A testable statement that a piece of research attempts to support or reject
Directional hypothesis
a hypothesis that suggests there will be a difference/relationship between variable,where the IV will affect the DV in one specific direction or outcome.
Non-directional hypothesis
A hypothesis that suggests there will be a difference/relationship between the variables,the IV will affect the DV,but does not state a specific direction/outcome for results.
Null hypothesis
A hypothesis that suggests there will be on difference/relationship between variables,any does occur does so by chance
Independent variable
The variable that is being manipulated that controls to see how it affects behaviour.
Dependant variable
The variable that is being measured by the psychologist
Co-variables
indicate 2 or more quantities being measured in a correlation by the researcher that may or may not vary with each other
Operationalisation
giving a precise definition of the behaviour being manipulated/observed/measured.Allows repetition and raises reliability.
Confounding variable
variables that are not being measured or manipulated by the researcher,that affect SOME participants behaviour.Lowers validity
Extraneous variables
variables in a study that are not being measured or manipulated by the researcher but affect ALL participants.
Experiments
a research method where cause and effect is measured,through the control and manipulation of key variables,and participants are randomly allocated to experimental/control groups.
Quasi-experiments
research where the experimenter has NOT deliberately manipulated the IV and the participants are NOT randomly selected.e.g natural experiments
Natural experiments
a research method where the IV arises naturally,although the DV can still be measured in a lab or any other location.Used if its unethical to manipulate the IV
Participant observations
a research method where the researcher takes on the role of a participant whilst observing the other participants behaviour around them
Non-participant observation
a research method where the researcher watches and records participants behaviour from a distance without interfering
Content analysis
a research method which involves exploration of behaviour to see what categories,codes or themes emerge,and tallying each time material fits a theme.Converts qualitative data into quantitative
Structured interviews
a research method that includes standardised questions ,are known as an interview schedule ,usually face to face
Questionnaires
a research method that includes a list of written questions,which generate closed and or open answers.
Semi-structured interviews
a research method that involves asking participants questions,usually face to face.Can be in the form of an interview schedule,but could also include follow up questions to expand on answers
Correlation studies
a research method which involves an in-depth investigation of a phenomenon,which uses a descriptive analysis of a person,group or event.
Self-reports
a method which involves a participant reporting their own thoughts and feelings through methods such as interviews
Quantitative data
a type of data that can be measured numerically ,so statistical analysis can be completed
qualitative data
a type of data that can be observed,but not measured numerically.It usually takes the form of words,thoughts,feelings and is difficult to analyse
Primary sources
information sources/data that is directly collected by the researcher first-hand
Secondary sources
information sources/data that have not been directly colleced/created by the researcher
Cross-sectional studies
a method which involves comparing one group of participants,representing a cross-section of society,against another at the same point in time
Brain scans
a research method which involves taking images of the living brain to investigate brain function
Longitudinal studies/research
a method which involves conducting research over a long period of time in order to observe long-term effects of X on a specific behaviour.
Conducting research in a lab
a location of research where scientific research and measurement can be taken using specialist/large equipment.Conditions and variables are controlled and procedures are standardised
conducting research in the field
a location of research outside of the lab,in a natural setting.Uses standardised procedures but cant control confounding variable as well as in a lab
conducting research online
a location of research where the participants are accessed via the internet/social networks/mobile apps.Often involves questionnaires but can also be experimental etc
Target population
the group of individuals the researcher is interested in studying
Sampling frames
a group/population that is identified when it is unrealistic to study the whole target population
Random sampling
a sampling technique where participants are selected from the sampling frame,where everyone has an equal chance of being selected
Opportunity sampling
a sampling technique where participants are selected at the researchers convenience without knowing any details about the sample in advance
Systematic sampling
a sampling technique where every nth person on the list is selected by the researcher
stratified sampling
a sampling technique where the target group is divided into subgroups
quota sampling
a sampling technique where the target population is divided into subgroups
Self-selected sampling
a sampling technique where participants volunteer for research