Research Methods Definitions Flashcards
(26 cards)
Define Aim of a study
It outlines what the research intends to investigate or understand.
The aim of a study is the purpose of a piece of research.
Define Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a prediction of what the results will be in a study. It can be directional (predicting the expected effect of a variable) or non-directional (predicting a difference but not the nature of the difference).
Explain the difference between independent and dependent variables in an experiment.
The independent variable (IV) is the variable manipulated or changed by the researcher. The dependent variable (DV) is the result, which should be affected by the change in IV. IVs and DVs must be operationalized, or put into a form which is measurable.
Define extraneous variables
Extraneous variables are variables other than the independent variable that may affect the dependent variable if not controlled for. They can potentially impact the results of experiments.
They are ‘extra’ ‘nuisance’ variables
Define confounding variables
Confounding variables are variables other than the independent variable that have (or almost certainly have) had an effect on the dependent variable. They vary systematically with the independent variable.
Define demand characteristics
Demand characteristics are clues which participants respond to when in an experimental situation.
Participants may try to guess the aim of a study and therefore change their behaviour accordingly.
Define Investigator effects
Investigator effects are any unwanted influences that the investigator or experimenter communicates to the participants which affects their behaviour. These can be minimized by the use of standardized instructions, or the double-blind procedure.
Define Random Allocation
Allocating participants to tasks, selecting samples of participants, and so on, should be left to chance as far as possible, to reduce the investigators’ influence on a study.
Define Standardization
Standardization is where the experience of an experiment is kept identical for every participant, as far as possible, for example using standardized instructions. This reduces the effect of extraneous or confounding variables.
Describe the difference between ‘Single and double-blind’ procedures
The single-blind procedure is when the participant does not know the aim of the study, reducing the possibility of demand characteristics from affecting the results.
Double-blind is when the investigator who deals with the participants also does not know the aim of the study, reducing the chance of investigator effects.
Define purpose of ‘Control groups’
Control groups are used for the purpose of comparison, often when testing the effects of a drug. One group of participants (the ‘experimental group’) will be given the real drug, another group a placebo. This can allow the researcher to directly compare the results of the two groups.
Define ‘Random’ sampling technique
In random sampling, each member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected. For example, using a random name or number generator, or picking names out of a hat.
Explain ‘Stratified’ sampling technique
A sample of participants produced by identifying subgroups according to the frequency in the population. Then participants are selected at random from the subgroup.
For example, if studying teachers, as there are more female than male teachers, there should be more female participants. Once these quotas are identified, the participants to fill them are selected at random from the target population.
Define ‘Opportunity’ sampling technique
In opportunity sampling, participants are selected from whoever is most easily available. For example, standing in the street one afternoon and approaching passers-by to see if they want to take part.
Describe ‘Volunteer’ sampling
A sample of participants that solely relies on volunteers to make up the sample i.e. a self-selected sample
For example, volunteers call the researcher as they have seen an advertisement on TV i.e. ‘volunteers’
Define ‘Pilot Studies’
‘Pilot Studies’ are small-scale trial runs of an experiment. They are conducted to check that the procedure works smoothly and that there are no misconceptions. Any problems can be addressed and the procedures amended for the real study.
Explain the concept of ‘Experimental Design’
‘Experimental Design’ refers to how participants are allocated to experimental conditions. It includes independent groups, repeated measures, and matched pairs.
Give the advantages and disadvantages of ‘Independent Groups’ in experimental design.
Advantages: participants are less likely to guess the aim of the study, and there are no order effects.
Disadvantages: there may be differences between the two groups of people, which may cause differences in the results. Twice as many participants are needed.
Give the advantages and disadvantages of ‘Repeated Measures’ in experimental design.
Advantages: there are no participant variables between the conditions, and fewer participants are needed.
Disadvantages: there are order effects which may influence the results. This can be addressed by counterbalancing.
Give the advantages and disadvantages of ‘Matched Pairs’ in experimental design.
Advantages: order effects and demand characteristics are less likely to have an impact, and participant variables are reduced.
Disadvantages: participants can never be matched perfectly, so there might still be some participant variables. Matched pairs is the most time-consuming and expensive design to use.
Describe the difference between ‘Structured’ and ‘Unstructured’ observational design.
‘Structured’ observational design involves focusing on particular behaviours or actions and only recording these. ‘Unstructured’ observational design involves recording everything that is going on.
What are the two sampling methods used in unstructured observations?
The two sampling methods used in unstructured observations are event sampling and time sampling.
- Event sampling is when a record is made of each example of a particular behaviour during the observation.
- Time sampling is when behaviours are recorded in a specific timeframe.
Define ‘Inter-observer reliability’ in observational research.
Inter-observer reliability refers to the level of agreement between different observers. It is used to lessen the risk of ‘observer bias’ affecting the results. The level of reliability is worked out by correlating the pairs of observations made.
Describe the different types of questions that can be used in a questionnaire.
Questionnaires can use open or closed questions.
Open Questions - free to answer in any way they wish = no fixed range of answers
Closed Questions - offers a fixed number of responses e.g. ‘yes or no’ style questions
