Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

psychology > Research methods year 2 > Flashcards

Research methods year 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What are correlations

A

A mathematical technique in which a researcher investigates an association between two variables, called co variables

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

What are correlation coefficients

A

A number between -1 and +1 that represents the direction and strength of a relationship between co variables plotted on a scattergram

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

What are case studies

A

-Detailed analysis of an unusual individual or event e.g London riots
-Can also be typical behaviours
-May involve a case history
-Qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (psychological tests)
-Tend to be longitudional

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

Evaluate case studies

A

-Insight into unusual cases e.g HM may provide understanding of normal function
-Generate hypotheses for future study
-Generalisations from small sample is a problem and conclusions based off subjective interpretation of the researcher, plus subjective data from participants

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

What is a content analysis

A

-Form of observation in which communication is studied indirectly
-Coding and quantitative data: data must be categorised into meaningful units (and then analysed by converting words, etc)
-Thematic analysis and qualitative data: Recurrent ideas (themes) that keep “cropping up” in the communication are identified and described

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Evaluate Content analysis

A

-Fewer ethical issues
-High external validity
-Flexible approach because it can be adapted
-Information may be studied out of context and be subjective
-Reflexivity aims to address the issues of bias

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is reliability

A

Any measurement should produce the same result unless the thing has measured is changed

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

Name the ways of assessing reliability

A

-Test retest
-Inter observer reliability
-Measuring reliability

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

What are test retests

A

The same test is administered to the same person on a different occasion and results are compared

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

What is inter observer reliability

A

Observers compare data done in a pilot study or at end of actual study to make sure behavioural categories are consistently applied

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

How do you measure reliability

A

Two sets of scores at least +.80 to be reliable

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

How do you improve reliability in questionnaires

A

If a questionnaire has a low test retest reliability, same items may need to be changed to closed questions as these are less ambiguous

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

How do you improve reliability in interviews

A

-Should avoid questions that are leading or ambiguous
-Ensure interviewers are trained

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

How do you improve reliability in observations

A

-Behavioural categories should be properly operationalised
-More training may be needed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How do you improve reliability in experiments

A

Standardised procedures ensures consistency when testing different participants

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

What is validity

A

Whether a test, scale, etc produces a legitimate result which represents behaviour in the real world

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Name the types of validity

A

-Internal and external validity
-Ecological validity
-Temporal validity

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

What is internal and external validity

A

Whether something measures what it was designed to measure and whether the findings can be generalised externally

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

What is ecological validity

A

-Extent to which findings can be generalised from one setting to another
-Mundane realism of a task may affect ecological validity

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

What is temporal validity

A

-Whether findings from a study holds true over time

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

What are the two ways of assessing validity

A

-Face validity
-Concurrent validity

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

What is face validity

A

Does a test measure what it is supposed to “on the face of it?”

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

What is concurrent validity

A

The extent to which a psychological measure relates to an existing similar measure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

How do you improve validity in experimental research

A

-Use of a control group
-Standardised procedures
-Single and double bind procedures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
How do you improve validity in questionnaires
Use of line scales and anonymity to reduce social desirability bias
26
How do you improve validity in observations
-Use of covert observations so behaviour is more authentic -Use well defined behavioural categories
27
How do you improve validity in qualitative research
Depth and detail may increase validity but further enhanced through triangulation
28
What is triangulation
Using a number of different sources as evidence
29
What is a statistical test
Determing whether we can accept or reject the null hypothesis
30
What is the first decision on a statistical test
Difference or correlation: Correlation includes a test of association (chi squared)
31
What is the second decision on a statistical test
Experimental design: related (repeated measures or matched pairs) or unrelated (independent groups)
32
What is the third decision on a statistical test
Decide the different levels of measurement: -Nominal data -Ordinal data -Interval data
33
What is a nominal data
Data represented in the form of categories e.g how man students like psychology or don't like psychology in your test
34
What is ordinal data
-Ordinal data, but unequal intervals -Can be placed in rank order e.g rating your liking of psychology on a 1-10 scale
35
What is interval data
Based on numerical and public scales of measurement with units of equal size e.g length, temperature
36
What is a null hypothesis
-No difference will be found between conditions -Statistical tests determine whether this statement should be accepted or rejected
37
What is level of significance and probability
-Statistical tests work on the basis of probability rather than certainty -The sigfnificance level is the point at which researches can accept the alternative hypothesis which is usually 5% in psychology
38
What is the calculated value
The value of a test statistic calculated for a particular data set
39
What is the critical value
When testing a hypothesis, the numerical cut off point or boundary between acceptance and rejection of the null hypothesis
40
What are type 1 errors
-Incorrect rejection of a true null hypothesis -More likely if significance level is too lenient e.g 10% -An optimistic error
41
What are type 2 errors
-Incorrect acceptance of a false null hypothesis -More likely if significance levels are too stringent e.g 1% -A pessimistic error
42
Name the different types of statistical tests
-Mann Whitney U -Wilcoxon T -Unrelated T test -Related T test -Spearman's rho -Pearson's r -Chi Squared -Sign test
43
What measure of central tendency and measure of dispersion is used for nominal data
-Mode -No measure of dispersion
44
What measure of central tendency and measure of dispersion is used for ordinal data
-Median -Range
45
What measure of central tendency and measure of dispersion is used for interval data
-Mean -Standard deviation
46
What are non parametric tests
-Mann Whitney U -Wilcoxon T
47
What is the Mann Whitney U test
-Test of difference between two sets of data -Unrelated design -Ordinal data
48
What is a Wilcoxon T test
-Test of difference between two sets of data -Related design -Ordinal data
49
What are parametric tests
-Unrelated t test -Related t test -Pearson's r -Data drawn from a population with an expected normal distribution and both data sets have a homogeneity of variance
50
What are unrelated t tests
-Test of difference between two data -Unrelated design -Interval data
51
What are related t tests
-Test of difference between two sets of data -Related design -Interval data -parametric tests
52
What are tests of correlation
-Spearman's rho -Pearson's r
53
What are Spearman's rho tests
-Test of correlation between co variables -Ordinal data
54
What are Pearson's r tests
-Tests of correlation between co variables -Interval data -Parametric test
55
What are chi squared tests
-Test of difference between two sets of data or association between co variables -Data is independent -nominal data
56
What is the rule of R
Tests with the letter "r" in their name are those where the calculated value must be equal to or more than the critical value
57
What is referencing
-List of sources (journals, articles, books, web sources) -Generally order is: Author Data Title Volume/page number/published/source
58
name the features of science
-Paradigms and Paradigm shifts -Theory construction and hypothesis testing -Falsifiability -Replicability -Objectivity and the empirical method
59
What are paradigms and paradigm shifts
Scientific subjects have a shared set of assumptions (Kuhn) and a scientific revolution occurs when there is a paradigm shift
60
What is theory construction and hypothesis testing
Theory construction occurs through gathering evidence from direct observation. A theory should produce a testable hypothesis, thus permitting the validity of the theory to be tested
61
What is falsifibiability
Scientific theories must hold themselves up for hypothesis testing and the possibility of being proven false
62
What is replicability
If a scientific theory is to be trusted (valid), its findings must be shown to be repeatable across time and context. The methods used should also be repeatable ie replicable
63
What is objectivity and the empirical method
Scientists must minimise all sources of personal bias and gather evidence through direct observation and expertise
64
What are Co-Variables

psychology (12 decks)

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