Psychology 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 are aims developed in research?

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

  A hypothesis is a precise statement that describes the relationship between the variables being investigated.
• What are the two types of hypotheses?

  A hypothesis can be either directional or non-directional.
• 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 directional hypothesis related to sleep and memory performance.

  "The more sleep a participant has, the better their memory performance."
• 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."
• 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?

  Controlling extraneous variables ensures that any effect on the DV is due solely 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?

  Operationalisation refers to clearly defining variables in terms of how they are measured.
• How can a hypothesis be operationalised in a sleep study?

  "Participants that get at least four hours of sleep will show better performances on the memory test."
• What are extraneous variables?

  Extraneous variables are any variables other than the IV that affect the DV but do not vary systematically with the IV.
• What is a confounding variable?

  A confounding variable is a variable other than the IV that systematically affects the DV, making it difficult to determine the cause of the effect.
• Give an example of a confounding variable in a sleep study.

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

  Demand characteristics are cues that make participants aware of the study's aim, potentially altering their behavior.
• What is participant reactivity?

  Participant reactivity occurs when participants change their behavior due to awareness of being observed.
• What is the 'Please-U effect'?

  The 'Please-U effect' is when participants alter their behavior to meet the perceived expectations of the researcher.
• What is the 'screw-U effect'?

  The 'screw-U effect' is when participants intentionally underperform to sabotage the study's results.
• How do demand characteristics affect research validity?

  Demand characteristics can compromise the validity of results by causing unnatural behavior in participants.
• What are investigator effects?

  Investigator effects are unwanted influences from the researcher's behavior on the DV measured.
• What is randomisation in research?

  Randomisation is the use of chance to reduce bias from investigator effects.
• What is standardisation in research?

  Standardisation involves using the same procedures and instructions for all participants in the research.
• 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 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 recruitment
  • Less costly

  
  

  Limitations:

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

  Strengths:

  • No researcher bias
  • Fair representation of the population

  
  

  Limitations:

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

  Strengths:

  • Avoids researcher bias
  • Fairly representative of the population

  
  

  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 willing participants
  • Likely cooperation from participants

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Volunteer bias affects generalisability
  • Motivations may influence results
• What are the strengths and limitations of independent groups design?

  Strengths:

  • No order effects
  • Less likely to guess study 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