Research methods

• Thematic analysis

  A method of qualitative research linked to content analysis, which involves analysing text in a variety of media to identify the patterns within it. A coding system may be needed sort the data and to help to identify patterns.
• Aim

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


  States there is a difference/relationship between the variables/co-variables to be investigated.
• Null Hypothesis

  States there is not a difference/relationship between the variables/co-variables to be investigated.
• Directional Hypothesis


  States the direction of the difference/relationship.
• Non-directional Hypothesis


  Does not state the direction of the difference/relationship.
• Independent Variable


  The variable that changes in the study so the effect on the DV can be measured: may be manipulated by the researcher or change naturally.
• Dependent Variable


  The variable that is measured by the researcher.
• Extraneous Variable


  Any variable other than the IV that may have an effect on the DV if it is not controlled.
• Confounding Variable


  Any variable other than the IV that has affected the DV so we cannot be sure the IV alone has affected the DV.
• Participant Variables


  Differing individual characteristics of participants e.g. age, mood, socioeconomic status etc.
• Control Variable

  A variable that is held constant in order to assess the interaction between the IV and the DV.
• Operationalisation

  How a variable is clearly measured, observed, or manipulated within a particular study.
• Experimental Condition


  The procedure that is varied in order to see the effect of the IV on the DV. It is compared to the control condition.
• Control Condition

  The condition does not contact any experimental treatment or manipulation of the IV. It is compared to the experimental condition.
• Experimental Design


  The different ways in which participants can be organised in relation to the conditions in an experiment.
• Independent Groups


  Pps are allocated to different groups where each group represents one experimental condition (level of the IV) e.g. Condition A/Condition B.
• Repeated Measures


  When pps take part in all the conditions of the experiment.
• Matched Pair

  Pairs of pps are matched in terms of variables relevant to the study. One member of each pair takes part in Condition A of the experiment & the other takes part in Condition B.
• Experimental Method


  The system of scientific investigation to test a hypothesis.
• Laboratory Experiment


  The experiment takes place in a controlled environment within which the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV.
• Field Experiment

  The experiment takes place in a natural setting within which the researcher manipulates the IV and records the effect on the DV.
• Natural Experiment


  The IV pre-exists without the need to be manipulated by the researcher: may take place in a lab or natural setting.
• Quasi Experiment


  An 'experiment' where the IV is based on an existing difference between people but has not been manipulated.
• Mundane Realism


  Degree to which the materials and procedures involved in an experiment are similar to events that occur in the real world.
• Replication


  Opportunity to repeat an investigation under the same conditions in order to the test validity/reliability of findings.
• Demand Characteristics

  Any cue from the researcher or from the research situation that may be interpreted by pp as revealing the purpose of the investigation which may lead to a pp changing their behaviour within the research situation.
• Random Allocation


  An attempt to control for PVs in an independent groups design which ensures that each pp has the same chance of being in 1 condition as the other.
• Investigator Effects


  Any effect of the investigator's behaviour, conscious or unconscious, on the DV (may include experiment design, selection of pp or interaction with pp).
• Validity

  Extent to which an observed effect is genuine - does it measure what it was supposed to measure, and can it be generalised beyond the research setting within it was found.
• Face Validity


  Extent a measure appears to measure what is supposed to measure
• Concurrent Validity


  Extent to which psychological measure relates to an existing measure
• Ecological Validity

  Extent findings can be generalised to other settings/situations.
• Temporal Validity

  Extent findings can be generalised to other historical times and eras
• Internal Validity

  Effects are due solely to IV manipulation and not other factors
• External Validity


  Factors outside of investigation e.g. settings/populations/eras.
• Interpretive Validity

  Extent to which interpretation of events matches those of pp.
• Reliability

  How consistent findings from an investigation or measuring device are.
• Test-Retest Reliability


  A method of assessing the reliability of a questionnaire or psychological test by assessing the same person on 2 separate occasions. This shows to what extent the test produces the same answers.
• Inter-observer Reliability

  Extent to which there is an agreement between 2 or more observers involved in observing a behaviour. This is measured by correlating the observations of 2+ observers. A general rule is that if (total number of agreements)/(total number of observations) > +.8 = high inter-observer reliability.