Research Methods Year 1

Question 1

what is an experimental method

Answer 1

manipulation of IV to measure effect on DV

Question 2

what is an aim

Answer 2

statement of what intend to investigate

Question 3

what is a hypothosis

Answer 3

clear, testable statement that you test throughout the research

Question 4

what is a non-directional hypothosis

Answer 4

doesnt state direction, just what will happen

Question 5

what is a directional hypothosis

Answer 5

states direction of the difference/relationship

Question 6

what is a variable

Answer 6

anything that can change within an investigation

Question 7

what is an independent variable

Answer 7

what we change

Question 8

what is a dependent variable

Answer 8

what we measure

Question 9

what is an extraneous variable

Answer 9

any variable other than IV that may affect DV if arnt controlled

Question 10

what is a demand characterisitc

Answer 10

anything the investigator does that may reveal purpose of investigation, encouraging ptps to act certain way

Question 11

define investigator effect

Answer 11

any effect of investigators behaviour on DV

Question 12

define randomisation

Answer 12

use of chance methods to reduce bias

Question 13

define standardisation

Answer 13

use exact same procedure and instructions for all ptps in study

Question 14

what is experimental design

Answer 14

ways ptps organised in relation to experimental conditions

Question 15

what is independent group design

Answer 15

ptps allocated different groups, each group represents one condition

Question 16

what is repeated measure

Answer 16

all ptps take part in all conditions

Question 17

what is matched pairs design

Answer 17

pairs of ptps matched on variables that may affect DV, then one member of pair assigned to condition A, other condition B

Question 18

what is random allocation

Answer 18

attempt to control for particular variables in an independent group design, ensuring each ptp has same chance for being in all conditions

Question 19

what is counterbalancing

Answer 19

half ptps have conditions in one order, other half in opposite order

Question 20

what is a lab experiment

Answer 20

controlled environment where IV manipulated and record effects on DV, strict control on EV

Question 21

what is a field experiment

Answer 21

in natural setting where IV manipulated, records effect on DV

Question 22

what is a natural experiment

Answer 22

change in IV not brought about by researcher, but naturally occuring. records effect on DV

Question 23

what is a quasi experiment

Answer 23

IV not determined, variables simply exist

Question 24

define population

Answer 24

group researcher is interested in

Question 25

define sample

Answer 25

smaller percentage from population

Question 26

define sampling technique

Answer 26

method of selecting sample from population

Question 27

define bias

Answer 27

certain groups over or under represented in a sample

Question 28

define generalisation

Answer 28

extent to which findings can be applied to whole population

Question 29

define ethical issues

Answer 29

conflict between ptps rights and goal of the research

Question 30

what is a pilot study

Answer 30

small scale version of investigation to check procedures, materials, measuring scales etc to make any changes

Question 31

what is a naturalistic observation

Answer 31

watch and record behaviour in setting it normally occurs

Question 32

what is a controlled observation

Answer 32

watch and record behaviour in structured environment

Question 33

what is a covert observation

Answer 33

ptps behaviour watched and recorded without their knowledge

Question 34

what is overt observation

Answer 34

ptps behaviour watched and recorded with their knowledge

Question 35

what is participant observation

Answer 35

researcher becomes member of group their watching

Question 36

what is non-participant observation

Answer 36

researcher remains outside group when observing

Question 37

what are behavioural catagories

Answer 37

target behaviour broken up into observable and measurable components

Question 38

what is event sampling

Answer 38

target behaviour/event established then record every time happens

Question 39

what is time sampling

Answer 39

target individual or group established, researcher records behaviour in fixed time

Question 40

what are self report techniques

Answer 40

person has to state/explain own ideas experiences etc

Question 41

what is a questionnaire

Answer 41

set of questions to asses thoughts/experiences

Question 42

what is an interview

Answer 42

one person asks questions, other answers

Question 43

what are the different types of interviews

Answer 43

* structured or unstructured * open or closed * face to face * telephone

Question 44

what is an open question

Answer 44

no fixed choice or response, answer how wish

Question 45

what is a closed question

Answer 45

fixed choice of answers

Question 46

what is a correlation

Answer 46

assses association between 2 variables

Question 47

what is a co-variable

Answer 47

variables investigated within a correlation

Question 48

what is a positive correlation

Answer 48

as one co-variable increases so does another

Question 49

what is a negative correlation

Answer 49

as one co-variable increases the other decreases

Question 50

what is a zero correlation

Answer 50

no relationship between covariables

Question 51

what is meta analysis

Answer 51

combining findings of numerous studies on a particular topic to produce overall statistical conclusion

Question 52

what is descriptive statistics

Answer 52

use of graphs, tables and summary statistics to identify trends and analyse sets of data

Question 53

what are measures of central tendency

Answer 53

any measure of the average value in data set

Question 54

what is mean

Answer 54

add all values and divide by how many to get average

Question 55

what is median

Answer 55

middle value

Question 56

what is mode

Answer 56

most common value

Question 57

what is a scattergram

Answer 57

graph that represents strength and direction of relationship between co-variables in a correlation analysis

Question 58

what is a bar chart

Answer 58

graph where frequency of each variable is represented by height of bar

Question 59

what is a histogram

Answer 59

graph showing frequency through the area of bar

Question 60

what is statistical testing

Answer 60

way of determining if hypotheses should be accepted or rejected, find out if difference/relationship between variables significant or chance

Question 61

what is sign test

Answer 61

statistical test analysing different scores between related items

Question 62

what is peer review

Answer 62

assessment of scientific work by field specialists to ensure research of high quality before published

Question 63

What is a single blind design

Answer 63

Pros unaware of researchers aim

Question 64

What is deception

Answer 64

Not revealing/ lying about study’s aim

Question 65

What 5 ethics must a study have

Answer 65

* deception * withdrawal * consent * protection from harm * privacy

Question 66

What is the indirect investigator effect

Answer 66

Cues from investigator that encourages curtain behaviour

Question 67

What is the indirect investigator effect

Answer 67

Cues from investigator that encourages curtain behaviour

Question 68

What is a double blind trial

Answer 68

Ptps and conductor unaware of aims and hypothesis

Question 69

Pro of independent group studies

Answer 69

Harder to guess aim as ptps not redoing study

Question 70

Con of independent group study

Answer 70

Expensive as need high recruitment

Question 71

Pro of repeated measure study’s

Answer 71

Cheap and quick

Question 72

Con of repeated measure

Answer 72

May work out study’s aim

Question 73

Pro of matched pair study

Answer 73

Order effects minimised

Question 74

Con of matched pairs

Answer 74

Time consuming and complex to organise