Research Methods

Question 1

What is an alternative hypothesis

Answer 1

Statement that predicts the outcome of the research - alternative to null

Question 2

What is a null hypothesis

Answer 2

Predicts no relationship would be found.

Question 3

Confounding variable

Answer 3

Variables that are not controlled and have a direct impact on results

Question 4

Situational variables

Answer 4

Extraneous/confounding could be in the environment and may impact results

Question 5

Participant variable

Answer 5

Characteristics of the pps themselves could affect the results

Question 6

Order effects

Answer 6

Performance of pps in one condition could impact the performance in other conditions / fatigue

Question 7

Counterbalancing

Answer 7

Alternating the order of the tasks to reduce order effects

Question 8

Randomisation

Answer 8

Selecting randomly which condition of the experiment the pps do first

Question 9

Predictive validity

Answer 9

The extent to which results of a study can predict performance in another measure of that behaviour

Question 10

Concurrent validity

Answer 10

The extent to which the psychological measure relates to an existing measure

Question 11

Face validity

Answer 11

Whether the results literally appear as if they measure what they were set out to.

Question 12

Open questions

Answer 12

Allows pps to answer freely any ways they choose
- qualitative

Question 13

Closed questions

Answer 13

Questions are fixed and answered in a certain way
- quantitative

Question 14

Random sampling

Answer 14

Every member has an equal chance of being chosen - names out of a hat

Question 15

Systematic sample

Answer 15

Every nth number of the targeted populations is selected.
- uses sampling frame (list of people who can be chosen)

Question 16

Stratified sampling

Answer 16

The sample is a proportional representation of target population
- broken into subgroups
Then randomly allocated

Question 17

Opportunity sample

Answer 17

Whoever is available at the time

Question 18

Volunteer sampling

Answer 18

Volunteer themselves

Question 19

Meta-analysis

Answer 19

Looking at multiple pieces of secondary data researching similar aims.

Question 20

Content analysis

Answer 20

1. Gathers quantative data from sources that already exist.
2. Researcher reads through data so they’re familiar w it
3. Researcher identifies coding units
4. Analysis of data using coding units
5. Tally is made of how frequent a coding unit pops up Into quanitative

Question 21

Thematic analysis

Answer 21

1. Converts qualitive data
2. Data reviewed repeatedly so then trends can be identified
3. Themes re-analysed then given short hand codes
4. Codes get used to annotate and identify

Question 22

One-tailed test

Answer 22

Use when directional hypothesis is stated.

Question 23

Two-tailed test

Answer 23

Use when non-directional hypothesis is stated.

Question 24

Type one error

Answer 24

When someone rejects the null incorrectly

Question 25

Type 2 error

Answer 25

When someone accepts the null incorrectly

Question 26

Carrots should come mashed with swede under roast potatoes.

Answer 26

Nominal : Chi squared, sign test, chi squared. Ordinal: Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon, spearman’s Rho Interval: unrelated-T test, Related t test, pearsons r

Question 27

Paradigms / paradigm shift

Answer 27

Paradigm : A set of shared assumptions within a scientific discipline. Paradigm shift : a significant change in a unifying theory within a scientific principle.

Question 28

Falsifiability

Answer 28

The theory can only be considered scientific unless if it was possible to establish it as false.

Question 29

Objectivity

Answer 29

When sources of personal bias are minimised and don’t distort and have an Influence of the research.

Question 30

Test-retest reliability

Answer 30

When the same person undertakes the same tasks to ensure its reliability and consistency

Question 31

Inter-observer reliability

Answer 31

The extent to which two or more observers observe behaviours in a consistent way