Research methods

• The two types of operationalising variable which is directional hypothesis and operationalised directional hypothesis
• a hypothesis should be a testable statement. It is a prediction of what is going to happen. This is constructed before the research
• there are two types of variables independent and dependent variable
• A null hypothesis is when there is no relationship between the two variable.
• a non- directional hypothesis is a direction of results that is not predicted. it is also known as 2 tailed.
• Directional hypothesis is more precise and states the direction of results. This is known as one tailed as predict the outcome of the experiment
• The three aims of research methods are:

  • research investigations always need an aim
  • this gives research a clear focus
  • the purpose of a piece of research
• the eight stages of research process

  1. identify the problem
  2. gather background information
  3. identify research hypothesis or questions
  4. choose a research method to collect data
  5. conduct a pilot study
  6. collect data to test the hypothesis
  7. Analyse data
  8. draw conclusion and report finding
• We use observation to study natural behaviour in a natural setting. they can study behaviour which would be unethical to manipulate or which cannot be directly manipulated by the researcher
• Observational studies involved watching and recording people’s behaviour usually carried out by observing people’s natural behaviour in their natural environment
• Inter observer reliability is the extent to which there is agreement between two or more observation involved in observations of behaviour
• Time sampling is the behaviour which is recorded in a fixed time frame
• Event sampling is a behaviour which is recorded every time it occurs
• Behavioural categories is when a target behaviour is broken into components that are observable and operationalised.
• Overt observation is when the participants knows they are being observed and why.
• Controlled observation is observation which takes places where some variables are controlled and manipulated by the experimenter. they determine the behaviour to be observed
• Naturalistic observation is observation which can take place in a natural situation
• Covert observation is when the observation is kept secret from the participants. the observed is undercover
• Non participant observation is when the experimenter does not become part of the group being observed
• Participant observation is when the observer acts as part of the group being watched
• Naturalistic observation weakness:

  • might be subjectivity because the observer has to choose what to observe and what to record
  • data is not generalisable as it is of one group or individuals at the given moment of time
• Naturalistic observation strength:

  • takes place in a natural environment of the participant, so there is ecological validity
  • observation gather in depth data and details. Data are often qualitative and rich.
• Inter- observer reliability

  The extent to which there is agreement between 2 or more observation involved in observations of behaviour
• Standard deviation 


  A measure of the variation in a set of scores
• Structured questions weakness

  • lacks validity
  • cannot ask additional questions
• Importance of sample

  • Sample of people represent the target population so the behaviour of the sample also represent the behaviour of the target population. This means results can be generalised
• Non-participant observation 


  The experimenter does not become part of the group being observed
• Standardisation 


  A way of ensuring that all participants in the investigation have exactly the same experience
• Inter rated reliability

  Independent raters rate same behaviour as researcher
• Sampling technique - volunteer 


  Participants select themselves to be part of the sample, it is a self selecting sample
• Sampling technique- systematic

  Every nth member of the target population is selected for the sample.
• Naturalistic observation strength

  • Takes place in a natural environment of the participant, so there is ecological validity
  • observation gather in depth data and details. Data are qualities and rich
• Interview

  A live encounter where one person asks question to test another thoughts and experience
• Demand characteristics

  In the experiment, participants are often unsure about what to do. They actively look for clues on how they should behave.
• zero correlation 


  Where there is no relationship between 2 variables
• Sampling technique : opportunity

  People who are members of the target population and are available and willing to take part
• How to control demand characteristics

  Single blind trial. The participant is unaware of which conditions they are in or the researcher aims. This presents the participants from seeking clues about the aims and reacting to them
• Negative correlation

  as one variable increase the other decrease
• Positive correlation 


  As one variable increase the other variable increase
• What is a correlation

  A measure of the relationship between 2 co variables. there is no cause or effect