research methods

• What must you be able to explain regarding target populations?

  What target populations are
• What does sampling from the target population mean?

  Selecting participants from the target population
• What are the four sampling methods to describe and evaluate?

  • Random sampling
  • Opportunity sampling
  • Systematic sampling
  • Stratified sampling
• What is the process most psychology research involves?

  Formulating a hypothesis and analyzing data
• What is the term for the group of people a researcher is interested in studying?

  Target population
• What is a sample in research?

  A group of people participating in a study
• What are sampling methods?

  Ways of selecting a sample
• Why is the way a sample is selected important?

  It affects the evaluation of research
• What does generalising from a sample mean?

  Concluding findings apply to the wider population
• When is generalising valid?

  When the sample is representative of the population
• What is a characteristic of a good sample?

  It is large
• What is opportunity sampling?

  Selecting participants who are easily available
• Why can opportunity samples be biased?

  They may not represent the target population
• How do researchers select an opportunity sample?

  By approaching conveniently available individuals
• What defines a random sample?

  Every member has an equal chance of selection
• Why is random sampling considered the best method?

  It generally results in a representative sample
• How can researchers ensure random selection?

  By using a complete list and random number table
• What is systematic sampling?

  Selecting participants at set intervals
• What is a potential issue with systematic sampling?

  It may not guarantee an unbiased sample
• What is stratified sampling?

  Selecting participants to match population proportions
• What does a true stratified sample maintain?

  The same proportions as the target population
• What is a control condition in an experiment?

  A condition used for comparison
• What is the role of the independent variable (IV) in an experiment?

  It is manipulated by the researcher
• What is the dependent variable (DV) in an experiment?

  It is measured to assess the effect
• What is an extraneous variable (EV)?

  A variable that could affect the DV
• Why must extraneous variables be controlled?

  To determine the IV's effect on the DV
• What is a hypothesis?

  A scientific prediction of expected outcomes
• How is a hypothesis typically phrased?

  If IV affects DV, then condition 1 > condition 2
• What is an alternative hypothesis?

  It predicts the IV will affect the DV
• What is a null hypothesis?

  It predicts no effect of the IV on the DV
• What is a laboratory experiment?

  An experiment conducted in a controlled environment
• What is a field experiment?

  An experiment conducted in a natural environment
• What is a natural experiment?

  An experiment that occurs spontaneously in the real world
• What is a repeated measures design?

  All participants complete all conditions
• What is an independent groups design?

  Participants are randomly divided into groups
• What is a matched pairs design?

  Participants are matched on important characteristics
• What is the purpose of standardised instructions in research?

  To avoid bias and ensure consistency
• What are order effects in repeated measures design?

  Bias from participants improving or worsening
• What are the ethical issues in psychological research?

  • Informed consent
  • Deception
  • Right to withdraw
  • Confidentiality
  • Protection from harm
• What is a laboratory experiment?

  A controlled study in a lab setting