Research methods

Created by

Zoe Haskins

Cards (220)

what is a hypothesis?
a clear, precise testable statement about what you predict will be the outcome of a study
-includes both the independent and dependent variables
-is operationalised
what does operationalised mean?
it is clear how the variables will be measured
what is an independent variable? 
a factor which is manipulated by the researcher or changes naturally
what is the dependent variable? 
the factor you measure in the experiment and is affected by the independent variable
what is a non directional hypothesis?
non directional hypotheses state that an effect will occur
-two tailed
what is a directional hypothesis?
directional hypotheses predict the direction of the effect
-one tailed - because there is only one direction that results are predicted to go in
when do you use directional and non directional hypotheses?
-most hypotheses are directional because there is evidence (usually past research) to suggest that it is likely
-non directional hypotheses are used when there is contradictory evidence and it is difficult to predict which direction of the results
what are the four types of experiments?
-laboratory experiments
-field experiments
-natural experiments
-quasi experiments
what are lab experiments?
-deliberately there to do a study
-takes place in a controlled environment
what are strengths of lab experiments?
-high control over extraneous variables (ensures the effect on the DV is likely to be caused by change in IV). Can establish cause and effect relationships
-high internal validity - the study measures what it is supposed to measure
-replication is more possible than other types of experiment due to the high level of control. Replication is important to check to see if results are valid and not just a one off
what are limitations of lab experiments?
-lab experiments may lack generalisability - a controlled environment may be artificial and not like real life. People may behave a different way to real life so the results may not be generalisable beyond the research setting - low external validity
-people are usually aware they are being tested and may change their behaviour - demand characteristics
-the tasks themselves may not represent real life experiences - low mundane realism
what are field experiments?
-the IV is manipulated in a more natural everyday setting
-participants are usually unaware they are in a study
what are strengths of field experiments?
-high mundane realism as the environment is more natural - leads to more natural behaviour and higher external validity
-no demand characteristics
what are limitations of field experiments?
-lack of control over extraneous variables- this means you may not be measuring the effect of the IV on the DV - hard to establish a cause and effect relationship
-hard to replicate
-ethical issues - people can't give their consent to take part if they dont know they are in a study
what is a natural experiment?
-similar to field experiment but the experimenter cannot control the independent variable - for either practical or ethical reasons
-the experiment occurs naturally. The experimenter just notices the conditions are like an experiment and records the findings
what are strengths of natural experiments?
-provides opportunities for research where the experimenter isn't able to manipulate the IV (more ethical as event is happening anyway)
-high external validity as the researcher often measuring real life issues
what are limitations of natural experiments?
-researcher does not manipulate the IV so very difficult to replicate
-participants are not randomly assigned to experimental conditions so hard to see if IV has caused the effect on the DV
what are quasi experiments?
have an IV based on an existing difference between people
what are strengths of quasi experiments?
-high control over extraneous variables (ensures the effect on the DV is likely to be caused by change in IV). Can establish cause and effect relationships
-high internal validity - the study measures what it is supposed to measure
-replication is more possible than other types of experiment due to the high level of control. Replication is important to check to see if results are valid and not just a one off
what are limitations of quasi experiments?
cannot randomly allocate people to experimental conditions so extraneous variables may affect the outcome
what are extraneous variables? 
those things which might make a difference to the experimental outcome (other than the independent variable)
what is a confounding variable?
an extraneous variable that has not been controlled and has affected the outcome of the study
what are participant and situational variables?
participant variables = any individual differences between the participants that may affect the DV
situational variables = features of the situation that may effect the DV
what are demand characteristics? 
make people behave in the way they think the experimenter wants them to or makes them behave in a manner opposite to what they think the expectations are
what is researcher bias? 
one of the problems faced by psychologists is that they are people conducting research on people -this can lead to a whole range of problems relating to bias, subjectivity and expectations
-loose procedures - not treating all participants the same way
-subtle cues - (body language etc) that lead participants to behave in certain ways
-fudging results - missing out results that dont 'fit in
how can you reduce researcher bias?
-use of standardised instructions and procedures
-getting a researcher to work with participants who does not know the experimental aims
-use randomisation
how do you avoid demand characteristics?
-dont use repeated measures if demand characteristics are likely
-decieve participants
-ask participants not to discuss the experiment with other participants
-use standardised instructions and procedures
-use naive participants (who are less likely to guess the aim)
what is the double blind technique?
reduces both experimenter an participant bias because neither the experimenter nor the participant knows the aims of the experiment until afterwards
what are the three types of experimental designs?
-independent groups/measures
-repeated measures
-matched pairs
what is independent groups/meausres?
different participants are used for 2 conditions of the IV
what is repeated measures? 
the same participants are used for both conditions of the IV
what is matched pairs?
different participants are for the 2 conditions but each group is matched on characteristics relevant to the study
what are strengths of repeated measures?
-fewer participants needed
-no participant variables
what are limitations of repeated measures?
-order effect are a problem
-demand characteristics more likely
what are strengths of independent groups?
-no order effects
-demand characteristics less likely
what are limitations of independent groups?
-participant variables - these may affect the DV instead of change in IV
-more participants needed
what are strengths of matched pairs?
-no order effects
-demand characteristics less likely
-participant variables reduced
wha are limitations of matched pairs?
-need information to match pairs on
-pre-test might be need -time consuming and expensive
how does random allocation address the problem of participant variables?
participants are allocated across conditions using random techniques - this makes it more likely to get an equal mix of participants in each group
-place letters A and B in a hat and researcher selects them one by one to each group
-allocate each participant a number and get a random number generator to select numbers at random - 1st half in condition A, 2nd half in B
what are order effects?
-this occurs because participants are required to take part in both conditions of the experiment
-may perform differently the second time the do the task simply because it is the second time they have done the task and not due to the IV
--practice, boredom, fatigue