Research methods

• What is a case study in research methods?


  A detailed study of a particular person/persons or event, usually yielding a large amount of information.
• What is content analysis?


  A research tool used to determine the presence of certain words, themes, or concepts within qualitative data.
• How does controlled observation differ from naturalistic observation?

  Controlled observation occurs in a lab, increasing control and reliability but decreasing ecological validity.
• What does correlation measure?

  The extent to which two variables are associated.
• What is covert observation?


  A type of observation where the observer is hidden and participants do not know they are being observed.
• What is the purpose of an experiment?

  To test a hypothesis by manipulating an independent variable to observe its effect on a dependent variable.
• What is a field experiment?

  An experiment conducted in a real-life setting, which reduces control over extraneous variables but improves ecological validity.
• What are interviews in research methods?

  A self-report technique where participants are asked questions by an interviewer, allowing for flexibility in information gathered.
• What is a laboratory experiment?

  An experiment conducted in a highly controlled environment, allowing control over extraneous variables at the expense of ecological validity.
• What is a natural experiment?


  An experiment in which an independent variable that already exists is tested in its natural environment.
• What is naturalistic observation?


  A type of observation where participants are observed in their natural environment, increasing ecological validity but decreasing control.
• What is non-participant observation?

  An observation where the observer does not join the group under observation, allowing for higher objectivity.
• What is overt observation?

  A type of observation where participants know they are under observation, preserving informed consent but may increase demand characteristics.
• What is participant observation?

  A type of observation where the observer joins the group under observation, yielding valuable qualitative information but reducing objectivity.
• What is a quasi experiment?


  A type of experiment similar to a natural experiment.
• What are questionnaires?

  A self-report technique where participants answer pre-decided questions, allowing for anonymity.
• What are structured interviews?

  A form of interview with pre-set questions, allowing for replicability but no flexibility.
• What are unstructured interviews?


  A form of interview where questions may be set beforehand, but the interviewer has flexibility in the conversation.
• What are the key components of a scientific report?

  • Abstract: Summarizes the report.
  • Aims: The objective or purpose of the experiment.
• What is bias in research?

  An inclination to a certain position or thought, such as assuming negativity from a neutral face in hostile attribution bias.
• What are behavioral categories?


  An observational technique that separates participants' possible behaviors into specific components for operationalization.
• What are closed questions?

  A type of question that can only be answered with a limited number of answers, usually "yes" or "no".
• What is concurrent validity?

  It occurs if a test is similar to an older test that already has well-established validity.
• What is a confounding variable?

  A type of extraneous variable that is related to the independent variable in an experiment.
• What is a control variable?

  Any variable that is kept constant through the experiment to prevent its effects on the dependent variable.
• What is the effect of music on memory recall in the study mentioned?

  One group memorises during music playing and the other in silence.
• What is an independent variable in an experiment?

  The variable that is manipulated by the researcher to observe its effects on the dependent variable.
• In the example of testing anxiety on memory recall, what is the independent variable?

  Anxiety.
• What does inter-observer reliability refer to?

  Multiple investigators gather information separately during an observation and compare their data for similarity after.
• What are investigation effects?

  Unconscious changes in the investigators' behaviour to comply with the hypothesis of the investigation.
• What are matched pairs in experimental design?

  An experimental design wherein participants in different conditions are matched on certain variables to reduce participant variables.
• In the Bobo doll study, how were children matched?

  On scores of aggressiveness for each condition.
• What is a non-directional hypothesis?


  A hypothesis that does not specify the direction of the relationship of the experiment.
• What is objectivity in research?

  Empirical; something that is not influenced by personal feelings.
• What are open questions?


  A type of question that requires answers that are longer than "yes" or "no".
• What does operationalisation of variables mean?

  To clearly state and objectify a variable.
• How would researchers operationalise "aggression"?

  By converting it into observable categories like "punching" and "kicking".
• What is opportunity sampling?

  A sampling technique that involves obtaining a sample via anyone that is available from the population at the time of collecting the sample.
• What is a paradigm in research?


  A basic concept; a well-accepted core belief.
• What is a paradigm shift?

  When previously accepted core concepts in a science are changed, usually due to the emergence of new evidence.