Research methods

• Structured interviews: A type of interview in which the interviewer asks a series of pre-set questions.
• Semi-structured interviews: A type of interview where the interviewer asks open-ended questions to the respondent.
• Unstructured interviews: An unplanned conversation between two people, with no set agenda or structure.
• The three interview types are structured, semi-structured and unstructured.
• Cross-sectional study: A study that looks at the relationship between two or more variables at a single point in time
• Longitudinal study: A study that follows a group of people over time, to see how their lives change.
• Hypothesis: A prediction of the results of an experiment that is tested.
• The null hypothesis states that there is no relationship between the two variables being studied.
• The alternative hypothesis states that there is a relationship between the two variables being studied (one variable has an effect on the other).
• Validity: The extent to which a test measures what it is supposed to measure.
• Reliability: The extent to which a test yields consistent results when repeated.
• Generalisability: the extent to which the findings of a study can be applicable to other settings
• Application: How useful is the information in society.
• Ethics:the standards that direct the conduct of its professional members.
• Volunteer sampling: A sampling technique in which the researcher selects participants from a pool of volunteers. Via adverts or online.
• Opportunity sampling: A sampling technique that involves selecting participants from a list of people who are available at the time.
• Random sampling: A sampling technique that involves selecting a sample from a population by using a random method.
• Stratified sampling: A sampling technique that involves dividing a population into subgroups and then selecting a sample from each subgroup.
• Independent variables: The variable that is manipulated by the researcher to determine the effect on the dependent variable.
• Dependent variable: The variable being measured, or the results of the experiment
• Operationalization of variables means making them measurable/quantifiable
• Extraneous variables are all variables, which are not the independent variable, but could affect the results of the experiment.
• Demand characteristics are a type of extraneous variable that occurs if the participants work out the aims of the research study, they may begin to behave in a certain way.
• Independent design: A design in which the independent variable is manipulated in a single experiment.
• Matched Pairs design: each participant is selected for only one condition, but the participants in the two groups are matched for some relevant factor.
• Repeated measures design: each participant appears in both groups, so that there are exactly the same participants in each group.
• Lab experiments: are conducted in a controlled environment, not necessarily a laboratory, and therefore accurate and objective measurements are possible.
• Field experiments: are conducted in the everyday (natural) environment of the participants. The experimenter still manipulates the IV, but in a real-life setting.
• Natural experiments: are when a naturally occurring variable is investigated that isn’t deliberately manipulated, it exists anyway.
• Case studies: A study that focuses on a single case or a small number of cases.
• Correlation: A statistical measure of the degree of association between two or more variables.
• Positive correlation: When two variables increase together, they are positively correlated.
• Negative correlation: a relationship between two variables in which one variable increases as the other decreases, and vice versa
• No correlation: No relationship between the variables.
• Questionnaires: a list of questions or items used to gather data from participants about their attitudes, experiences, or opinions
• Open-ended questions are questions that allow the respondent to answer in their own words.
• Close-ended questions are questions that have a fixed number of answers. They are often used in surveys.
• Likert questions are used to measure the extent to which a respondent agrees or disagrees with a statement
• Observations: A way to gather data by watching people, events, or noting physical characteristics in their natural setting
• covert observation: when the researcher is not seen by the participants, but is present in the background