research methods

• A null hypothesis is a general statement that the observed variables will have no impact as there is no relationship between them.
• An alternative hypothesis is a prediction that one variable will affect the other.
• When conducting research, most of the time the experiment comes from a simple or vague idea we wish to test.
• The independent variable (IV) is what researchers manipulate in order to test its effect on the dependent variable (the outcome).
• The dependent variable (DV) is the outcome or effect we are measuring within the study.
• The dependent variable in an experiment is the outcome that is measured after the independent variable is changed.
• The independent variable is what is changed in an experiment.
• An extraneous variable is a third variable that may unknowingly be affecting the outcome of the study.
• Sampling methods are different strategies researchers use to get participants for their studies.
• Random sampling involves the researcher identifying members of the target population, numbering them and then attempting to draw out the required number of people for their study.
• Opportunity sampling is a type of sampling method where the researcher selects participants from a specific location.
• Systematic sampling is a type of sampling method where the researcher selects participants at regular intervals from a specific location.
• Stratified sampling is a type of sampling method where the researcher divides the target population into subgroups and then selects a representative sample from each subgroup.
• Positive correlations indicate a positive relationship between two variables, with more of one variable leading to more of the other.
• Negative correlations indicate a negative relationship between two variables, with more of one variable leading to less of the other.
• Zero correlation indicates no or zero relationship between two variables.
• Correlational research allows a researcher to see if two variables are connected in some way.
• Once a relationship has been established between two variables, a researcher can then use an experiment to try and find the true cause of the correlation.
• Correlational research can be used in situations where it may be unethical or impossible to carry out an experiment.
• The strength of correlations is that they can establish a relationship between two variables, but they do not determine the cause of the relationship.
• A weakness of using correlations is that they cannot determine the cause of the relationship between two variables.
• To establish a pattern in the data for correlational research, large amounts of data need to be collected.
• Standardised procedures are a set of sequences that apply to all the participants when necessary to ensure the experiment is unbiased.
• Instructions to participants in a study need to be clear and unbiased to ensure the results of the study are not influenced by the instructions.
• Randomisation in a study ensures there are no biases in the procedures.
• Randomisation can be implemented in a study by putting all the instructions, tasks, and roles into a hat and selecting them randomly.
• The BPS states that researchers should consider all research from the standpoint of research participants, ensuring they are protected from potential risks to psychological well-being, physical health, personal values, or dignity.
• Researchers should ensure the risk of physical or psychological harm is no greater than what one would expect from everyday life and their wellbeing should not be at risk.
• At the end of the experiment, participants should be debriefed at the end of the investigation so they fully understand the true aim of the study.
• Informed consent means revealing to the participant the real aims of the study or telling them what will happen within the study.
• Informed consent is an ethical issue because revealing the true aims or details may lead to the participants adjusting their behaviour which could lead to invalid results.
• Researchers may not always give out the full details of the study however this means participants can not give their full informed consent.
• From a participants point of view, they should be told what they are required to do in the study so they can make an informed decision about whether they wish to take part.
• The right to withdraw from an experiment is considered important by participants.
• If a participant begins to feel distressed or uncomfortable, they should have the right to withdraw from the study.
• Within some experiments, participants are offered financial payments for completing the study and withdrawing is compromised because they may not get paid and thus feel like they can not withdraw.
• Maintaining confidentiality can be difficult as a researcher wishes to publish the findings.
• Laboratory experiments have high internal validity because researchers can control all the variables so the main differences between the experimental condition and control group are only the independent variable whose effect is being monitored.
• The strength of using a laboratory setup is it limits the role of extraneous variables from influencing the results as researchers have complete control of the environment.
• Laboratory experiments can be checked for reliability as they are easier to replicate.