PSYCH- PAPER TWO

• Experimental group


  The group that received the experimental treatment (e.g. sleep deprivation)
• External validity


  Whether it is possible to generalise the results beyond the experimental setting.
• Extraneous variable


  Variables that if not controlled may affect the DV and provide a false impression than an IV has produced changes when it hasn't.
• Face validity


  Simple way of assessing whether a test measures what it claims to measure which is concerned with face value - e.g. does an IQ test look like it tests intelligence.
• Field experiment


  An experiment that takes place in a natural setting where the experimenter manipulates the IV and measures the DV
• Histogram


  A graph that is used for continuous data (e.g. test scores). There should be no space between the bars, because the data is continuous.
• Hypothesis


  This is a formal statement or prediction of what the researcher expects to find. It needs to be testable.
• Independent groups design


  An experimental design where each participants only takes part in one condition of the IV
• Independent variable


  The variable that the experimenter manipulates (changes).
• Inferential statistics


  Inferential statistics are ways of analyzing data using statistical tests that allow the researcher to make conclusions about whether a hypothesis was supported by the results.
• Informed consent


  Psychologists should ensure that all participants are helped to understand fully all aspects of the research before they agree (give consent) to take part
• Inter-observer reliability


  The extent to which two or more observers are observing and recording behaviour in the same way
• Internal validity


  In relation to experiments, whether the results were due to the manipulation of the IV rather than other factors such as extraneous variables or demand characteristics.
• Interval level data


  Data measured in fixed units with equal distance between points on the scale
• Investigator effects


  These result from the effects of a researcher's behaviour and characteristics on an investigation.
• Laboratory experiment


  An experiment that takes place in a controlled environment where the experimenter manipulates the IV and measures the DV
• Matched pairs design


  An experimental design where pairs of participants are matched on important characteristics and one member allocated to each condition of the IV
• Mean


  Measure of central tendency calculated by adding all the scores in a set of data together and dividing by the total number of scores
• Measures of central tendency


  A measurement of data that indicates where the middle of the information lies e.g. mean, median or mode
• Median


  Measure of central tendency calculated by arranging scores in a set of data from lowest to highest and finding the middle score
• Meta-analysis


  A technique where rather than conducting new research with participants, the researchers examine the results of several studies that have already been conducted
• Mode


  Measure of central tendency which is the most frequently occurring score in a set of data
• Natural experiment


  An experiment where the change in the IV already exists rather than being manipulated by the experimenter
• Naturalistic observation


  An observation study conducted in the environment where the behaviour would normally occur
• Negative correlation


  A relationship exists between two covariables where as one increases, the other decreases
• Nominal level data


  Frequency count data that consists of the number of participants falling into categories. (e.g. 7 people passed their driving test first time, 6 didn't).
• Non-directional hypothesis


  A two-tailed hypothesis that does not predict the direction of the difference or relationship (e.g. girls and boys are different in terms of helpfulness).
• Normal distribution


  An arrangement of a data that is symmetrical and forms a bell shaped pattern where the mean, median and mode all fall in the centre at the highest peak
• Observed value


  The value that you have obtained from conducting your statistical test
• Observer bias


  Occurs when the observers know the aims of the study study or the hypotheses and allow this knowledge to influence their observations
• Open questions


  Questions where there is no fixed response and participants can give any answer they like. They generate qualitative data.
• Operationalising variables


  This means clearly describing the variables (IV and DV) in terms of how they will be manipulated (IV) or measured (DV).
• Opportunity sample


  A sampling technique where participants are chosen because they are easily available
• Order effects


  Can occur in a repeated measures design and refers to how the positioning of tasks influences the outcome e.g. practice effect or boredom effect on second task
• Ordinal level data


  Data that is capable of being out into rank order (e.g. places in a beauty contest, or ratings for attractiveness).
• Overt observation


  Also known as a disclosed observation as the participants given their permission for their behaviour to be observed
• Participant observation


  Observation study where the researcher actually joins the group or takes part in the situation they are observing.
• Peer review


  Before going to publication, a research report is sent other psychologists who are knowledgeable in the research topic for them to review the study, and check for any problems
• Pilot study


  A small scale study conducted to ensure the method will work according to plan. If it doesn't then amendments can be made.
• Positive correlation


  A relationship exists between two covariables where as one increases, so does the other