Research Methods

Question 1

Hypothesis

Answer 1

a statement about the expected outcome

Question 2

Variable

Answer 2

a measurable characteristic that can differ from one observation to another

Question 3

Experimental / Alternative Hypothesis

Answer 3

Predicts that a difference or an expected relationship between two variables will be revealed

Question 4

Null Hypothesis

Answer 4

States there will be no relationship between the two variables

Question 5

Directional Hypothesis

Answer 5

States the direction of the results, also known as the one tailed hypothesis because predicts the nature of the outcome

Question 6

Non- Directional Hypothesis

Answer 6

Direction of results is not predicted, two tailed hypothesis - direction of results not specified could go in either direction

Question 7

Correlational Study

Answer 7

Investigation into the possible association of the two variables

Question 8

Operationalising

Answer 8

Process of devising a way of measuring a variable

Question 9

Internal Validity

Answer 9

If the outcome is the result of the variables that are manipulated then it is internally valid

Question 10

External Validity

Answer 10

The extent to which results can be generalised to other settings

Question 11

Independent Variable

Answer 11

The variable that the researcher manipulates, assumed to have a direct effect upon the DV

Question 12

Dependent Variable

Answer 12

The variable that is measured and is affected by IV

Question 13

Extraneous Variable

Answer 13

Any other variable other than IV that can effect the DV

Question 14

Demand Characteristics

Answer 14

Cues in the environment that help the participant work out what the hypothesis is and this will effect the way they act

Question 15

Investigator effects

Answer 15

Where the investigator themselves influences the participant into acting a certain way

Question 16

Single Blind Technique

Answer 16

Where parts. do not know the hypothesis and which condition they are in

Question 17

Double Blind Technique

Answer 17

Where neither the parts. or researcher knows the hypothesis or the condition they are in – use a research assistant to do this

Question 18

Control Group

Answer 18

The group who do not receive the experiment conditions

Question 19

Lab experiment

Answer 19

Carried out in a controlled environment, IV is manipulated

Question 20

Field Experiment

Answer 20

In a natural environment, IV is manipulated

Question 21

Natural Experiment

Answer 21

Researcher takes advantage of naturally occurring difference

Question 22

Ecological Validity

Answer 22

Whether the settings, method and materials represent real life situations

Question 23

Experimental Design

Answer 23

The method of control imposed by the researcher to control participant variables

Question 24

Order / Carry Over Effects

Answer 24

If participant complete one condition first then do the second they may kinda know what’s expected of them

Question 25

Counterbalancing

Answer 25

Half parts. do condition A then B other half do condition B then A ----- ABBA

Question 26

Observer Bias

Answer 26

Observer makes their own interpretation of the behaviour observed

Question 27

Participant Observation

Answer 27

Researcher has to join the group or take part in the situation

Question 28

Non-Participant Observation

Answer 28

Observations made from a distance or made from outside of the group

Question 29

Undisclosed / Covert observation

Answer 29

parts. not aware they are being observed

Question 30

Disclosed / Overt observation

Answer 30

parts. aware they are being observed

Question 31

Structured observation

Answer 31

before research, researcher determines what behaviours are to be observed

Question 32

Unstructured Observstion

Answer 32

Direct observtion to record behaviours as they happen

Question 33

Observation schedule

Answer 33

form or a grid that needs to be completed

Question 34

Inter - observer reliability

Answer 34

extent to which a data collection tool used by a group produces similar data

Question 35

Social desirability

Answer 35

tendency of humans to present themselves in the best light possible

Question 36

Idiographic

Answer 36

relating to individual cases

Question 37

Qualitative data

Answer 37

analysis that focuses more on words

Question 38

Quantitative data

Answer 38

analysis that uses numbers

Question 39

Mean

Answer 39

average

Question 40

Median

Answer 40

the middle number

Question 41

Mode

Answer 41

the most common number

Question 42

Content Analysis

Answer 42

analytical approach based on coding and quantifaction of various elements in any text

Question 43

Coding

Answer 43

procedure employed to transform raw data into format that can be used for data analysis purposes