Research Methods : Aims, Hypothesis, sampling and ethics Flashcards
(32 cards)
Define a research question
this is what you wish to answer and explore in your research
Define an aim
This outlines what the research is going to investigate
Define a hypothesis
This is a testable statement that predicts what the researcher expects their study to find
Define an alternate hypothesis
This is a statement of prediction between variables that can include a prediction of direction or no direction
Define a null hypothesis
A statement of prediction which suggests that there will be no difference or relationship found
Define a one tailed hypothesis
This predicts a direction of results
Define a two tailed hypothesis
Predicts a difference will be found, but is non directional so doesn’t specifically state what will be found
How do you write a one tailed hypothesis
‘participants who’
Talk about the IV
‘significantly more’ than …
How do you write a two tailed hypothesis
There will be a significant difference
Then talk about the DV
Between the two IV
How do you write a null hypothesis
no difference
Then talk about DV
the ‘any any difference found will be due to chance’
How do you structure an evaluation
Point = eg one strength is …
Example = eg for example ( context) …
Comment = eg this is a strength because ( context ) …
Define a target population
the group of people a psychologist wants to be able to generalise their findings to
Define a sample
Group of people selected to represent the target population
Define sampling
method/process of selecting participants from the population
Name the four methods of sampling plus their definitions
Volunteer = People who want to take part in research and put themselves forward usually via an ad that a psychologist has posted
opportunity = making use of the people readily available to you and willing to participate at the time
Random = When Every member in the target population has an equal chance of being selected, usually via a draw/ random number generator
Snowball = This is used when a population is hard to contact , and is achieved by asking participants to suggest someone else who may be willing or appropriate for the study
Give a strength and weakness of opportunity sampling
Strength = Easy, quick and economical way of gathering participants as psychologists simply use people they have access to
Weakness = Likely to produce a bias sample as certain types of people are selected from a limited area - may not be very representative. Researcher may also look for a specific type of people causing researcher bias
Give a strength and weakness of volunteer sampling
Strength = Gives a wide range of access to potential participants , its convenient and more ethical as you are more likely to gain informed consent
Weakness = Often unrepresentative as it can lead to a bias sample. The people likely to respond to adverts may have a similar ‘motivated’ disposition therefore, more likely to display demand characteristics
Give a strength and weakness of Random sampling
Strength = Least bias method of sampling as all members have an equal chance of being selected
Weakness = Difficult and time consuming to do if you have a large target population
Give a strength and weakness of Snowball sampling
Strength = Possible to include members of groups where there are no lists/ identifiable clusters
Weakness = No way of knowing whether your sample is representative of the population
Define ethics
The science of morals or rules of behaviour
Name The four ethical principles and their definitions
Respect = Respecting a person’s individual rights eg their privacy / informed decisions
Responsibility = Responsibility to keep participants safe within research
Integrity = Being honest and truthful with participants in research
Competence = As a competent researcher, have we followed guidelines properly / made suitable adjustments to overcome any that are broken
Name and define the ethical guidelines that come under the principle of respect
Informed consent = Where participants need to know the aim before agreeing to take part in a study
Confidentiality = No names or personal information should be publishes about a participant
Right to withdraw = Making participants aware that they can leave at any point in the study and withdraw any data gathered about them
Name and define the ethical guidelines that come under the principle of responsibility
Protection of participants = not causing any psychological or physical harm to participants - ensuring they leave the study the same way they entered
Debriefing = Telling participants exactly what happened to them and why at the end of the study , also ensuring no harm has come to participants
Name and define the ethical guidelines that come under the principle of integrity
Deception = being lied to at any part during research/ a study
