A type of observation where the observer is hidden and therefore participants do not know they are being observed. While this does reduce demand characteristics, it can raise ethical issues around consent
A type of investigation wherein a hypothesis is tested by manipulation of an independent variable, in order to view its effect on the dependent variable
A type of experiment that is conducted in a real life setting, which reduces the amount of control over extraneous variables, however the ecological validity is improved
A type of experiment that is conducted in a highly controlled environment, allowing control over extraneous variables at the expense of ecological validity
A type of experiment in which an independent variable that already exists is tested in its natural environment, greatly reducing the control of extraneous variables. This type of experiment allows for investigation of variables that cannot ethically be created
A type of observation where participants are observed in their natural environment, increasing ecological validity but decreasing the amount of control over extraneous variables
A type of observation where the observer does not join the group under observation. This allows for higher objectivity but reduces the insight that could be achieved with a participant observation
A type of observation where the observer joins the group under observation. This form of observation yields highly valuable qualitative information with insight, but can reduce the objectivity of the researcher
A self-report technique wherein participants answer pre-decided questions, in the form of paper or electronically. This form of self-report allows for anonymity
A form of interview wherein questions are pre-set beforehand, with no flexibility. Usually, these consist of closed questions, and allows for replicability
An inclination to a certain position or thought. For example, in hostile attribution bias, hostility or negativity is more likely to be assumed from a neutral face
An observational technique wherein participants' possible behaviours are separated into more specific components. This allows for operationalisation of the behaviour. For example, splitting aggression into categories of "swearing" and "punching"
A type of extraneous variable that is related to the independent variable in the experiment. For example, if you were testing the effects of anxiety on memory recall, the relative levels of sensitivity to anxiety-inducing stimuli would be a confounding variable
To make half of the participant sample experience the different conditions of the experiment in one order, and the other half of the participants complete it in the opposite order
The variable that changes in response to manipulation of the researcher, that is being measured for the experiment. For example, if you were testing the effects of anxiety on memory recall, memory recall would be the dependent variable
Variables other than the independent variable that have an effect on the dependent variable. For example, if you were testing the effects of anxiety on memory recall, the intelligence levels of the participants could be an extraneous variable
The quality of being able to be proven wrong. For example, the proposition "All crows are black" could be falsified by observing one white crow. Thus, the statement is falsifiable, even if a white crow has not been hitherto observed
An experimental design wherein different participants are involved in different conditions of the experiment. For example, using two different groups of people to test the effect of music on memory recall, with one group memorising during music playing and the other in silence
The variable that is manipulated by the researcher to observe its effects on the dependent variable. For example, if you were testing the effects of anxiety on memory recall, anxiety would be the independent variable