Research Methods Yr12 Key Terms Flashcards
(49 cards)
Aim
General statement of what researcher intends to investigate
Independent variable (IV)
Researcher manipulates or it changes naturally
Dependent variable
Researcher measures
Operationalised variable
Clearly defining variables in terms of how they are measured
Hypothesis
Precise and testable prediction
Null hypothesis
States no significant difference or correlation between variables (nothing will happen)
Alternative hypothesis
IS a difference between variables
(Directional or non-directional)
Directional hypothesis
States the expected direction of difference or relationship.
WITH previous research.
Non-directional hypothesis
Direction not stated.
NO previous research.
Extraneous variables
Any variable that could affect the DV if not controlled.
E.g differences in environment, times of day.
Confounding variables
Variable varies with the IV.
E.g. differences in participants age/gender.
Demand Characteristics
A cue may be interpreted by participants, revealing the aim. May cause change in behaviour.
Investigator effects
Unintentional influence of researcher on experiment.
Order effects
Order of tasks influences the outcome of
Observation
Non-experimental
Record participants behaviour.
Self report techniques
Non-experimental
Participants give info to researcher- thoughts, behaviour.
Correlation
Movement/ direction of variables
Content analysis
Non-experimental
Indirect observation.
Examines communications that people produce
Case studies
Non-experimental.
In depth investigation.
Lab experiment
Controlled.
Researcher manipulates IV.
Field experiment
Natural setting.
Researcher manipulates IV.
Quasi experiment
Naturally occurring IV - an existence between people (age, gender)
Record effect on DV.
Natural experiment
Naturally occurring IV
DC measured .
Internal validity
Extent to which study is measuring what it’s supposed to.
