formulating research and methodology

• independent - what you change

  dependent - what you measure

  extraneous - any unwanted variable that might affect the experiment
• directional hypothesis - compares the predicted outcome of each condition. eg caffine increases energy levels

  non-directional hypothesis - declares there is a difference between conditions but doesn't specify the type of difference

  (quanlitative). eg caffine changes energy levels
• inquiry question (qualitative)- instead of hyppothesis inquiry question can be made


  eg will drinking more water make your skin more hydrated?
• experimental research - independent variable can be manipulated and cause and effect can be found
• non experimental research - no independent variable, more observing what occurs
• correlation - relationship between A and B


  causation - A = B
• Observational study


  Observing and studying behaviour

  • can be replicated and participants are more likely to act natural
  • observer bias may occur and ethical guidelines may be breached when participants are unknowingly being observed
• Case study


  in depth investigation of one particular person, group or event that cant be replicated in a lab eg Phineas gage

  • detailed information is gathered from a range of different perspectives
  • results can't be generalised and cant be replicated in a lab
• correlation 


  measures relationship between two variables

  • hypothesis based on correlation can be tested
  • doesn't show how variables are related and extraneous variable aren't controlled
• longitudinal


  data is collected more than once using the same participants

  • development trends can be studied
  • takes longer time to get results than cross esctional and participants can drop out
• cross sectional - data from participants are collected at one point in time eg voting

  • quicker than longitudinal and cost less
  • only snapshots are chosen and results may differ if it was conducted at a different time
• sources and effects of extranesous variables

  • experimenter effect: the expectations and behaviours of the researcher that may bias the results
  • demand characteristics: cues participants receive during a study that may lead them to believe they have discovered the aim of the study or the expectations of the researcher.
• sinlge blind procedure

  the experimenter is aware of the experimental conditions while the participants are unaware of them
• mixed method - combination of quantitative and qualitative methods of research

  • greater understanding of research and different perspective
  • greater time required to collect data
• validity - degree to which a measurement tool evaluates what it is designed to measure
• reliability - degree to which measurement tool produces consistent results
• mean - average

  • all scores are included
  • can be influenced by an outlie
• Rating scale - quantify's abstract concepts. usually on scale of 1-10.

  can be bias though