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GCSE Psychology > Unit 11: Research Methods > Flashcards

Unit 11: Research Methods Flashcards

(104 cards)

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1
Q

What is the acronym for evaluating studies and theories?

A

Generalisability
Reliability
Applications
Validity
Ethical Consideration

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2
Q

Independent variable (IV)

A

the variable directly manipulated by the researcher.

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3
Q

Dependent variable (DV):

A

the variable being measured in a study.

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4
Q

Operationalisation:

A

making the variables in an investigation detailed and specific.

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5
Q

Extraneous variable:

A

a variable that is not controlled which could affect the results of a study.

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6
Q

Confounding variable:

A

an extraneous variable that affects the results of the study so that the effect of the IV is not truly being seen.

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7
Q

Situational variable:

A

an extraneous variable present in the environment of the study.

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8
Q

Order effects:

A

when participants improve or worsen in the second condition because they have practised or become fatigued.

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9
Q

Demand characteristics:

A

when the participant alters their behaviour in response to the perceived aims of the investigation.

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10
Q

Investigator effect:

A

when a researcher unintentionally gives clues to participants altering their behaviour.

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11
Q

Participant variables:

A

extraneous variables specific to the participants of an investigation for example their mood

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12
Q

Standardised procedure:

A

where the procedure of a study is the same across all conditions.

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13
Q

Counterbalancing:

A

where half of the participant group experience condition A then condition B while the other half experience condition B then condition A.

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14
Q

Randomisation:

A

when participants are randomly assigned to condition A or B as their first or second test condition.

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15
Q

Single-blind technique:

A

when information about the study is withheld from participants.

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16
Q

Double-blind technique:

A

when the aims of the study are withheld from both participants and researchers.

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17
Q

Random allocation:

A

when participants are randomly assigned to a condition of the study.

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18
Q

Null hypothesis:

A

a prediction that the results will fail to show any difference (or relationship) that is consistent or systematic.

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19
Q

Alternative (experimental) hypothesis:

A

a prediction of the outcome of a study based on what is expected to happen.

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20
Q

Directional hypothesis:

A

a hypothesis that predicts the direction the results will go in.

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21
Q

Non-directional hypothesis:

A

a hypothesis that predicts that a difference/relationship will be found but does not specify what the difference/relationship will be.

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22
Q

Experimental hypothesis:

A

the name given to a hypothesis when used in field and laboratory experiments.

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23
Q

Target population:

A

the group of people being investigated in a study.

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24
Q

Sample:

A

a selection of the target population that is directly studied in an investigation.

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25
Generalisability:
the extent to which the results of a study represent the whole population not just the sample used.
26
Sampling method:
a technique used to gather a representative group of people as a sample from the target population.
27
Random sampling technique:
a technique used to gather a random sample of participants from the target population.
28
Stratified sampling technique:
a technique that ensures subgroups of the target population are proportionately represented in a sample.
29
Sample error:
when a sample differs in qualities from the target population it intends to represent.
30
Volunteer sampling technique:
a technique that asks for participants by placing an advert for volunteers.
31
Biased sample:
when the sample recruited is made up of a particular type of person which may not reflect the target population.
32
Opportunity sampling technique:
a technique that recruits participants who are readily available at the time.
33
Research design:
how participants are allocated to the conditions of a study.
34
Experimental design:
the name given to research design when used in an experiment.
35
Independent measures design:
participants are split into groups with each group tested in only one condition of a study.
36
Repeated measures design:
the same participants are used in all conditions of a study.
37
Matched pairs design:
different participants are used in each condition of the study but are matched for likeness on important characteristics.
38
Reliability:
the consistency of an outcome or result of an investigation (a measure).
39
Validity:
whether the test measures what was intended.
40
Internal validity:
whether the measures used in a test genuinely test what they were designed to test.
41
External validity:
whether the findings are generalisable to the target population.
42
Qualitative methods:
ways of conducting research that find out new information rather than testing a prediction; often resulting in gathering qualitative data.
43
Researcher bias:
when a researcher interprets the outcome of a study according to their own view (subjective).
44
Triangulation:
when more than one measure is taken for a behaviour to cross-validate the findings.
45
Objective:
not open to interpretation unbiased.
46
Quantitative methods:
ways of conducting research that test a prediction and gather quantitative data.
47
Ethical issues:
researchers follow codes or rules of conduct when carrying out research to protect participants from harm.
48
Right to withdraw:
ensuring that participants are clearly aware of their right to leave the study at any point.
49
Interview:
a research method designed to gather self-reported information from participants.
50
Structured interview:
a set of pre-set questions asked to a respondent.
51
Interview schedule:
a list of set questions around the study aim.
52
Semi-structured interview:
a mix of pre-set questions and unprepared questions asked to a respondent.
53
Unstructured interview:
a free-flowing conversation around a particular topic with a respondent.
54
Social desirability bias:
during an interview a respondent may answer a question in a way that is deemed socially acceptable.
55
Interviewer effect:
the characteristics of an interviewer impact the way a respondent answers questions.
56
Questionnaires:
a self-report technique designed to ask lots of people questions about a topic.
57
Closed-ended questions:
questions with a fixed response to choose from.
58
Open-ended questions:
questions with no fixed response.
59
Correlation:
a way of analysing relationships between variables.
60
Co-variables:
two variables that can be plotted against each other to indicate the type of relationship between them.
61
Positive correlation:
as one co-variable increases the other co-variable increases.
62
Negative correlation:
as one co-variable increases the other co-variable decreases.
63
Case study:
a study of a single person group or event.
64
Observation:
a research method that involves watching and recording behaviour.
65
Naturalistic observation:
an observation conducted in an everyday environment where the behaviour being studied is normally seen.
66
Controlled or structured observation:
an observation carried out in a laboratory or controlled environment.
67
Overt observation:
participants know they are being observed as part of an investigation.
68
Covert observation:
participants are unaware that they are being observed.
69
Participant observation:
when an observer is involved in the group they are observing.
70
Non-participant observation:
the observer watches and records people without being actively involved.
71
Significant figures:
digits that have meaning in a number and signify a level of accuracy.
72
Estimate:
do a quick rough calculation of what the results are showing.
73
Ratios:
compare one thing against another to show proportions.
74
Fractions:
a way of cutting something up to show proportions.
75
Percentage:
a fraction of 100 found by multiplying a fraction by 100.
76
Descriptive statistics:
ways of summarising data to make raw data easier to understand. Descriptive statistics include the mean, median, mode, range and also graphs
77
Raw data:
the results themselves without analysis
78
Range:
the difference between the highest and lowest score in a set of data to show the spread of scores.
79
Measure of dispersion:
a way of showing the spread of scores and variability.
80
Mode:
in a set of numbers the most common one (the one found most often).
81
Bi-modal:
when there are two modes in a set of numbers.
82
Multi-modal:
when there is more than two modes in a set of numbers.
83
Median:
the middle score in a set of numbers.
84
Mean/arithmetic mean:
the average of a set of numbers found by adding them all up and dividing the result by how many original numbers there were.
85
Normal distribution:
when mean, median and mode are very similar or the same.
86
Skewed distribution:
when median and/or mode differ from the mean.
87
Frequency scores:
the number of times each score is found in a dataset.
88
Frequency table:
shows how often each score in a dataset is found using tallying.
89
Tally:
a way of recording each instance of something using a vertical mark for each instance.
90
Frequency diagram/histogram:
illustrates frequency to show the distribution of continuous data.
91
Bell curve:
the shape of a normal distribution curve.
92
Bar chart/graph:
a graph to show categories of data; a way of summarising data which can then be compared.
93
x-axis:
horizontal line along the base of a chart/graph.
94
y-axis:
vertical line at the side of a chart/graph.
95
Scatter diagram:
a graph used to illustrate a relationship or correlation between two variables to see if they co-vary.
96
Line of best fit:
a line on a scatter diagram through the centre of a cluster of points to see if there is a correlation and in which direction (negative or positive) it is.
97
Primary data:
data collected directly for a specific research purpose.
98
Secondary data:
data used in a study that have already been collected often for a different purpose.
99
Meta-analysis:
a procedure used to merge and analyse findings from studies focusing on a similar issue in order to draw overall conclusions.
100
Qualitative data:
data that are descriptive not numbers
101
Quantitative data:
numerical data.
102
Participatory:
research that involves children and young people from the start including the design and data-gathering phases
103
Participation rights:
the rights of people including children
104
Protection rights:
the rights of a child to be protected at all times.

GCSE Psychology (8 decks)

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