Research Methods (Paper 1) Keyword

Question 1

Age Bias

Answer 1

The study and its results are more
inclined towards a certain age group

Question 2

Closed Question

Answer 2

A question asked in a questionnaire that
can only be answered with simple,
predetermined options e.g yes/no

Question 3

Controlled Observation

Answer 3

An observation carried out in a controlled
environment, where the researcher can
directly manipulate the IV.

Question 4

Correlation

Answer 4

A correlational study researches the
relationship between two variables.
Correlations can be strong, weak and
positive or negative

Question 5

Covert Observation

Answer 5

An observation in which the participant is
unaware of the observer’s presence in
order to avoid demand characteristics.

Question 6

Cultural Bias

Answer 6

The study ignores cultural differences or
is inclined to accept the results from one
culture or ethnicity over another.

Question 7

Demand Characteristics

Answer 7

When a participant showcases particular
behaviours due to knowing they are
being studied/observed, making the
results unrealistic.

Question 8

Ecological Validity

Answer 8

The extent to which findings in a study
have the ability to be generalised to
real-life scenarios and still be valid.

Question 9

Ethnocentrism

Answer 9

When a study is conducted with a bias
towards one ethnic group or culture, for
example, including only one group and
generalising to multiple groups.

Question 10

Experimenter Bias

Answer 10

The researcher is biased towards certain
results or observations in order to fulfill
their predictions/ inherent beliefs.

Question 11

External Reliability

Answer 11

The extent to which a measure varies
from one use to the next.

Question 12

Extraneous Variable

Answer 12

A variable that is not controlled for in a
study and may affect the results (if it
does, it is called a Confounding
Variable).

Question 13

Face Validity

Answer 13

The extent to which a study appears to
do what it is supposed to - its
effectiveness.

Question 14

Field Experiment

Answer 14

An experiment conducted in the natural
environment to the participants, where
the IV is still controlled.

Question 15

Independent Measures Design

Answer 15

Every participant in a study is allocated
to only one of the IV conditions.

Question 16

Independent Variable

Answer 16

The variable that is
manipulated/changed.

Question 17

Internal Reliability

Answer 17

The extent to which the results are
consistent across the same measure.

Question 18

Inter-rater Reliability

Answer 18

A method of measuring the consistency
of a measure by assessing the measures
of multiple different observers or “raters”
to ensure similarities

Question 19

Laboratory Experiment

Answer 19

An experiment conducted in a controlled,
laboratory environment in which
variables are strictly controlled for and
standardised.

Question 20

Likert Rating Scale

Answer 20

A question is a questionnaire that
measures attitudes by having the
participant select a statement out of
those given that best suits their beliefs

Question 21

Longitudinal Study

Answer 21

A study in which data is gathered from
the same group of people over a period
of time in order to gain insight into the
development of the results.

Question 22

Matched Pairs Design

Answer 22

There are two or more groups of
participants in which participants within
are matched based on similar
characteristics, such as age, job, gender

Question 23

Naturalistic Observation

Answer 23

An observation in a natural environment
in which no variables are manipulated

Question 24

Non-participant Observation

Answer 24

An observation in which the observer is
not directly involved with the participants,
and instead observes separately.

Question 25

Null Hypothesis

Answer 25

A hypothesis that states there was no significant relationship between the variables being studied - this is accepted when statistical tests show no significance.

Question 26

Observation

Answer 26

An observation is a technique used to collect data by observing and recording behaviours in an environment - an IV may be manipulated or it may be naturalistic

Question 27

Observer Bias

Answer 27

When an observer conducting an observation has inherent or deliberate bias towards certain behaviours, conclusions or people

Question 28

One-tailed Hypothesis

Answer 28

A hypothesis that precisely predicts the direction of the relationship.

Question 29

Open Questions

Answer 29

Questions in a questionnaire or interview in which the participant may answer with as much detail as they wish.

Question 30

Opportunity Sampling

Answer 30

Participants are selected based on who is willing and available at the time of the study to participate, who is part of the target population.

Question 31

Order Effects

Answer 31

When the order in which participants experience each condition in a study affects the results.

Question 32

Overt Observation

Answer 32

An observation in which the participants are aware of the fact they are being observed for a psychological study.

Question 33

Participant Observation

Answer 33

An observation where the observer takes part in the experiment and interacts with the other participants, with their status unknown to the others.

Question 34

Population Validity

Answer 34

The extent to which the sample is representative of the target population.

Question 35

Questionnaire

Answer 35

A questionnaire is a way of collecting data in a fast and efficient way, providing participants with a set of questions and choice of answers for statistical study.

Question 36

Qualitative

Answer 36

Qualitative data is data that describes the attributes of the entity being researched.

Question 37

Quantitative

Answer 37

Quantitative data is data that can be measured and is usually numerical, with units associated

Question 38

Quasi Experiment

Answer 38

An experiment in which the independent variable is naturally established and cannot/ is unethical to manipulate.

Question 39

Rating Scale

Answer 39

Participants answer questions by selecting a numerical value to reflect their belief or perception of the topic.

Question 40

Random Sampling

Answer 40

When each member of the target population has equal chances of getting chosen to be a participant in the study.

Question 41

Reliability

Answer 41

The consistency of a measure gained through standardisation.

Question 42

Repeated Measures Design

Answer 42

Each participant is assigned to all the conditions in the study to check for internal consistency.

Question 43

Snapshot Study

Answer 43

Different groups of people are tested at the same point in time with the same measures to compare performances.

Question 44

Social Desirability

Answer 44

Describes the tendency of participants to respond in a way that they think is viewed favourably by others/socially acceptable, as opposed to their genuine beliefs.

Question 45

Structured Interview

Answer 45

An interview in which questions are pre-organised and the layout is strictly stuck to.

Question 46

Two-tailed Hypothesis

Answer 46

A hypothesis that does not specify the exact direction of the relationship, but predicts that there will be one.

Question 47

Type 1 Error

Answer 47

Incorrectly rejecting the null hypothesis which is true (FALSE POSITIVE)

Question 48

Type 2 Error

Answer 48

Incorrectly accepting a false null hypothesis (FALSE NEGATIVE)

Question 49

Unstructured Interview

Answer 49

An interview in which the general direction of conversation and topics are pre-determined, however the flow of the conversation can change with each individual.

Question 50

Validity

Answer 50

The accuracy of a test’s ability to measure what is is supposed to measure.

Question 51

Standardised Procedures

Answer 51

elements that remain the same and consistent throughout the study The key to replicating a study