Research Methods

• What does the experimental method involve?

  Manipulation of an independent variable
• What is the purpose of the independent variable (IV) in an experiment?

  To have an effect on the dependent variable
• What are the types of experiments mentioned?

  Field, laboratory, quasi, natural
• What is an aim in research?

  A general statement of the study's purpose
• How are aims developed in research?

  From theories and similar research readings
• What is a hypothesis?

  A precise statement about variable relationships
• What are the two types of hypotheses?

  Directional and non-directional
• What does a directional hypothesis indicate?

  The direction of the relationship between variables
• What does a non-directional hypothesis state?

  It does not specify the direction of the relationship
• When is a directional hypothesis typically used?

  When previous research suggests a specific outcome
• What is the independent variable (IV)?

  The manipulated aspect of the experiment
• What is the dependent variable (DV)?

  The aspect measured in response to the IV
• Why must extraneous variables be controlled?

  To ensure the IV is the only factor affecting the DV
• What are the two conditions needed to test the IV's effect?

  Experimental condition and control condition
• What does operationalisation of variables mean?

  Clearly defining how variables are measured
• How can a hypothesis be operationalised?

  By specifying measurable outcomes in detail
• What are extraneous variables?

  Variables that affect the DV but are not IV
• What are confounding variables?

  Variables that systematically affect the DV
• What are demand characteristics?

  Cues that influence participant behavior in studies
• What is participant reactivity?

  Changes in behavior due to awareness of study
• What is the 'Please-U effect'?

  Participants act as they think researchers want
• What are investigator effects?

  Unwanted influences from the researcher's behavior
• What is randomisation in research?

  Using chance to reduce bias in studies
• What is standardisation in research?

  Using the same procedures for all participants
• What are the strengths and limitations of laboratory experiments?

  Strengths:

  • High degree of control
  • Greater accuracy and replication

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Experimenter's bias may affect results
  • Low ecological validity due to artificial settings
• What are the strengths and limitations of field experiments?

  Strengths:

  • High ecological validity
  • Naturalistic behaviors observed

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Ethical concerns like invasion of privacy
  • Loss of control over extraneous variables
• What are the strengths and limitations of quasi-experiments?

  Strengths:

  • Controlled conditions enhance replicability
  • Likely high internal validity

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Cannot randomly allocate participants
  • Confounding variables may be present
• What is the 'screw-U effect'?

  Participants intentionally underperform in studies
• What are the strengths and limitations of natural experiments?

  Strengths:

  • Opportunities for research on real-life issues
  • High external validity

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Rare natural events may limit replicability
  • Difficult to randomise participants
• What are the strengths and limitations of opportunity sampling?

  Strengths:

  • Easy and time-saving recruitment
  • Less costly method

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Not representative of the whole population
  • Researcher bias may be present
• What are the strengths and limitations of random sampling?

  Strengths:

  • No researcher bias in selection
  • Equal chances for all members

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Time-consuming to create a sampling frame
  • Volunteer bias may affect representativeness
• What are the strengths and limitations of systematic sampling?

  Strengths:

  • Avoids researcher bias
  • Fairly representative of the population

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Not truly unbiased without randomisation
• What are the strengths and limitations of stratified sampling?

  Strengths:

  • No researcher bias in selection
  • Produces representative data

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Time-consuming to identify strata
  • Complete representation may not be possible
• What are the strengths and limitations of volunteer sampling?

  Strengths:

  • Quick access to willing participants
  • Likely cooperation from participants

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Volunteer bias affects generalisability
  • Motivations may influence seriousness of participation
• What are the strengths and limitations of independent groups design?

  Strengths:

  • No order effects present
  • Less likely to guess study aims

  
  

  Limitations:

  • No control over participant variables
  • Requires more participants for data
• What are the strengths and limitations of repeated measures design?

  Strengths:

  • Eliminates participant variables
  • Fewer participants needed

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Order effects may occur
  • Boredom may affect performance
• What are the strengths and limitations of matched pairs design?

  Strengths:

  • No order effects present
  • Demand characteristics are less of a problem

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Time-consuming and expensive to match
  • Large participant pool needed
• What is the purpose of a pilot study?

  • Identify potential problems
  • Modify procedures before the main study
  • Save time and money in the long run
• What is a single-blind procedure?

  • Participants unaware of treatment type
  • Reduces bias from participant expectations
• What is a double-blind procedure?

  • Neither participants nor researchers know treatment
  • Prevents bias from both parties