Research Methods Flashcards
Hypothesis
a clear statement predicting how changes in the independent variable(s) will affect the value of the dependent variable(s). The hypothesis also clearly states the population about which the researcher intends to draw conclusions.
Scientific method
Identify area of research
Collect information
Identify the research question and formulate the hypothesis
Design the research method to test the hypothesis
Collect and analyse the data
Draw a conclusion - accept of reject the hypothesis
Report findings
Test conclusion
Independent variable
deliberately manipulated or varied in some way by the experimenter
Dependent variable
the property that is measured in the research
Extraneous variable
a variable other than (extraneous to) the independent variable that could cause changes in the value of the dependent variable.
What is the purpose of the experimental group
The purpose of the E-group is to show the effects of the independent variable on the value of the dependent variable
What is the control group
participants who are not exposed to the independent variable—they do not receive the treatment.
Placebo effect
participants’ behaviour being influenced by their expectation of how they should behave.
The experimenter effect
outcome of an experiment being unintentionally (or intentionally) influenced by the experimenter, treating the members of E-group and C-group differently.
qualitative data
quantitative data
subjective data
objective data
qualitative data—refer to descriptions of the characteristics of what is being studied.
quantitative data—refer to measurements, numerical information about the variables being studied.
subjective data—are based on opinion and there is no external criterion by which they are measured.
objective data—are measured according to an identifiable external criterion.
Collection of data
case studies observation interviews questionnaires surveys psychological tests technology of data collection
Research designs
longitudinal design: the same participants are monitored at several different times in their lives.
cross-sectional design: participants of different ages, or cohorts, are investigated at one particular point in time.
sequential designs: attempt to overcome the limitations with both longitudinal and cross-sectional designs. They are a combination of both longitudinal and cross-sectional designs.
Correlational studies
identify and describe the relationship between two variables.
Negative correlation - go in opposite directions; increase:decrease
Positive correlation - go the same way; increase:increase or decrease:decrease
Operationalisation
The variable is stated in terms that show how it was measured
Population
The group about which we wish to draw conclusions
