Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Psychology > Research Methods AS L1 - 4 (experiments, observations, interviews, correlations) > Flashcards

Research Methods AS L1 - 4 (experiments, observations, interviews, correlations) Flashcards

1
Q

Independent Variable and its purpose:

A

Variable that the researcher manipulates in order to determine its effect on the dependent variable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is it called when the independent variable is divided into levels?

A

Experimental conditions eg. 10g, 20g, 30g

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Control condition:

A

IV is not manipulated at all

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Dependent variable:

A

Variable that is being measured

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Confounding variable

A

Any variables, other than IV, that HAVE affected the DV eg noise in room

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What does a successful experiment require and what does this mean?

A
  • Operationalised IV and DV
  • Operationalisation = Defining the variables and stating how they will be measured
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Laboratory experiment:

A
  • An experiment carried out in controlled conditions, allowing high control over IV and elimination of EV
  • Pps randomly allocated to a condition using bias-free method
  • Conducted in artificial setting
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Extraneous variable (give example):

A

Variable that COULD have affected DV eg. Pp’s personal experiences

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of lab experiments:

A

+ Highly controlled IV
+ Cause and effect relationship can be established
+ Reliable results
- Demand characteristics including social desirability bias
- Often lack mundane realism/ecological validity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Social desirability bias:

A

Participants behave in a more positive light than normal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Mundane realism:

A

Extent to which an experiment reflects real life

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Field experiment:

A

Experiment carried out in natural setting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of field experiments:

A

+ Greater mundane realism/ecological validity
+ Cause and effect relationship can be established
+ Less chance for demand characteristics
- Less control over EV
- Less control over sample (may not be representative)
- May be unreliable and difficult to replicate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Sample:

A

Whoever is taking part in experiment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Natural experiment:

A
  • An experiment where the researcher takes advantage of a naturally occurring IV (not directly caused by the experimenter) eg. single-sex schools
  • Participants already meet the conditions of experiment
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of natural experiment:

A

+ High level of mundane realism/ecological validity
+ Very useful when it is impossible/unethical to manipulate IV
- Low control over EV
- Difficult to replicate/unreliable results
- Difficult to establish cause and effect relationship

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Quasi experiment:

A
  • An experiment where IV is naturally occurring and exists all the time eg. Age, gender
  • Usually take place in lab
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of Quasi experiments:

A

+ High level of control over IV
+ Replication is very likely
- Lack of ecological validity
- Demand characteristics may be shown

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Observation:

A

When a researcher watches/listens to pps engaging in whatever behaviour is being studied

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Non-participant observation:

A

When researcher does not get directly involved with the interactions of the pps or participate in their activities

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of Non-participant observation:

A

+ Won’t risk missing details as they only have one sole responsibility
+ Demand characteristics may be shown as pps may notice they are being observed
- Lack a deeper understanding of observed behaviour as they are not involved

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Participant Observation:

A

When researcher is directly involved with the interactions of the pps and participates in their activities

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Strengths and weaknesses of Participant observation:

A

+ Psychologist has an understanding of the activities themselves
- May miss details as they have multiple things to do
- Risk of bias as objectivity may be lost

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Covert observation:

A
  • Psychologist goes undercover and does not reveal their true identity
  • May give themselves a new identity
24
Strengths and weaknesses of Covert observation:
+ Demand characteristics will not be shown - Ethical issues of deception
25
Overt observation:
- Psychologist reveals their true identity
26
Strengths and weaknesses of Overt observation:
+ No ethical issues as deception is avoided + Participants can give fully informed consent - Demand characteristics (observer effects) may be shown
27
Naturalistic observation:
- Participants are observed in their natural environment - No deliberate manipulation of IV
28
Strengths and weaknesses of Naturalistic observation:
+ Reduced chance of observer effect + High mundane realism + Useful when it is unethical/impractical to manipulate IV - No control over EV - Cause and effect relationship cannot be established - Risk of observer bias due to lack of control
29
Controlled observation:
- Researcher observes pps in a controlled environment - Allows for manipulation of IV
30
Strengths and weaknesses of Controlled observation:
+ Cause and effect can be determined due to high control + EV can be controlled + Likely to yield rich and detailed qualitative data - Lack of mundane realism - Observer effects can occur - Risk of observer bias
31
Two types of sampling procedures:
- Event sampling - Time-interval sampling
32
Event sampling:
- All occurrences of the types of behaviour the researcher is interested in is recorded - Any other behaviour is ignored
33
Time-interval sampling:
- Observation only takes place during specific time periods - Occurrences are only measured in this time frame
34
Self-report techniques:
Research methods where pp gives info about themselves w/out researcher interference
35
Interviews:
Researcher asks questions in face-to-face situations
36
3 types of interviews:
1) Structured 2) Unstructured 3) Semi-structured
37
Structured interview:
- Same questions asked in same order - Provides quantitative data - Usually has closed questions
38
Strengths and weaknesses of structured interview:
+ Question can be repeated to aid understanding + Quick - Risk of interviewer effect - Lack qualitative data
39
Unstructured interview:
- Informal in-depth conversational exchange - Questions are not pre-planned but may consist of themes - Provides qualitative data - Usually open questions about opinions
40
Strengths and weaknesses of unstructured interview:
+ Useful for investigating sensitive/controversial topics - Risk of social desirability bias - Interviewers must be well-trained, which can be time-consuming and expensive
41
Semi-structured interview:
- Mixture of structured + unstructured techniques - Produces both qualitative + quantitative data - Closed + open questions - Some questions are pre-planned, others are based on themes
42
Strengths and weaknesses of semi-structured interview:
+ Includes best of both methods + Quicker than unstructured interviews - Risk of social desirability bias - Answers may be irrelevant to interview topic - Risk of interviewer effect - Responses may be harder to analyse
43
Closed questions:
- Pps either answer yes/no or choose from fixed responses - Quantitative data
44
Open questions:
- Pp can answer in their own words - Qualitative data
45
Interviewer effect:
Where an interviewer may inadvertently affect respondent's answers due to factors such as manner and appearance
46
Qualitative data:
Non-numerical data that uses words to give a description of what ppl think and feel
47
Quantitative data:
Data that represents how much there is of something
48
Questionnaire:
- Pps are given a written set of questions and instructions about how to record their answers - Can be self-administered, delivered by post, Internet or face-to-face
49
What factors should be considered when designing a questionnaire?
- Type of data required --> qualitative/quantitative affects whether open/closed questions are asked - Ambiguity --> avoid vague questions - Double barrelled questions --> Avoid 2 in 1 questions - Leading questions - Complexity --> avoid jargon
50
Strengths and weaknesses of questionnaires:
+ Quick, easy + cheap compared to interviews + Possible to have large sample + Easy to replicate/ Reliable results - Questions can be ambiguous - No researcher present so ambiguous questions cannot be clarified + pps cannot be reminded to fill in questionnaires (could be unanswered/ filled in and unreturned) - Can have low response rate if sent by post
51
Correlation:
Technique for analysing strength of relationship between 2 quantitative variables (co-variables)
52
Positive correlation:
As one variable increases, the other variable also increases
53
Negative correlation:
As one variable increases, the other decreases
54
No correlation:
No relationship between the 2 variables
55
What is the range of numbers for the strength of a correlation, which refers to a strong positive, strong negative and no correlation and what is the strength of a correlation known as?
- Range: -1 to 1 - Strong positive is closer to 1 - Strong negative is closer to -1 - No correlation is zero - Strength of correlation = Correlation coefficient
56
What are correlations plotted on?
Scatter graph/ scattergram
57
Strengths and weaknesses of correlations:
+ Strength of relationship can be established + precisely measured + Allow researchers to investigate things that would be unethical/impractical to manipulate experimentally + Predictions can be made about one of the variables based on info about the other variable - Cause and effect unclear (correlation or causation?) - Possible 3rd unknown variable involved rather than a correlation - Can only measure linear relationships not curvilinear ones
58
Curvilinear relationships:
Positive relationship up to one point but then the relationship becomes negative

Psychology (37 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions