Component 2

Subdecks (4)

Cards (284)

  • aim
    a statement of the purpose of the study
  • Alternative hypothesis
    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