Research Methods (Yr 1)

Question 1

what is an experimental method

Answer 1

concerns the mainipulation of an IV to have a effect on the DV

Question 2

what’s an aim

Answer 2

general statement made by the researcher, tells us what they plan on investigating

Question 3

what’s a hypothesis

Answer 3

precise statement that clearly states the relationship between the variables being investigated
1. directional = states expected direction of the results
2. non-directional = doesn’t state direction of results

Question 4

what’s an extreaneous variable

Answer 4

any other variable other than IV affects the DV, essentially a nusience variable

Question 5

what’s a confounding variable

Answer 5

any other variable that affects the IV apart from the DV
they change systematically with the IV and is difficult for the researcher to be sure of their origin of the impact

Question 6

what are demand characteristics

Answer 6

where the ppts feel as if they can guess the aim of the experiment
1. please you effect - help researcher prove what they’re investigating
2. screw you effect - purposefully sabotage the experiment

Question 7

what are investigator effects

Answer 7

any unwanted influence from the researcher behviour, concious or unconcious

Question 8

what is randomisation

Answer 8

the use of chance to control effects of bias from Investigator effects

Question 9

what are participant variables, give examples

Answer 9

show individual differences between participants
e.g. personality, age, gender, intelligence

Question 10

what are situational variables, give examples

Answer 10

features of the experimental situation that affects the DV
e.g. noise, time of day, instructions, weather

Question 11

what is standardistaion

Answer 11

using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for every single ppts involved in research

Question 12

what’s a laboratory experiment

Answer 12

researcher has the ability to control as many variables as possible
the process is highly structured and procedures are standardised

Question 13

what’s a field experiment

Answer 13

conducted in the real world, the IV is still manipulated

Question 14

what is a natural experiment

Answer 14

IV occurs naturally and isn’t manipulated by the researcher, can take place in both artificial and real-life situations
IV= situational variable

Question 15

what’s a quasi experiment

Answer 15

IV is based on existing differences between people
IV= participant variable

Question 16

what is opportunity sampling

Answer 16

ppts happen to be available at the time of the experiment, recruited conveniently

Question 17

what’s random sampling

Answer 17

all members of a population have equal chances of being selected, random generator and complete list of population is needed

Question 18

what’s systematic sampling

Answer 18

every nth person in a sampling frame is selected

Question 19

what’s stratified sampling

Answer 19

aims to represents each sub-group (strata) in a realistic manner

Question 20

what’s voluenteer sampling

Answer 20

involves self-selection as ppts selected themselves to take part

Question 21

what’s an independent groups design

Answer 21

different ppts are used in each condition, meaning they only participate in one condition

Question 22

what’s a repeated measures design

Answer 22

same ppts take part in each condition, each condition involves the same group of ppts

Question 23

what’s a matched pairs design

Answer 23

ppts are matched through coupling from similar attributes, one member does one condition and the other does another

Question 24

what’s a pilot study

Answer 24

small-scale version of the investigation which is done before real investigation

Question 25

what are the aims of a pilot study

Answer 25

- may use handful of ppts rather than full amount - used for questionnaires and interviews - in observations, method of recording behaviours in checked - identifies potential issues, allows modifications - saves time and money in the long run

Question 26

what's a single-blind procedure

Answer 26

researchers don't tell ppts the true aim (e.g. that they're being given a test treatment or control treatment) this reduces demand characteristics

Question 27

what's a double-blind procedure

Answer 27

ppts nor researcher are aware of the aim of study (e.g. placebos)

Question 28

what's a naturalistic observation

Answer 28

behaviour is studied in a natural situation

Question 29

what's a controlled observation

Answer 29

some variables are controlled by researcher, ppts are likely to know that they're being studied

Question 30

what's an overt observation

Answer 30

ppts bahviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge and consent

Question 31

what's a covert observation

Answer 31

ppts behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge and consent

Question 32

what's a participant observation

Answer 32

researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour they're observing

Question 33

what's a non-participant observation

Answer 33

researcher remains outside the group whose behaviour is being recorded

Question 34

what's observer bias

Answer 34

when observer's reports are biased by what they expect to see

Question 35

what's an unstructured observational design

Answer 35

researcher writes down everything rich in detail

Question 36

what is a structured observational design

Answer 36

researcher's focus on an individual or single occuring behaviour