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AS Psychology > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

(50 cards)

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1
Q

Dependant variable

A

The thing that you measure

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2
Q

Independent variable

A

The conditions that you change

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3
Q

Aim

A

Describes the purpose of the investigation

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4
Q

Hypothesis

A

States the relationship between the two control variables

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5
Q

Operationalisation

A

Defining the variables in a specific way so they can be measured

E.g. Gender affects sports performance
—> gender difference in time taken to sprint 100m

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6
Q

Randomisation

A

Randomly allocate participants, reduces the risk of participant variables influencing the result

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7
Q

Standardisation

A

Keep everything the same for each participant

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8
Q

Counterbalancing

A

Half and half in each condition then switch over

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9
Q

Random sampling

A

Equal chance of being selected

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10
Q

Stratified sampling

A

Divided into sub-groups then randomly selected

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11
Q

Opportunity sampling

A

Simplest form

Take anyone who is available

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12
Q

Self- selected sampling

A

Participants sign up

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13
Q

Independent groups

A

Different groups of people

Only take part in one condition

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14
Q

Repeated measures

A

Same group of participants

Take part in each condition

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15
Q

Matched pairs

A

Different groups that have been matched

Only take part in one condition

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16
Q

Lab experiment

A

Controlled environment
Easy to replicate
Extraneous variables minimised

Not realistic
Low mundane realism

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17
Q

Field experiment

A

Natural setting, manipulate IV

More realistic than lab
Higher ecological validity

Hard to control extraneous variables
Ethical issues if people dont know theyre being observed

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18
Q

Natural experiment

A

IV changes naturally and isnt influenced by the experimenter

High ecological validity
Studies ‘real’ problems

Random allocation isnt possible

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19
Q

Informed consent

A

Participants know the aims and accept conditions

Consent forms

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20
Q

Deception

A

Lie to participants
With hold info
Full informed consent not given

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21
Q

Protection from harm

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A

Participants not at more risk than they would be in real life
No physical/psychological harm

22
Q

Privacy and confidentiality

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A

Make info private/anonymous

Must be confidential, data protection act

23
Q

Naturalistic/controlled observation

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A

Naturalistic - left as it is and researcher doesnt interfere

Controlled - variables are regulated in a lab setting, know theyre being observed

24
Q

Overt/covert observations

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A

Overt - informed consent, know theyre being observed

Covert - unaware theyre being observed e.g. in a public place

25
Participant/ non-participant observations
Participant - observer is a part of the group being observed Non - observer watches from a distance and doesnt interact
26
Event sampling
Count the number of times a certain behaviour occurs
27
Time sampling
Recording what behaviours happen in a certain amount of time
28
Features of a good questionnaire
``` Clear questions Avoid biased/leading questions Answers can be analysed Open/closed questions (likert scale, rating scale, fixed choice options) Start with easy questions Filler questions to mislead ```
29
Structured interview
Questions designed in advanced | Asked in a set order
30
Unstructured interview
More like a conversation No set questions Have a general aim Expand/elaborate on answers
31
Semi-structured interview
Questions set in advance | Can ask follow up questions to expand
32
What does a scatter diagram show?
Correlations Positive - both increase Negitive - one increase, one decrease Zero - no relationship
33
Correlation coefficient
Indicated the degree of a correlation Perfect positive is +1 Perfect negitive is -1
34
How research is used irl
Use social influence Memory research for eyewitnesses and cognitive interview Emotional care in early child development Mental health treatments Understanding the brain
35
What is peer review
Research is reviewed by experts to check for mistakes, improve accuracy, suggest improvements and decide where to allocate funding
36
Quantitative data
Numbers/quantities Easy to analyse Lacks detail
37
Qualitative data
Words/quality of info More detailed Harder to analyse
38
Primary data
Collected first hand by researcher Plan, design & conduct own experiment More control Time consuming/expensive
39
Secondary data
Data collected for a purpose other than the current one Used in meta-analysis Quicker & easier Less reliable
40
Mean (central tendency)
Representative of all data as all values are used Unrepresentative if extreme scores
41
Median (central tendency)
Not effected by extreme scores Not a sensitive as mean
42
Mode (central tendency)
Useful if data is in categories Not good if theres multiple modes
43
Standard deviation
Spread around the mean Less affected by extreme values Can be compred
44
Raw data tables
Data is unprocessed Organised with clear headings frequency table
45
Normal distribution
Mean = median = mode
46
Positive skew
Mode < median < mean
47
Negative skew
Mean < median < mode
48
When to use the sign test
Looking for a difference Repeated measures design Data in nominal ( in separate categories)
49
Statistical significance
Probability must be less than 5% for the results to have occurred by chance
50
Steps for doing a sign test
1) record the scores for both groups 2) subtract the after from the before and record the difference and + or - sign 3) count up the amount of + and -, ignore any that are 0, the lowest value is the S value 4) find the number of participants and compare this is the critical values table for 0.05 5) if the S value is equal to or less than the critical value then it's significant

AS Psychology (7 decks)

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