research methods

• What does the experimental method involve?


  Manipulation of an independent variable to observe its effect on a dependent variable.
• What are the types of experiments in the experimental method?


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

  A general statement about what the researcher plans to investigate.
• How are aims developed in research?


  Aims are developed from theories and previous research readings.
• What is a hypothesis?


  A precise statement that describes the relationship between variables.
• What are the two types of hypotheses?


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


  It states the direction of the relationship between variables.
• What is a non-directional hypothesis?


  A hypothesis that does not specify the direction of the relationship between variables.
• Give an example of a directional hypothesis related to sleep and memory.

  "The more sleep a participant has, the better their memory performance."
• Provide an example of a non-directional hypothesis related to sleep and memory.

  "The difference in the amount of hours of sleep a participant has will affect their memory performance."
• When is a directional hypothesis typically used?

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

  The variable that is manipulated by the researcher.
• What is the dependent variable (DV)?

  The variable that is measured and affected by the IV.
• Why is it important to control extraneous variables?

  To ensure that the effect on the DV is solely due to the IV.
• What are the two conditions needed to test the effect of the IV?

  The experimental condition and the control condition.
• What does operationalisation of variables mean?

  Clearly defining variables in terms of how they are measured.
• How can a hypothesis be operationalised?


  By specifying measurable outcomes for the variables involved.
• What are extraneous variables?


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


  Variables that systematically change with the IV and affect the DV.
• Give an example of a confounding variable in a sleep study.

  The time of day the memory test is conducted.
• What are demand characteristics?

  Cues that make participants guess the aim of the investigation.
• What is participant reactivity?

  When participants change their behavior due to cues from the researcher.
• What is the 'Please-U effect'?

  When participants act in a way they think the researcher wants.
• What is the 'screw-U effect'?

  When participants intentionally underperform to sabotage results.
• How do demand characteristics affect research validity?

  They can lead to unnatural behavior, affecting the validity of results.
• What are investigator effects?

  Unwanted influences from the researcher's behavior on the DV measured.
• What is randomisation in research?


  The use of chance to reduce bias from investigator effects.
• What does standardisation mean in research?


  Using the same procedures and instructions for all participants.
• What are the types of experiments and their characteristics?


  • Laboratory: High control, low ecological validity, experimenter's bias.
  • Field: Naturalistic, high ecological validity, loss of control.
  • Quasi: IV not manipulated, high internal validity, confounding variables possible.
  • Natural: Real-life issues, high external validity, difficult to replicate.
• What are the sampling methods in research?

  • Opportunity sampling: Convenient, not representative, researcher bias.
  • Random sampling: Equal chances, no bias, time-consuming.
  • Systematic sampling: Fairly representative, avoids bias, not truly unbiased.
  • Stratified sampling: Reflects population proportions, random selection, time-consuming.
  • Volunteer sampling: Quick access, participant cooperation, volunteer bias.
• What is the definition of experimental design?


  It is the process of planning an experiment to ensure valid and reliable results.
• What are the three main types of experimental designs?

  • Independent groups design
  • Repeated measures design
  • Matched pairs design
• In an independent groups design, how do participants engage with the independent variable (IV)?


  Participants only perform in one condition of the independent variable.
• What is a strength of the independent groups design?


  There are no order effects present.
• What is a limitation of the independent groups design?


  There is no control over participant variables.
• How can random allocation address a limitation in independent groups design?


  It ensures each participant has the same chance of being in any condition of the IV.
• In a repeated measures design, how do participants engage with the independent variable (IV)?


  The same participants take part in all conditions of the IV.
• What is a strength of the repeated measures design?


  It eliminates participant variables.
• What is a limitation of the repeated measures design?


  Order effects can be present, such as boredom.
• What is counterbalancing in repeated measures design?


  It is when half of the participants do conditions in one order and the other half do it in the opposite order.