Research methods (Chap 1) [2/4]

laboratory experiment

A research method in which there is an IV, a DV and strict controls. It looks for a casual relationship and is conducted in a setting that is not in the usual environment for the participants with regard to the behaviour they are performing

field experiment

An investigation looking for a casual relationship in which an independent variable is manipulated and is expected to be responsible for changes in the dependent variable. It is conducted in the normal environment for the participants for the behaviour being investigated and some control of variables is possible.

generalise

To apply the findings of a study more widely, e.g. to other settings and populations

Ecological validity

The extent to which the findings of research conducted in one situation would generalise to other situations. This is influenced by whether the situation (e.g. a laboratory) represents the real world effectively and whether the task is relevant to real life (has mundane realism)

Informed consent

Knowing enough about a study to decide whether you want to agree to participate

Right to withdraw

A participant should know they can remove themselves, and their data, from a study at any time

Protection from harm

Participants should not be exposed to any greater physical or psychological risk that they would expect in their day to day life.

Deception

Participants should not be deliberately misinformed (lied to) about the aim of the procedure or study. If this is unavoidable, the study should be planned to minimise the risk of distress, and participants should be thoroughly debriefed. It may be done to reduce the effects of demand characteristics but should be avoided

Privacy

participants' emotions and physical space should not be invaded, for example they should not be observed in situations or places where they would not expect to be seen.

Confidentiality

participants' results and personal information should be kept safely and not released to anyone outside the study

Hypothesis

A testable statement based on the aims of an investigation

alternative hypothesis

the testable statement predicting a difference in the DV between levels of the independent variable in an experiment (or a relationship between variables in a correlation)

Non directional (two tailed) hypothesis

Statement predicting only that one variable will be related to another, e.g. that there will be a difference in the DV between levels of the IV in an experiment (or that there will be a relationship between the measured variables in a correlation.)

Directional (one tailed) hypothesis

A statement predicting the direction of a relationship between variables, for example in an experiment whether the levels of the IV will produce an increase or a decrease in DV (or in correlation whether an increase in one variable will be linked to an increase or decrease in another variable)

Null hypothesis

a testable statement saying that any difference or correlation in the results is due to chance, i.e. that no pattern in the results has arisen because of the variables being studied.

Self report

A research method, such as a questionnaire or interview, which obtains data by asking participants to provide information about themselves.

Questionnaire

a self report research method that uses written questions through a 'paper and pencil' or online technique

Closed questions

A question format in questionnaires, interviews or test items that produces quantitative data. They have only a few, stated alternative responses and no opportunity to expand on answers

Open questions

A question format in questionnaires, interviews or test items that produces qualitative data. Participants give full and detailed answers in their own words, that is, no categories and choices are given

Inter-rater reliability

The extent to which two researches interpreting qualitative responses in a questionnaire (or interview) will produce the same records from the same raw data

Generalisability

how widely findings apply, e.g. to other settings and populations

Social desirability bias

Trying to present oneself in the best light by determining how to respond to the task in a way that would be acceptable to other people, rather than the researcher

Filler questions

Items put into a questionnaire, interview or test to disguise the aim of the study by hiding the important questions among irrelevant ones so that participants are less likely to work out the aims and then alter their behaviour

Interview

A research method using verbal questions asked directly, using techniques such as face to face or telephone

Structured interview

An interview format using questions in a fixed order that may be scripted. Consistency might also be required for the interviewer's posture, voice, etc, so they are standardised

Unstructured interview

An interview format in which most questions (after the first one) depend on the respndent's answers. A list of topics may be given to the interviewer

Semi-structured interview

An interview format using a fixed list of open and closed questions. The interviewer can add more questions if necessary.