Unit 1.4 Research Methods

• What is an independent variable (IV)?


  The variable that is changed in an experiment.
• What is a dependent variable (DV)?


  The variable that is measured in an experiment.
• What is a control variable (CV)?


  The variable that remains the same in an experiment.
• What are extraneous variables (EV)?


  Variables which have an impact on the DV, which are not part of the IV.
• What is a hypothesis?


  A clear, precise, testable statement about the relationship between the IV and DV.
• What is a null hypothesis?


  A statement of no relationship between the IV and the DV.
• What is an alternative hypothesis?


  A statement that there will be some difference or effect in the experiment.
• What does operationalisation of variables mean?


  Clearly and precisely defining variables in an experiment.
• Why are extraneous variables (EVs) important in experiments?


  They can impact the cause and effect relationship if not controlled.
• What are situational variables?


  • Aspects of the environment that may affect participants (e.g., noise, weather).
  • Can be caused by problems with experimental designs or participant allocations.
• What are some examples of situational variables?

  • Fatigue Effects: Decline in performance due to tiredness or boredom.
  • Practice Effects: Improvement in performance due to repetition of the task.
• What are participant variables?


  • Aspects of the participants themselves that may affect results (e.g., mood, age, personality).
  • Characteristics of tasks that might influence results (e.g., instructions, materials).
• What are experimenter effects or researcher bias?


  Behaviors of the experimenter that may unintentionally affect results.
• What are demand characteristics?


  Features of the experimental situation that may give away the aim of the investigation.
• What are order effects?


  The order in which things are presented can affect participants' responses.
• What are standardised procedures in research?


  • Using the same methods, information, environment, and instructions for all participants.
  • Ensures consistency and reliability in the research study.
• What is randomization in research?


  Random assignment of participants to experimental conditions to minimize bias.
• What is debriefing in research?


  • Takes place at the end of the experiment.
  • Provides participants with a complete explanation of what they have done.
  • Offers an opportunity to withdraw their data.
• What is counterbalancing?


  • A technique used to control order effects in repeated measures designs.
  • Participants are split into two groups to balance the order of conditions.
• How does counterbalancing work?


  One half of participants completes condition A first, the other half completes condition B first.
• Why do researchers prefer laboratory experiments?


  Because extraneous variables are much easier to control in a laboratory setting.
• What is the purpose of controlling extraneous variables?


  To protect the reliability and validity of results.
• What is the role of fatigue effects in experiments?


  They can lead to a decline in performance as participants become tired or bored.
• What is the role of practice effects in experiments?


  They can lead to improvement in performance due to practicing or repeating the task.
• What is the significance of random number generators in research?


  They are used to randomly assign participants to experimental conditions.
• What is the purpose of a pre-experiment briefing?


  To provide participants with exact information about the study.
• What is the BPS's recommendation regarding debriefing?


  It is recommended as part of its ethical guidelines.
• How does counterbalancing help in experiments?


  It balances out order effects by varying the order of conditions for different participants.
• What is the impact of order effects on repeated measures designs?


  They can affect participants' behavior and responses based on the order of conditions.
• What is a sample?


  A representative subset or portion of a larger population or group.
• What is a target population?


  The group of people that psychologists want to make a general conclusion on
• What is random sampling?

  Produced by selecting people from the target population at random.
• Why does random sampling ensure fairness?

  It ensures that every member has an equal chance of being selected.
• How does a researcher conduct random sampling?

  The researcher obtains a list of all members of the target population and selects randomly.
• What is a potential drawback of random sampling?

  It may take more time and effort than other methods.
• What is opportunity sampling?

  Produced by selecting people who are willing and available at the time.
• How do researchers typically find participants for opportunity sampling?

  Researchers visit local areas like schools or shopping centers.
• What is another name for opportunity sampling?

  Volunteer sampling.
• What is a disadvantage of opportunity sampling?

  It is likely to be biased as it depends on the context of who participates.
• What is systematic sampling?

  Produced by selecting every nth person on a list of the target population.