Research Methods

Question 1

Hypothesis

Answer 1

A precise, testable statement about the predicted outcome of the investigation.

Question 2

Types of hypotheses

Answer 2

Null - no diff
Non-directional - diff
Directional - specific diff, one higher etc

Question 3

Independent variable

Answer 3

The variable that is manipulated by the researcher. Assumed to have a direct effect on the dependent variable.

Question 4

Dependent variable

Answer 4

The variable that the researcher measures.

Question 5

Extraneous variables

Answer 5

Any variable. which may effect the dependent variable other than the IV.

Question 6

Aim

Answer 6

A statement about the purpose of an investigation

Question 7

Operationalising variables

Answer 7

Making something clear or unambiguous.

Process of devising a clear way of measuring something so that another person knows exactly what you have done.

Question 8

Experimental designs

Answer 8

Independent groups
Repeated measures
Matched pairs

Question 9

Strengths and weaknesses of independent groups

Answer 9

• many differences between groups - participant variables
• require more participants
  + eliminates practice/fatigue effects

Question 10

Strengths and weaknesses of repeated measures

Answer 10

• takes longer for each participant to complete experiment as do it twice
• two sets of materials
• order effects or practice effects
  + controls differences between people that could affect dv

Question 11

Strengths and weaknesses of matched pairs

Answer 11

• impractical to match people at beginning of experiment
  +researcher gains control over extraneous variables
  +no problems with order effects

Question 12

Counterbalancing

In repeated measures

Answer 12

Half the participants do conditions in one particular order and the other half do the conditions in the opposite order - to balance possible order effects.

Question 13

Types of experiment

Answer 13

Laboratory
Field
Natural
Quasi

Question 14

Quantitative data

Answer 14

Information that is gathered in the course of an experiment that is in numerical form

Question 15

Standard deviation

Answer 15

Average amount that the scores differ from the mean.

Less affected by outliers compared to the range. More sensitive version of dispersion compared to range. Harder to calculate.

Question 16

Measure of central tendency

Answer 16

Mean
Median
Mode

Question 17

Sampling of participants

Answer 17

Random
Opportunity
Volunteer

Question 18

Demand characteristics

Answer 18

Screw you effect
Social desirability
Guessing the aim of the study

Question 19

Reliability

Answer 19

Extent to which a measure is consistent.

Question 20

Assessing reliability

Answer 20

Inter-observer - the extent to which all observers agree
Test-retest - the extent to which the results can be repeated
Split-half - he extent to which a questionnaire is consistent

Question 21

Improving reliability

Answer 21

Standardised instructions
Train observers
Operationalise variables
Controlled conditions

Question 22

Replicability

Answer 22

Being able to do a study again with a similar sample, the same methods and procedure, in the same similar setting.

Question 23

Validity

Answer 23

Results that are accurate and true. Its to the extent to which something accurately investigates what it intends to

Question 24

Internal validity

Answer 24

The extent the study measures what it sets out to measure

Question 25

External validity

Answer 25

The extent to which we can generalise our findings accurately

Question 26

Types of External validity

Answer 26

Population | Ecological

Question 27

Population validity

Answer 27

The extent to which you can accurately generalise findings to other people

Question 28

Ecological validity

Answer 28

He extent to which you can accurately generalise findings to real life

Question 29

Types of internal validity

Answer 29

Face Temporal Concurrent

Question 30

Face validity

Answer 30

Extent to which a measure appears on the surface to measure what it is supposed to measure

Question 31

Concurrent validity

Answer 31

A way of assessing validity by comparing the results with another relevant measure.

Question 32

Temporal validity

Answer 32

The extent to which we can accurately generalise from the results of a study that was conducted several years ago to today.

Question 33

Meta-analysis

Answer 33

A way of drawing all the data from studies in a topic area together to make overall conclusions Uses secondary data

Question 34

Strengths of meta-analysis

Answer 34

Large data set - improves power of statistical analysis. Only best studies included - increases validity. Differences between findings of different studies can be explored. Don't raise ethical problems as no testing.

Question 35

Weaknesses of meta-analysis

Answer 35

Bias - what studies to include Only published studies included - less valid If studies poor quality - limited value Only work with quantitative

Question 36

Primary data

Answer 36

All data gathered by the researcher deliberately for the purpose of the study

Question 37

Observation

Answer 37

Research technique, where behaviour is watcher or recorded either in its natural context or in a laboratory setting

Question 38

Event sampling

Answer 38

Where observer counts how often a specific behaviour happens.

Question 39

Observation techniques

Answer 39

Naturalistic Controlled Covert - participants unaware of observation Overt Non-participant - observing not in situation(video link) Participant

Question 40

Case study

Answer 40

In depth studies of an individual or a small group of individuals regarding a topic of interest to the researcher

Question 41

Case study features

Answer 41

``` Interviews with individual Interviews with family Observations Medical notes Psychological tests ```

Question 42

Strengths of case studies

Answer 42

Vital as rare Rich in detail Provide information that could change theories

Question 43

Weaknesses of case studies

Answer 43

Difficult to generalise Single psychologist - bias Ethical - intrusive? As so unique its difficult/impossible to replicate (can't determine reliability)

Question 44

Qualitative data

Answer 44

Information collected in non-numerical form. Descriptions of behaviour, quotes from interview etc

Question 45

Strengths of observational research

Answer 45

Obtain true and accurate picture of natural behaviour. Usually high external validity. May be only practical way of collecting data

Question 46

Weaknesses of observational research

Answer 46

Sometimes difficult to operationalise. Can be time consuming. Sometimes ethical issues. Observer bias may influence what is recorded - lower validity. Naturalistic observations are very hard to replicate as little control over variables -impossible to recreate conditions.

Question 47

Research methods

Answer 47

Experimental Correlational Case study Meta-analysis