Research Methods

Question 0

Alternate Hypothesis

Answer 0

A statement which predicts a difference or correlation in results

Question 1

Hypothesis

Answer 1

A statement predicting the outcome of research

Question 2

Null Hypothesis

Answer 2

A statement which predicts no difference or correlation in results

Question 3

Variable

Answer 3

Anything that is open to change

Question 4

Independent Variable

Answer 4

Something the researcher changes or manipulates

Question 5

Dependent Variable

Answer 5

Something that is measured to see if it has changed (after an. Independent variable has been manipulated)

Question 6

Extraneous Variable

Answer 6

A variable (which is not the independent variable) but could affect the dependent variable if not controlled

Question 7

Standardisation

Answer 7

A way of controlling extraneous variables; to keep variables the same across conditions

Question 8

Experimental Design

Answer 8

A way of allocating participants to conditions in an experiment

Question 9

Repeated Measures Design

Answer 9

An experimental design in which participants take part in each condition

Question 10

Independent Groups Design

Answer 10

An experimental design in which participants are different in each condition

Question 11

Sample

Answer 11

A smaller group selected from a larger population

Question 12

Target Population

Answer 12

The entire set of people researchers want to generalise their results to

Question 13

Representative

Answer 13

An accurate reflection of a larger group

Question 14

Random Sample

Answer 14

A sample for which everyone in the target population has an equal chance of being chosen

Question 15

Opportunity Sample

Answer 15

A sample drawn from the target population because they are available and convenient

Question 16

Ethical Considerations

Answer 16

Issues of research that take into account the welfare of participants

Question 17

Informed Consent

Answer 17

When participants agree to take part in a study and also know what the aim of the study is

Question 18

Right to Withdraw

Answer 18

When participants are allowed to stop participating in a study or can stop the study altogether

Question 19

Confidentiality

Answer 19

Protecting the identity of participants by not revealing names and other details

Question 20

Experiment

Answer 20

A method by which the researcher controls variables and measures their effect

Question 21

Laboratory Experiment

Answer 21

An experiment carried out in a controlled environment

Question 22

Field Experiment

Answer 22

An experiment carried out in a natural environment

Question 23

Self Report

Answer 23

When participants report their own experiences

Question 24

Questionnaire

Answer 24

A set of pre-determined questions which are the same for all respondents

Question 25

Closed Questions

Answer 25

Questions for which there are set responses to choose from

Question 26

Open Questions

Answer 26

Questions for which there are no fixed responses, and participants answer as they please

Question 27

Interview

Answer 27

Face-to-face questioning

Question 28

Structured Interview

Answer 28

An interview with pre-set questions

Question 29

Unstructured Interview

Answer 29

An interview where questions vary depending on the interviewee's responses

Question 30

Overt Observation

Answer 30

To observe people with their knowledge

Question 31

Covert Observation

Answer 31

To observe people without them knowing

Question 32

Participant Observation

Answer 32

To observe people whilst joining in their activities

Question 33

Non-participant Observation

Answer 33

To observe people from a distance

Question 34

Case Study

Answer 34

An in-depth analysis of one person or group

Question 35

Correlation Study

Answer 35

A study that analyses two sets of data for a relationship

Question 36

Longitudinal Study

Answer 36

A study carried out over a period of time

Question 37

Cross-sectional Study

Answer 37

A study where two or more groups are compared, to investigate changes or difference

Question 38

Quantitative Data

Answer 38

Numerical data

Question 39

Qualitative Data

Answer 39

Descriptive data

Question 40

Mode

Answer 40

A type of average; the most popular score in a data set

Question 41

Median

Answer 41

A type of average; the middle score when a data set is in numerical order

Question 42

Mean

Answer 42

A type of average; the total of a data set divided by the number of scores in it

Question 43

Table

Answer 43

A way if presenting data by summarising it under headings

Question 44

Bar Chart

Answer 44

A chart that summarises data by using bars to represent the different frequencies of categories

Question 45

Line Graph

Answer 45

A graph that summarises data using a line to show changes in the frequencies of scores

Question 46

Validity

Answer 46

Reflecting the truth

Question 47

Reliability

Answer 47

Consistency; replicates itself

Question 48

Inter-rater Reliability

Answer 48

When two or more researchers agree on (are consistent in) their findings

Question 49

Demand Characteristics

Answer 49

Cues in an experiment, which give away the aim

Question 50

Observer Effect

Answer 50

When participants behave differently from normal because they know they are being observed

Question 51

Social Desirability

Answer 51

This describes responses that participants give when they say what they believe the researcher wants to hear

Question 52

Bias

Answer 52

Only viewing things from a certain perspective

Question 53

Gender Bias

Answer 53

Viewing things from the perspective of one gender

Question 54

Culture Bias

Answer 54

Viewing things from the perspective of one culture

Question 55

Experimenter Bias

Answer 55

Setting up an experiment and/or interpreting the results to fit a certain idea or theory