research methods

• What does the experimental method involve?

  The manipulation of an independent variable (IV) to observe its effect on a dependent variable (DV).
• What is the purpose of an aim in research?

  An aim is a general statement that outlines what the researcher plans to investigate.
• How is a hypothesis defined?

  A hypothesis is a precise statement that clearly states the relationship between the variables being investigated.
• What distinguishes a directional hypothesis from a non-directional hypothesis?

  A directional hypothesis specifies the direction of the relationship between variables, while a non-directional hypothesis does not.
• Provide an example of a non-directional hypothesis related to sleep and memory performance.

  “The difference in the amount of hours of sleep a participant has will affect their memory performance, shown by the difference in memory test scores.”
• When is a directional hypothesis typically used?

  A directional hypothesis is used when previous research suggests a particular outcome.
• What is the independent variable (IV) in an experiment?

  The independent variable is the aspect of the experiment that is manipulated by the researcher.
• What is the dependent variable (DV) in an experiment?

  The dependent variable is the aspect of the study that is measured and is affected by changes in the IV.
• Why is it important to control extraneous variables in an experiment?

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

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

  Operationalisation refers to clearly defining the variables in terms of how they are measured.
• How can a hypothesis be operationalised in the context of sleep and memory performance?

  “Participants that get at least four hours of sleep will show better performances on the memory test, achieving higher scores than those with less than four hours.”
• What is the difference between extraneous variables and confounding variables?

  Extraneous variables affect the DV but do not vary systematically with the IV, while confounding variables do change systematically with the IV.
• Give an example of a confounding variable in a sleep study.

  The time of day the memory test is conducted, as it may affect participants' performance.
• What are demand characteristics in research?

  Demand characteristics are cues that make participants feel they can guess the aim of the investigation, potentially altering their behavior.
• How can participant reactivity affect research outcomes?

  Participant reactivity can lead to unnatural behavior, affecting the validity of the results.
• What is investigator effects?

  Investigator effects refer to any unwanted influence from the researcher’s behavior on the DV measured.
• How can randomisation help in research?

  Randomisation reduces the effects of bias from investigator effects by using chance in participant selection and condition order.
• What does standardisation mean in research?

  Standardisation involves using the same formalised procedures and instructions for every participant in the research process.
• What are the types of experiments in the experimental method?

  • Laboratory experiments
  • Field experiments
  • Quasi-experiments
  • Natural experiments
• What are the strengths and limitations of laboratory experiments?

  Strengths:

  • High degree of control
  • Greater accuracy
  • Replication possible

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Experimenter's bias
  • Low ecological validity
• What are the strengths and limitations of field experiments?

  Strengths:

  • High ecological validity
  • Naturalistic behavior

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Ethical considerations
  • Loss of control over extraneous variables
• What are the strengths and limitations of quasi-experiments?

  Strengths:

  • Controlled conditions
  • High internal validity

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Cannot randomly allocate participants
  • Potential confounding variables
• What are the strengths and limitations of natural experiments?

  Strengths:

  • High external validity
  • Opportunities for unique research

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Rare events may not be replicable
  • Difficult to randomise participants
• What are the different sampling methods in research?

  • Opportunity sampling
  • Random sampling
  • Systematic sampling
  • Stratified sampling
  • Volunteer sampling
• What are the strengths and limitations of opportunity sampling?

  Strengths:

  • Easy and time-saving
  • Less costly

  
  

  Limitations:

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

  Strengths:

  • No researcher bias
  • Fair representation

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Time-consuming
  • Volunteer bias possible
• What are the strengths and limitations of systematic sampling?

  Strengths:

  • Avoids researcher bias
  • Fairly representative

  
  

  Limitations:

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

  Strengths:

  • No researcher bias
  • Produces representative data

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Time-consuming
  • Complete representation not possible
• What are the strengths and limitations of volunteer sampling?

  Strengths:

  • Quick access to participants
  • Likely cooperation

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Volunteer bias
  • Motivations may affect results
• What are the different experimental designs?

  • Independent groups design
  • Repeated measures design
  • Matched pairs design
• What are the strengths and limitations of independent groups design?

  Strengths:

  • No order effects
  • Less likely to guess aims

  
  

  Limitations:

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

  Strengths:

  • Eliminates participant variables
  • Fewer participants needed

  
  

  Limitations:

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

  Strengths:

  • No order effects
  • Less demand characteristics

  
  

  Limitations:

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

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

  • Researchers do not inform participants about treatment type
  • Avoids demand characteristics
• What is a double-blind procedure?

  • Neither participants nor researchers know treatment type
  • Prevents bias in research
• What is a pilot study?

  A small-scale version of an investigation conducted before the real study.
• Why are pilot studies conducted?

  To identify potential problems and modify procedures before the main study.
• What is a single-blind procedure?

  A research method where participants are unaware of whether they receive a test or control treatment.