Reasearch methods

• What is the dependent variable?

  The dependent variable is the variable that is being measured or observed in an experiment.
• What is the independent variable?


  The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or changed by the researcher in an experiment.
• What is the aim of a study?

  The purpose of an experiment, it determines what the researcher is trying to investigate
• What are the 4 types of experiment?

  Natural, field, quasi, laboratory
• What is a field experiment?

  A field experiment is a research method where the study is conducted in a natural setting, such as a real-world environment. The Researcher manipulates the IV and the participants don't know their taking part
• What is a natural experiment?

  - Conducted in the real world

  - Takes advantage of a naturally occurring IV and measures effects on the DV

  - IV would have changed regardless
• What is reliability?

  Trust and confidence in the consistency of accurate results each time
• What are standardised procedures?


  Step by step instructions of how to conduct a study
• What are the strengths of laboratory experiments?

  • High control of extraneous variables
  • Allows us to establish cause and effect
  • Easy to replicate due to standardised procedures
  • Makes study more reliable
• What is a laboratory experiment?

  A study conducted in a highly controlled environment, where the researcher directly manipulates the IV and measures the effect on the DV
• What does a good 3 mark hypothesis always include?

  1: Accurate type of hypothesis (direct or non- direct)

  2:Includes both parts of IV (clear and operationalised)

  3:Including what you think will happen
• What are the two types of hypothesis?


  - Experimental hypothesis (Directional or non-directional)

  - Null hypothesis

  If there is previous research its a directional and if no previous research its a non-directional hypothesis
• What is a directional hypothesis?


  A directional hypothesis predicts the direction of the relationship between the two people/groups
• What is a non-directional hypothesis?

  Suggests there will be a difference but doesn't specify
• What is a null hypothesis?

  A null hypothesis is a statement that assumes there is no significant relationship or difference between variables in a study.
• What is a hypothesis?

  A prediction by the researcher about what they think will happen in the study
• What are confounding variables?

  Confounding variables are factors that are not the main focus of a study but can influence the relationship between the independent and dependent variables, leading to inaccurate or misleading results.
• What are extraneous variables?


  Variables that are not of interest in a study but can potentially influence the outcome.
• What is the control variable?

  The control variable is the variable that is kept constant or unchanged in an experiment.
• What are demand characteristics?

  When the the participants try to guess the aim of the study then act unnaturally as they try to help or ruin the study (Screw-U or Please-U)
• What are investigator effects?


  Any effects of the investigators (conscious or unconscious) behaviours that may effect the outcome (DV). e.g interactions with the participants during the study
• What are standardised procedures?

  Using the exact same procedures and instructions for every participant in a study
• What is randomisation?

  The use of chance to control the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of conditions
• What is experimental design?

  The way participants are organised into the different groups of an experiment
• What is independent groups design?

  Different participants are assigned to each group where each group has a different condition
• What is repeated measures design?

  All participants take part in all conditions of the experiment
• What is matched pairs design?

  Pairs are first matched on a characteristic that may effect the DV (e,g age) then on member is assigned condition A and the other condition B
• What is random allocation?

  Assigning participants to groups randomly to ensure equal chance of being in either condition
• What is counterbalancing?

  An attempt to control order effects in repeated measures design, half the participants experience the conditions in one order the others experience it in another order
• What are order effects?

  The effects that the order of when the participants experience the conditions has on the DV
• Independent groups - Evaluation:

  Strength 1 - Order effect aren't a problem as p's only experience one condition

  Strength 2 - less chance of demand characteristics

  Limitation 1 - The individual differences between the groups may effect the DV instead of the IV - random allocation

  Limitation 2 - Less economical as double amount of participants needed to produce same amount of results as repeated measures
• Repeated measures design - Evaluation:

  Strength 1 - Participant variables are controlled and fewer participants are needed

  Limitation 1 - order of tasks is important (energy drink condition before water condition, energy drink still has effect) - counter balancing needed

  Limitation 2 - Order effects - the participant may become fatigued/ bored or may become better at the task if skill based

  Limitation 3 - Higher chance of demand characteristics
• Matched pairs design - Evaluation:

  Strength 1 - order effects and demand characteristics are less of a problem

  Limitation 1 - Participants can never be fully matched so they may still be differences between them that may effect the DV

  Limitation 2 - Less economical as matching is time consuming and expensive, especially if pre-testing is required
• Lab experiments - evaluation:

  • Strength 1 - High internal validity
  • Strength 2 - High replicability
  • Limitation 1 - Low ecological validity
• Field experiments - EVALUATION:

  • Strength 1 - High ecological validity - Reasonable internal and external validity
  • Limitation 1 - Less control - risk of influence from extraneous variables
• Natural experiments - EVALUATION:

  • Strength 1 - High ecological validity
  • Limitation 1 - Not replicable
  • Limitation 2 - Issue with cause and effect
• Quasi experiment - EVALUATION:

  • Strength 1 - High Control as often carried out like lab experiments
  • Limitation 1 - Not replicable
• What is the population?

  A large number of individuals that a researcher is trying to study
• What is a sample?

  A representative subset or portion of a larger population or group.
• What is a random sample?


  Individuals selected where everyone has the same chance of being selected. Everyone's names for the population are found, everyone is assigned a number then the sample can be picked using computer or with the 'names in a hat method'