paper three research methodology terms

ib psychology hl p3 exam study

Qualitative research

An exploratory method used to gain insight into psychological phenomena of interest.

Case studies

Detailed analysis over time of a case, involving an in-depth study of an individual.

Naturalistic observation

Observing naturally occurring behavior in a natural setting, often using field notes; observations can be participant or non-participant.

Experiments

Designed with clear independent and dependent variables, controlling other variables that could influence the dependent variable.

Field experiments

Manipulating the independent variable in a real-life environment.

Quasi-experiments

Participants grouped based on characteristics like gender, ethnicity, or scores on a depression scale.

Natural experiments

Studying naturally occurring variables.

Correlational research

Focuses on two variables without labeling them as independent or dependent, as it cannot establish cause and effect.

Qualitative interviews

Unstructured, semi-structured, or group interviews to understand people's thoughts, opinions, and feelings.

Quantitative interviews

Followed by surveys to collect data from a representative sample for generalization to a larger population.

Matched pair designs

Randomly assigning pairs to control or experimental groups.

Independent measures

Using separate groups assigned to control and experimental conditions.

Repeated measures design

Exposing participants to each condition of the independent variables.

Random sampling

Every member of the target population has an equal chance of selection.

Opportunity/convenience sampling

Selecting available participants.

Volunteer sampling

Participants choose to participate.

Purposive sampling

Selecting participants with useful characteristics for the study.

Snowball sampling

Participants in the study help recruit more through their social network.

Hypotheses

Testable and falsifiable statements based on experiment results; null hypothesis states no effect, while alternate hypothesis predicts an effect.

Independent variable

Factor manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent variable

Factor measured that changes based on the independent variable.

Standardization/control

Eliminating or controlling factors that could influence the dependent variable.