Research Methods Key Terms

• Experimental method


  Manipulation of IV to measure the effect of the DV
• Aim


  A general statement of what the researcher intends to investigate; the purpose of the study.
• Hypothesis


  Clear, precise testable statement that states the relationship between the variables to be investigated
• Directional hypothesis


  States the direction of the difference or relationship
• Non-directional hypothesis


  Does not state the direction of the difference or relationship
• Null hypothesis


  States there will be no difference or relationship
• Variables


  anything that can vary between an investigation. Generally used in experiments to determine if changes in one thing result in changes to another
• Independent variable


  Some aspect of the experimental situation that is manipulated by the researcher - or changes naturally - so the effect of the DV can be measured
• Dependent variable


  The variable that is measured by the researcher. Any effect on the DV should be caused by the change in the iV
• Operationalism


  Clearly defining variables in terms of how they can be measured
• Extraneous variables


  any variables other than the independent variable that may affect the DV if not controlled
• Confounding variables


  A kind of extraneous variables but the key feature is that a confounding variable varies within IV
• Demand characteristics


  cues in an experiment that tell the participant what behavior is expected
• Investigator effects


  Any effect of the investigator behaviours on the DV. This may include everything from the design to the interaction with participants
• Randomisation


  The use of chance in order to control for the effects of bias when designing materials and deciding the order of conditions.
• Standardisation


  Using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study.
• Experimental design


  The different ways in which participants can be organised in relation to the experimental conditions
• Independent groups design


  Participants are allocated to different groups where each group represents one experimental condition
• Matched pairs design


  Pairs of participants are first matched on some variable(s) that may affect the DV. Then one member of the pair is assigned to Condition A and the other to Condition B.
• Repeated measures design


  All participants take part in all conditions of the experiment
• Random allocation


  An attempt to control participant variables in an independent groups design, which ensures that each participant has the same chance of being in one condition as any other.
• Counterbalancing


  Attempts to control order effects in a repeated design: half the participants experience the condition in one order, and the other half in the opposite order
• Laboratory experiment


  Takes place in a controlled environment within the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effects on the DV, whilst maintaining strict control of extraneous variables
• Field experiment


  An experiment that takes place in a natural setting where the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV.
• Natural experiment


  Change in the IV is not brought about by the researcher would have happened either way. Researcher records the effect on a DV they have decided on
• Quasi experiment


  The IV has not been determined by anyone the variables simply exist e.g. being old or young.
• Population


  Group of people who are the focus of the researchers interest from which a smaller sample is drawn
• Sample


  A group of people who take part in a research investigation. The sample is drawn from a population and is presumed to be representative of that population
• Random sampling


  Sampling technique where every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected
• Opportunity sampling


  Used to select participants from a target group. Researcher selects anyone who is available and willing to take part in the study
• Volunteer sampling


  Participants select to become part of the study because they volunteer when asked or respond to an advert
• Systematic sampling


  Uses a predetermined system to select the participants from a target population
• Stratified sampling


  Researcher stratifies the target group into sections, each representing a key group that should be present in the final sample
• Bias


  Certain groups are over or under represented within the sample selected
• Generalisation


  The extent to which findings and conclusions from a particular experiment can be broadly applied to the population
• Ethical issues


  Arise when a conflict exists between the rights of participants in research studies and the goals of research to produce authentic, valid and worthwhile data.
• BPS code of ethics


  Legal document produced by BPS that instructs sociologists in the UK about what behaviour is and isn't acceptable when dealing with participants
• Pilot study


  a small trial versions of proposed studies to test their effectiveness and make improvements; helpful in identifying potential issues early which can then be rectified before committing to a full investigation
• Naturalistic observation


  Watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which it would normally occur.
• Controlled observation


  Watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment