Research Methods

• What is the primary goal of psychology?


  To describe, predict, and control or change behavior
• How is psychological evidence ideally gathered?


  Through the scientific method using empirical evidence
• What are the key components of scientific processes in psychology?


  • Aims: Broad ideas about topics of interest
  • Hypotheses: Precise predictions about expected findings
  • Operationalisation: Defining variables for measurement
  • Control of variables: Isolating variables to determine cause and effect
• What is the definition of a hypothesis in research?


  A precise prediction about the expected findings of a study
• What does it mean to operationalise a hypothesis?


  To manipulate variables so they can be identified and measured
• What are the two types of hypotheses used in a study?

  The null hypothesis and the alternative hypothesis
• What does the null hypothesis predict?


  That there will be no difference between the conditions
• What does the alternative hypothesis predict?


  That there will be a difference between conditions
• What is the difference between a directional and non-directional hypothesis?


  A directional hypothesis predicts the direction of the relationship, while a non-directional hypothesis does not
• What is an example of a directional hypothesis?


  Men will complete a spatial ability task faster than women
• What is an example of a non-directional hypothesis?


  There will be a difference between the time it takes men and women to complete a task
• When would a researcher choose a non-directional hypothesis?


  If there is no previous research to support a specific outcome
• What is a test of difference in psychology?


  A test that predicts a difference between two sets of data
• What is a test of relationship in psychology?


  A test that predicts a relationship between two variables
• What is the independent variable (IV) in an experiment?


  The variable that the experimenter manipulates
• What is the dependent variable (DV) in an experiment?


  The variable that changes as a result of the manipulation of the IV
• What are extraneous variables?


  Variables that could affect the DV but are not the IV
• What is a confounding variable?


  An extraneous variable that has not been controlled and affects the results
• Why is operationalisation important in research?


  It allows variables to be clearly defined for manipulation and measurement
• How can randomisation help in research?


  It reduces the influence of extraneous variables by using chance in selection
• What are investigator effects?


  Ways that researchers can unconsciously influence research results
• What is standardisation in research?


  Ensuring that the method is the same for all participants to control extraneous variables
• What is a population in research?


  The entire group of individuals that a researcher is interested in studying
• What is a representative sample?


  A sample that closely matches the characteristics of the population
• What is the significance of generalising results?


  It allows researchers to apply findings from a sample to the larger population
• What is cultural bias in research?


  Drawing conclusions about one culture based on research conducted in another culture
• What are the strengths and limitations of random sampling?


  Strengths:

  • Free from researcher bias
  • Equal chance for all members of the population

  
  

  Limitations:

  • May not be representative of the population
  • Time-consuming to identify all members of the population
• What are the strengths and limitations of opportunity sampling?


  Strengths:

  • Practical and time-efficient
  • Easy to access participants

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Non-representative of the population
  • Researcher bias in participant selection
• What are the strengths and limitations of systematic sampling?


  Strengths:

  • Reduces researcher bias
  • Random method of selection

  
  

  Limitations:

  • May not produce a representative sample
  • Selected participants may refuse to participate
• What are the strengths and limitations of volunteer sampling?


  Strengths:

  • Easy to gather a sample
  • Less time-consuming for researchers

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Likely to be unrepresentative
  • Volunteers may share similar characteristics
• What are the issues related to small sample size in research?


  • Limits generalisability of results
  • May not accurately represent the population
  • Increases risk of Type 2 errors
• What are the implications of gender bias in sampling?


  • Limits generalisability from males to females
  • May skew results based on gender
  • Affects the validity of conclusions drawn
• What are the implications of cultural bias in psychological research?


  • Results may not apply to non-Western cultures
  • Risks misinterpretation of cultural behaviors
  • Affects the validity of research conclusions
• What are the key sampling techniques in psychology?

  1. Random sampling
  2. Opportunity sampling
  3. Systematic sampling
  4. Volunteer sampling
• What are the strengths and limitations of systematic sampling?


  Strengths:

  • Reduces bias
  • Random selection process

  
  

  Limitations:

  • May not represent diversity
  • Participants may refuse to participate
• What are the strengths and limitations of volunteer sampling?


  Strengths:

  • Easy to gather participants
  • Less effort required from researchers

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Unrepresentative sample
  • Volunteers may share similar traits
• What are the implications of cultural bias in psychological research?


  • Results may not apply to non-Western cultures
  • Risks misinterpretation of cultural behaviors
  • Affects the validity of research conclusions
• What are the implications of gender bias in sampling?


  • Limits generalisability from males to females
  • May skew results based on gender
  • Affects the validity of conclusions drawn
• What are the issues related to small sample size in research?


  • Limits generalisability of results
  • May not accurately represent the population
  • Increases risk of Type 2 errors
• What are the strengths and limitations of opportunity sampling?


  Strengths:

  • Practical and time-efficient
  • Easy to access participants

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Non-representative of the population
  • Researcher bias in participant selection