Psychology research methods

• What is the first step in the experimental method?


  Mini
• What do psychologists aim to find out in the experimental method?


  They aim to investigate a specific question or phenomenon.
• What is a hypothesis?


  A hypothesis is a prediction of what might happen in the investigation.
• Give an example of a hypothesis related to chocolate consumption and academic performance.


  Students who eat a box of chocolate will get better grades than students who do not eat chocolate.
• What is a non-directional hypothesis?


  A non-directional hypothesis does not state the expected direction of the outcome.
• When is a non-directional hypothesis typically used?


  It is used when there is no previous research available.
• What characterizes a directional hypothesis?


  A directional hypothesis states an expected difference based on previous research.
• What are independent variables?


  Independent variables are those that are manipulated and changed in an experiment.
• What are dependent variables?


  Dependent variables are those that are measured in an experiment.
• How should variables be organized in an experiment?


  Start with the independent variable, place the dependent variable in the middle, and finish with the other independent variable.
• What does operationalization of variables involve?


  It involves specifying a set of behaviors that can be measured or manipulated.
• What is the purpose of operationalizing variables?


  To clearly define variables in terms of how they can be measured or manipulated.
• What is a confounding variable?


  A confounding variable is an uncontrolled variable that can affect the dependent variable.
• Why are confounding variables problematic in experiments?


  They make it difficult to determine if the independent variable is truly affecting the dependent variable.
• What is the purpose of the first step in the experimental method?


  To find something out (e.g. what you want to investigate)
• What is the second step in the experimental method?


  To investigate
• What is a hypothesis?


  What might happen in the investigation
• What is a non-directional hypothesis?


  A hypothesis that does not state the direction of the expected difference
• What is a directional hypothesis?


  A hypothesis that states the direction of the expected difference
• What is an example of a non-directional hypothesis?


  Students who eat a box of chocolate will get better grades than students who do not eat chocolate.
• What is an example of a directional hypothesis?


  Students who eat a box of chocolate will get better grades than students who do not eat chocolate.
• What are the two types of variables in an experiment?

  Independent variables and dependent variables
• What is the relationship between independent and dependent variables?


  Independent variables are manipulated and changed, while dependent variables are measured
• What is the process for defining the relationship between variables?

  1. Start with the independent variable, 2. Place the dependent variable in the middle, 3. Finish with the other independent variable
• What is operationalisation of variables?


  Clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured (for dependent variables) or manipulated (for independent variables)
• What is a confounding variable?


  A variable that is not the independent variable but affects the dependent variable, making it difficult to determine the true cause-effect relationship
• How do confounding variables affect the validity of an experiment?


  Confounding variables make it difficult to determine if the independent variable or the confounding variable is the true cause of the effect on the dependent variable, reducing the validity of the experiment
• What are the two types of extraneous variables?


  Independent variables (e.g. age, gender, motivation) and intelligent variables (e.g. time of day, weather)
• How do extraneous variables affect the validity of an experiment?


  Both types of extraneous variables (independent variables and intelligent variables) can have a negative impact on the validity of the results
• What are the steps of the experimental method?


  1. Mini (find something out, what you want to investigate)
  2. To investigate
  3. Hypothesis (what might happen in the investigation)
  4. Operationalisation of variables (clearly define how variables will be measured/manipulated)
• What is the difference between a non-directional and a directional hypothesis?


  Non-directional hypothesis:

  • Does not state the direction of the expected difference
  • Used when there is no previous research

  
  

  Directional hypothesis:

  • States the direction of the expected difference
  • Used when there is previous research/evidence
• What is the relationship between independent and dependent variables?


  • Independent variables are manipulated and changed
  • Dependent variables are measured
  • The relationship is defined by:

  1. Start with IV
  2. Place DV in middle
  3. Finish with other IV
• What are the effects of confounding variables on an experiment?

  • Confounding variables are variables that are not the IV but affect the DV
  • This makes it difficult to determine if the IV or the confounding variable is the true cause of the effect on the DV
  • Confounding variables reduce the validity of the experiment
• What are the two types of extraneous variables and how do they affect validity?


  Types of extraneous variables:

  • Independent variables (e.g. age, gender, motivation)
  • Intelligent variables (e.g. time of day, weather)

  
  

  Both types of extraneous variables can have a negative impact on the validity of the experimental results.
• What is the text in the image?


  We are unable to provide the remaining text, as it is too difficult to read.
• What is the formula to calculate the area of a circle?


  $A =$$\pi r^2$
• If the radius of a circle is 5 cm, what is the area of the circle?


  $A =$$\pi r^2 =$$\pi (5\text{ cm})^2 =$$25\pi \text{ cm}^2 \approx 78.54 \text{ cm}^2$
• What are the key points about confounding variables?


  • Confounding variables are variables that are not the independent variable but affect the dependent variable
  • This makes it difficult to determine if the independent variable or the confounding variable is the true cause of the effect on the dependent variable
  • Confounding variables reduce the validity of the experiment because we cannot be sure of the true cause-effect relationship
• What are the key points about extraneous variables?


  • There are two types of extraneous variables:
  • Independent variables (e.g. age, gender, motivation)
  • Intelligent variables (e.g. time of day, weather)
  • Both types of extraneous variables can have a negative impact on the validity of the experimental results
• What is the purpose of the scientific method?


  To find something out (e.g. what you want to investigate)