research methods

• What is the definition of the experimental method in psychology?


  The experimental method involves the manipulation of variables to determine cause and effect.
• How are participants allocated in an experimental method?


  Participants are usually randomly allocated to different testing groups.
• What does it mean for procedures in an experiment to be standardized?


  Standardized procedures mean they are kept the same for all participants.
• In an experiment, what is manipulated to observe its effect on another variable?


  The independent variable (IV) is manipulated.
• What is the purpose of operationalizing variables in an experiment?


  Operationalizing variables allows them to be manipulated and measured effectively.
• What are the four types of experiments identified in A-level psychology?

  Laboratory experiments, field experiments, natural experiments, and quasi-experiments.
• What are the characteristics of laboratory experiments?


  • Conducted in a controlled setting
  • Participants are aware of being observed
  • High internal validity due to controlled variables
• What distinguishes field experiments from laboratory experiments?


  • Conducted in natural environments
  • Participants may not be aware they are being observed
  • Aim to generate more realistic behavior
• What is a natural experiment?


  A natural experiment occurs when ethical or practical reasons prevent the manipulation of an independent variable.
• Give an example of a natural experiment.


  The study by Charlton et al. (2000) on the effects of television on St. Helena.
• What is a quasi-experiment?


  A quasi-experiment involves a naturally occurring independent variable that is not manipulated by the researcher.
• What are the strengths of quasi-experiments?


  They allow testing of naturally occurring IVs and avoid ethical issues.
• What are the weaknesses of quasi-experiments?


  They lack randomization, making it difficult to establish causal relationships.
• What are the types of observational techniques in psychology?

  • Naturalistic observation
  • Controlled observation
  • Covert observation
  • Overt observation
  • Participant observation
  • Non-participant observation
• What is the difference between naturalistic and controlled observations?

  Naturalistic observations occur in natural settings, while controlled observations involve manipulated variables in a lab setting.
• What is a strength of naturalistic observations?


  They provide more realistic behavior as they occur in natural habitats.
• What is a weakness of naturalistic observations?


  They cannot establish causal relationships due to lack of variable manipulation.
• What is a strength of controlled observations?


  They allow researchers to isolate the independent variable more directly.
• What is a weakness of controlled observations?


  They lack ecological validity due to the artificial setting.
• What is the difference between covert and overt observations?


  Covert observations are conducted without participants' knowledge, while overt observations are conducted with their awareness.
• What is participant observation?


  Participant observation involves researchers actively engaging in the situation being studied.
• What is non-participant observation?


  Non-participant observation means researchers do not become actively involved in the behavior being studied.
• What are the two principal methods for self-reporting in psychology?


  • Questionnaires
  • Interviews (structured and unstructured)
• What is a questionnaire in psychological research?


  A questionnaire is a list of predetermined questions for participants to respond to.
• What does the experimental method involve?

  Manipulation of an independent variable
• What is the purpose of manipulating the independent variable?

  To observe its 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?

  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?

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

  It does not specify the direction of the relationship
• Give an example of a directional hypothesis.

  The more sleep, the better memory performance
• Give an example of a non-directional hypothesis.

  Sleep hours will affect memory performance
• When is a directional hypothesis typically used?

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

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

  The variable 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