Research Methods

• What is the aim in research methods?

  A general expression of what to investigate
• What is a hypothesis in research?

  A statement of what the researcher believes
• What does it mean to operationalise a hypothesis?

  To clearly define and measure it
• What is a directional hypothesis?

  States whether changes are greater or lesser
• What is a non-directional hypothesis?

  States there is a difference without direction
• What does the experimental method involve?

  Manipulating the independent variable and measuring effects
• What is a pilot study?

  A small-scale trial run of research design
• What is the purpose of a pilot study?

  To identify issues before the main study
• What are extraneous variables?

  Nuisance variables not systematically varying with IV
• What are confounding variables?

  Variables that change systematically with the IV
• Why must confounding variables be controlled?

  To ensure observed changes are due to the IV
• What are demand characteristics?

  Cues that reveal the study's aim to participants
• What are investigator effects?

  Effects of the investigator's behavior on results
• What is randomisation in research design?

  Using chance to control for bias effects
• What does standardisation mean in research?

  Using the same procedures for all participants
• What is the purpose of control groups?

  To provide a comparison for experimental results
• What is a single blind study?

  Participants do not know the study's aims
• What is a double blind study?

  Neither participants nor researchers know the aims
• What are independent groups in research?

  Two groups tested under different conditions
• What is a key advantage of independent groups?

  No order effects since participants are tested once
• What is a disadvantage of independent groups?

  Requires more participants than repeated measures
• What are repeated measures in research?

  The same participants take part in all conditions
• What is counterbalancing in repeated measures?

  Changing the order of conditions to avoid bias
• What is a key advantage of repeated measures?

  Participant variables are reduced in the study
• What is a disadvantage of repeated measures?

  Order effects may reduce the validity of results
• What are matched pairs in research?

  Two groups matched on relevant participant variables
• What is a key advantage of matched pairs?

  Reduces participant variables enhancing validity
• What is a disadvantage of matched pairs?

  Matching is time-consuming and imperfect
• What is a lab experiment?

  A controlled environment for regulating variables
• What is a key advantage of lab experiments?

  High internal validity due to controlled conditions
• What is a disadvantage of lab experiments?

  May lack generalisability due to artificiality
• What is a field experiment?

  A study conducted in a natural setting
• What is a key advantage of field experiments?

  Higher external validity due to natural behavior
• What is a disadvantage of field experiments?

  More difficult to control confounding variables
• What is a natural experiment?

  The IV varies naturally without manipulation
• What is a key advantage of natural experiments?

  Greater external validity with real-life issues
• What is a disadvantage of natural experiments?

  Natural events may occur rarely, limiting research
• What is a quasi-experiment?

  IV is based on pre-existing differences
• What is a key advantage of quasi-experiments?

  High control in a controlled environment
• What is a disadvantage of quasi-experiments?

  Causal relationships are not demonstrated