependent variable

Answer 2

he variable the researcher measure in an experiment

Question 3

Control variable

Answer 3

Anything the researcher keeps the same in all conditions

Question 4

Demand characteristics

Answer 4

Participants in an investigation try to guess the aim of the study: which can lead to the change of behaviours

Question 5

Investigator effects

Answer 5

Any impact of the researchers behaviour on outcomes, can be conscious or unconscious

Question 6

Extraneous Variable

Answer 6

Any Variable ( other than IV or DV) that may affect DV if not controlled.

Question 7

Confounding Variable

Answer 7

Type of extraneous variable, causes confusion

Question 8

Participant Variables

Answer 8

Individual differences between participants that may affect the DV

Question 9

Examples of participant variable

Answer 9

Personality , age, gender, motivation, intelligence, concentration

Question 10

Features of the situation that may affect the DV

Answer 10

Noise,time of the day, temperature, weather, instructions

Question 11

Laboratory experiment

Answer 11

The researcher manipulates an IV to measures the DV (experiment) in a controlled or artificial setting ( laboratory). Participants usually know they are in an experiment.

Question 12

Field experiment

Answer 12

The researcher manipulates an Iv to measure the DV in the participants’ natural setting. Often participants do not know that they are in an experiment

Question 13

Natural experiment

Answer 13

A study involving an independent variable which has already occurred, where the IV is an experience and not manipulated by the researcher

Question 14

Quasi experiment

Answer 14

A study involving an independent variable that is a participants characteristics, e.g gender

Question 15

Independent group

Answer 15

Experimental design where participants take part in only one level of the IV

Question 16

Repeated measures

Answer 16

Experimental design where participants take part in all levels of the IV

Question 17

Matched pairs

Answer 17

Experimental design where participants take part in only one level of the if, but are paired with another participant with similar characteristics before being seperated into their conditions

Question 18

Levels of independent variable

Answer 18

The different conditions in the experiment. if the if is whether there is music playing or not, there would be two levels

Question 19

Reliability

Answer 19

Refers to how consistent the findings from a study or measuring device are. Whether it would produce the same or similar results if the experiment is repeated

Question 20

Internal Reliability

Answer 20

What is kept consistent within the study.

Question 21

External Reliability

Answer 21

Replicaility: if the study was repeated again, would the same results be seen

Question 22

Validity

Answer 22

The extent to which the result of a test is legitimate or accurate/true

Question 23

Standardisation

Answer 23

Keeping everything the same (same time of day, same temperature)

Question 24

Random allocation

Answer 24

Rather than the researcher or participants deciding which groups they are placed in, participants are instead allocated randomly

Question 25

Double-bind testing

Answer 25

Where neither the participant nor the person testing them know which condition they are in

Question 26

Pilot studies

Answer 26

Carrying out a small-scale version of the study before the final version of it. This is done in order to identify issues with the study before it is done

Question 27

Stratified sampling

Answer 27

Researching the demographic proportions of the target population and then reflecting this .

Question 28

Internal validity

Answer 28

The degree to which changes in the dependent variable are due to the manipulation of the independent variable.

Question 29

External validity

Answer 29

Extent to which we can generalise findings to real-world settings

Question 30

Ecological validity

Answer 30

Extent to which finding can be generalised from one setting to another

Question 31

Temporal validity

Answer 31

Extent to which findings can be generalised from one time period to another

Question 32

Population validity

Answer 32

Extent to which finings from a sample can be generalised to target the population being investigated

Question 33

What is the ethical issue informed consent?

Answer 33

When participants must be told the full information about the investigation so they are are of any risks. This allows them to make an informed decision about participating. Researchers don’t always want to disclose all their information due to demand characteristics.

Question 34

What are some solutions to informed consent?

Answer 34

Prior general consent- aware that the investigation has hidden deceptions Presumptive consent- when researcher gathers opinions from the group but the participants aren’t informed Retrospective- consent asked for after the study

Question 35

What is the ethical issue deception?

Answer 35

Act of deliberately withholding information during the study . This is only acceptable if it’s a non distressing investigation.

Question 36

Solutions for deception

Answer 36

Debriefing- telling the participant everything about the study after.

Question 37

What is the ethical issue protection from harm?

Answer 37

Participants must be protected from physical harm

Question 38

What are two solutions for protection from harm?

Answer 38

Counselling should be provided if harm is done Cost- Benifit Analysis. - pros and cons to determine whether the study was ethical.

Question 39

What is the ethical issue privacy and confidentiality?

Answer 39

Right of privacy- participants have the right to decide how much information is released. Confidentiality - right to participants to overprotect their personal data

Question 40

What are some solutions to privacy and confidentiality?

Answer 40

Anonymity- achieved by researchers not recording any personal details of participants. Debriefing- participants should be reminded that their data will be protected