Research Methods

Question 1

Experimental method

Answer 1

A process of manipulating an IV to see the effect on the DV

Question 2

Aim

Answer 2

A statement of what the researchers intend to find out in a research

Question 3

Hypothesis

Answer 3

A precise testable statement about the assumed relationship between variables

Question 4

Directional hypothesis

Answer 4

States the direction of the difference or relationship
Used when previous research suggests a particular outcome

Condition 1 will get more/less DV than those in condition 2

Question 5

Non directional hypothesis

Answer 5

Does not state the direction
When there is no previous research or if it had contradictory findings

There will be a difference in the DV of those in condition 1 and condition 2

Question 6

Independent variable

Answer 6

Some aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher so the DV can be measured

What I change

Question 7

Dependent variable

Answer 7

The variable that is measured by the research

Question 8

Operationalisation

Answer 8

Clearly defining variable to ensure that they are in a form that can be easily tested

Question 9

Extraneous variables

Answer 9

Variable besides the IV which may have an effect on the DV
Nuisance variable that do not vary systematically with the IV

E.g. individual differences

Question 10

Confounding variables

Answer 10

Variable besides the IV which may have affected the DV
Do vary systematically with the IV
Only affects one group

E.g. practise effects, fatigue effects

Question 11

Demand characteristics

Answer 11

Cue from researcher that ppts may interpret as revealing the purpose of the investigation
May lead to ppt changing their behaviour

Question 12

Investigator effects

Answer 12

Any effect of the investigators behaviour (conscious or unconscious) on the research outcome
Everything from design to study to interaction of ppts during research process

Question 13

Controlling extraneous variables

Answer 13

Randomisation

Standardisation

Question 14

Randomisation

Answer 14

The use of chance in order to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding order of conditions

Question 15

Standardisation

Answer 15

Making everything the same

Using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all ppts in a research study

Question 16

Independent groups

Answer 16

Ppts divided into 2 groups

One group takes part in condition 1 and one group takes part in condition 2

Question 17

Strengths of independent groups

Answer 17

No order effects

Higher in internal validity

Question 18

Limitations of independent groups

Answer 18

Cannot control effects of ppt. variables or diff. variables

Needs more ppts. to obtain same amount of data

Question 19

Repeated measures

Answer 19

One group of ppts

The ppts take part in both conditions of the experiment

Question 20

Strengths of repeated measures

Answer 20

Does not need as many ppts

Quicker

Question 21

Limitations of repeated measures

Answer 21

Order effects
Boredom effect
May act to demand characteristics

Question 22

Matched pairs

Answer 22

The people for the experiment are tested before taking part and are matched for qualities into pairs

One member of the pair takes part in one conditions, the other in the other condition

Question 23

Strengths of matched pairs

Answer 23

No boredom effect
No order effect
Most accurate

Question 24

Limitations of matched pairs

Answer 24

Time consuming
Need a very large sample as it’s difficult to match ppts on key variables
Not possible to control all variables as you can only match on variables known to be relevant

Question 25

Dealing with limitations of independent groups

Answer 25

Individual differences - randomisation | Distributes ppts variables evenly

Question 26

How to deal with limitation of repeated measures

Answer 26

Counterbalancing - either AB or BA or ABBA

Question 27

How to deal with limitation of matched pairs

Answer 27

Restrict no. of variables to match on to make it easier | Conduct a pilot study to consider key variables that might be important when matching

Question 28

Mutually exclusive experiment types

Answer 28

Lab and Field | Natural and Quasi

Question 29

Lab experiment

Answer 29

Researcher controls as many variables as possible | Usually done in a lab using standardised procedures

Question 30

Strengths of Lab experiment

Answer 30

High replicability High external validity High internal validity

Question 31

Limittions of Lab experiment

Answer 31

Lacks mundane realism | Low ecological validity

Question 32

Field experiment

Answer 32

An experiment performed in the natural environment of those being studied

Question 33

Strengths of Field experiments

Answer 33

Ppts not aware they're being studied; no demand characteristics High ecological validity

Question 34

Limitations of Field experiment

Answer 34

Time consuming and expensive Low internal validity, can't control several extraneous variables Unethical

Question 35

Natural experiment

Answer 35

An experiment conducted when it is not possible (ethically or practicality), to deliberately manipulate the IV. It is said that the IV occurs 'naturally' e.g. brain damage patients

Question 36

Strengths of Natural experiments

Answer 36

Increased mundane realism | Allows research where IV cant be practically/manipulated

Question 37

Limitations of Natural experiments

Answer 37

Cant demonstrate relationships | Cant control confounding variables

Question 38

Quasi experiments

Answer 38

Researcher makes use of naturally occurring differences between people(climate)

Question 39

Strengths of Quasi experiments

Answer 39

Allows comparison between types of people

Question 40

Limitations of Quasi experiments

Answer 40

Can only be used where conditions vary naturally Low internal validity Low ecological validity

Question 41

Target population

Answer 41

Group of people that the researcher is interested in

Question 42

Types of sampling

Answer 42

``` V - volunteer R - random O - opportunity S - stratified S - systematic ```

Question 43

Random sample

Answer 43

Form of sampling in which all members of a target population is obtained and they each have an equal chance of being selected

Question 44

Strengths of random sample

Answer 44

Prevents researcher bias

Question 45

Limitations of random sample

Answer 45

Difficult Time consuming Ppts may refuse to take part Sample may be unrepresentative

Question 46

Systematic sample

Answer 46

Where every nth member of the population is selected

Question 47

Strengths of systematic samples

Answer 47

Avoids researcher bias | Usually fairly representative

Question 48

Limitations of systematic samples

Answer 48

Not truly representative unless you choose the number randomly

Question 49

Stratified sampling

Answer 49

Composition of the sample reflects the proportions of prople in certain sub groups

Question 50

Strengths of stratified sampling

Answer 50

Avoids researcher bias | Sample is representative

Question 51

Limitations of stratified sampling

Answer 51

Not fully representative as population cannot be separated by just one strata

Question 52

Volunteer sample

Answer 52

Self selected | Ppts choose to be part of the studying

Question 53

Strengths of a volunteer sample

Answer 53

Easy Minimal input Less time consuming

Question 54

Limitations of volunteer sample

Answer 54

Volunteer bias - attracting a certain type of person

Question 55

Opportunity sample

Answer 55

Selecting those who are readily available

Question 56

Strengths of opportunity sample

Answer 56

Convenient Cheap Time and effort is saved

Question 57

Limitations of opportunity samples

Answer 57

Unrepresentative | Researcher bias

Question 58

Single blind procedures

Answer 58

Ppt is unaware of the research aims and/or which condition of the experiment they are receiving Prevents ppts from seeking cues about the aims and reacting to them

Question 59

Double blind procedure

Answer 59

Both the ppt and the person conducting the research are ‘blind’ to the aims and/or hypotheses Person conducting experiment is less likely to produce cues about what they expect

Question 60

Naturalistic observation

Answer 60

Behaviour is studied in a natural situation

Question 61

Evaluation of naturalistic observation

Answer 61

Realistic picture Increased ecological validity Lack of control

Question 62

Controlled observation

Answer 62

Form of investigation in which behaviour is observed but under conditions where certain variables have been organised by researcher

Question 63

Evaluation of controlled observation

Answer 63

Establish cause and effect | Makes environment feel unnatural