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Psychology: Paper 2 > Research methods > Flashcards

Research methods Flashcards

1
Q

Types of validity

A

face
concurrent
ecological
temporal

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2
Q

Face validity

A

where a behaviour appears at first sight (on the face of It ) to represent what is being measured

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3
Q

Concurrent validity

A

Comparing a new test with an existing test of the same nature to see if they produce similar results

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4
Q

Ecological validity

A

Where a measure of behaviour accurately reflects the way in which the behaviour would occur in normal circumstances

the extent to which the results and conclusions are generalisable to real life.

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5
Q

Temporal validity

A

Where findings from research that took place at a certain point in time accurately reflect the way that behaviour would occur at a different point in time

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6
Q

Types of experiments

A

Laboratory
Natural
Quasi
Field

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7
Q

What is validity?

A

the extent to which findings or conclusions of a study are actually measuring what they claim to be measuring

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8
Q

Internal validity

A

the measure of the experimenter’s measurement of the dependent variable.

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9
Q

Internal validity - stopwatch example

A

measuring the reaction times of a person with a stopwatch.

Can you see an problem with this measurement?

The problem is that the person with the stopwatch has to also react. So, we would expect that this measurement is invalid.
use a video camera.

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10
Q

external validity

A

the extent to which findings can be generalised

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11
Q

Why is it important to have high external validity?

A

Important to have high levels of external validity because this directly affects the usefulness of the results and conclusions of the study

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12
Q

Population validity

A

the extent to which the sample can be generalised to similar and wider populations.

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13
Q

Why is population validity important?

A

This type of validity is important because without it the research becomes low in usefulness

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14
Q

Aim

A

a statement which describes the overall purpose of the research

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15
Q

Hypothesis

A

Statements or predictions about what the researcher expects to find.
Predictions might be based on prior research or existing theories

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16
Q

Method

A

How the research is carried out

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17
Q

When are directional hypotheses chosen?

A

if research is a replication of previous research

If a particular result has been found in the past, it is more likely that the same thing will be found again.

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18
Q

Operationalisation of variables

A

Process of avoiding ambiguity and maintaining internal validity by making variables and hypotheses clear and measurable.

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19
Q

Example of a null hypothesis

A

Breaking the rules about school uniform is not affected by gender and any difference is DUE TO CHANCE

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20
Q

Directional hypothesis

A

gives a direction in which the difference goes (i.e. higher, smaller)

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21
Q

Non-directional hypothesis

A

states that there will be a difference.

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22
Q

random sampling

A

gives every member of a target an equal chance of selecition

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23
Q

systemic sampling

A

every nth person is selected

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24
Q

Stratified sampling

A

groups of pp’s are selected in proportion to their frequency in their population to obtain a representative sample

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25
Opportunity sampling
PP's who are in the right place at the right time | most easily available at the time of study
26
Volunteer sampling
Ask people whether they are interested in taking part via an advertisement
27
pilot studies
a small-scale trial run of a research before doing the real thing
28
covert
concealed, hidden, done in secret.
29
Repeated measures
each pp takes part in all conditions
30
Independent groups
each pp only takes part in one condition
31
Matched pairs
where different but similar participants are used in each condition of the experiment. matched on characteristics such as age or ability.
32
independent variable
variable that is manipulated by the researcher to measure its effect on the dependent variable.
33
Dependent variable
what is measured
34
Confounding variable
things that might affect research findings other than the IV.
35
Extraneous variable
Any variable, other than the IV, that may have an effect on the DV Should be controlled at the start of the study
36
Confounding variable
any variable, other than the IV, that has affected the DV
37
Counterbalancing
a technique used to deal with order effects when using a repeated measures design E.g. first 10 pp's complete condition A then B remaining 10 pp's complete condition B then A
38
randomisation
the use of chance in order to control for the effects of bias when designing materials suitable in an experiment with may diff lvls of IV
39
Lab experiment
controlled experiment conducted in an artificial setting participants know they're being studied
40
demand characteristics
Occur when pp's try to make sense of the experiment and act accordingly to support aim of research
41
Natural experiment
DONT affect the IV by yourself bc highly unethical
42
British psychology society's code of ethics
Document which details general principles that apply to use of human pp's in all research contexts
43
overt
in the open, not concealed/ hidden | participants are aware that they are being observed
44
test-retest reliability
A way of assessing the external reliability of a research tool testing and testing again on a diff occasion using exact same conditions and pp's
45
non-participant observation
when the researcher remains separate from the group they are studying
46
objectivity
means research isn't affected by personal feelings of the researcher
47
falsifiability
Principle that a theory only considered scientific IF it was possible to establish it as false
48
theory construct
theory - a proposed explanation for causes of behaviour theory needs to be a logically organised set of propositions that: defines events describes relationships among events explains and predicts occurrence of events should offer a testable hypothesis that can be rigorously tested
49
paradigm
A framework containing commonly accepted view about a subject
50
paradigm shift
A fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions
51
matched pairs - disadvantage
difficult to carry out - hard to match pp's on certain criteria
52
Quantitative data
numerical | can be analysed statistically
53
correlation coefficient
measures the strength of a correction -1.0 = perfect negative +1.0 = perfect positive
54
qualitative data
Expressed though detailed descriptions/words Concerned with the quality of behaviour of an experience; feelings and emotions.
55
Thematic analysis
1) convert qualitative date into quantitative 2) data reviewed repeatedly so researcher can identify trends 3) themes re-analysed so become more defined 4) The themes identified can be used to support of challenge existing theories
56
Type 2 error
think results weren't significant but are
57
peer review - purpose
make it more scientific for objectivity | person carrying out research is impartial to results
58
Why peer review?
decide on future Gov funding | improve credibility of the field
59
representative
a smile that accurately represents the population being studied e.g. stratified sampling
60
naturalistic observations
watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which it would normally occur
61
controlled observation
watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment i.e where some variables are managed e.g. Ainsworth strange situation
62
positive correlation
as one co-variable increases, so does the other | e.g. amount of people in a room and noise
63
negative correlation
as one co-variable increases, the other decreases
64
correlation
assess the strength and direction of an association between 2 variables
65
structured interview
pre-determined list of behaviours to quantify observations | e..g behavioural categories
66
unstructured interview
researcher records everything they see | producing accounts of behaviour in rich detail
67
investigator effects
Researcher (consciously/unconsciously) acts in a way to support their prediction
68
primary data
obtained first-hand by researcher
69
secondary data
already exists before investigation, someone else has collected the info more convenient than gathering primary data
70
zero correlation
No relation between 2 co-variables
71
What are the 4 major principles of BPS Code of Ethics?
Respect Competence Responsibility Integrity
72
Why are demand characteristics an issue?
Participants may behave in a way to support the hypothesis (please-you effect) Makes results much less valid Conversely, pp's may try to disrupt results (screw-you effect)
73
Empirical method
The use of an objective, quantitative observation in a systemically controlled, replicable situation to test/refine a theory
74
Content analysis
1) Researchers establish aim and hypothesis 2) familiarise self with data so coding system can develop 3) researcher systematically re-analysis data to identify example of each code disadvantage = themes are subjective, lack objectivity
75
type 1 error
think results were significant, but weren't
76
generalisation
Application of results from a study, to the wide target population. Findings from original sample will be the same for everyone else in the target population
77
peer review - process
Before publication, paper/book sent to other academics of same field Suggest improvements Can be improved or rejected
78
pilot study
a small-scale study of the real study
79
inter-rater reliability
The extent to which two or more observers are observing and recording behaviour in the same way
80
behavioural categories
Breaking down the target behaviour (e.g. aggression) into components that can be observed and measured (e.g. hitting, kicking)
81
time sampling
Observer records behaviour at prescribed time intervals | e.g. every 15 mins
82
Questionnaire: open questions
don't have fixed responses, pp's aren't restricted on answers generates qualitative data
83
Questionnaire: closed questions
Restricts pp to a predetermined set of responses | generates quantitative data
84
Quasi experiment
Contains a naturally occurring IV | E.g. looking at effect of gender or intelligence
85
natural experiment
dont affect IV yourself, bc highly unethical
86
field experiment
controlled experiment conducted in an ordinary setting pp's unaware they're being tested
87
objectivity
Not affected by personal feelings of the researcher
88
standardisation
procedures used in research are kept the same
89
Participant observation
research is directly involved in experiment
90
Participant observation
research is directly involved in experiment
91
What is reliability?
refers to the consistency of research study; whether it can be repeated and produce the same results

Psychology: Paper 2 (16 decks)

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