Research Methods

Investigation Aim

the purpose of the study

To investigate the effect of the IV on the DV of subject - what is this?

Investigation Aim

Investigation Question

the question that is to be solved by the study

Definition of a Hypothesis

an idea or explanation for something that is based on know facts bu has not yet been proven

Definition of a Independent Variable

The variable that is being manipulated by the researcher

Definition of a Dependent variable

the variable that is being manipulated

Definition of a Controlled Experiment

An experimental investigation of the relationship between one or more variables and a dependent variable, in which all other variables are controlled.

Definition of an Extraneous Variable

a variable other than the independent variables that may have unwanted effects on the dependent variable and results of the investigation.

List Extraneous Variables (4)

• Environmental

• Participant

• Demand

• Experimental

Definition of a Controlled Variable

a variable that is held constant to ensure that the only influence on the dependent variable is the independent variable.

Definition of a Confounding Variable

an unwanted variable that has effected the results of an investigation

Definition of a Population

the wider group of people the study us investigating

Definition of a Sample

The smaller group of people selected to participate in the investigation

Definition of Random Sampling

Selecting participants from the population in a way that every person the population has an equal chance of being selected to participate in study.

Benefit of Random Sampling

• Large enough random sample is likely to be representative of the population, improving external validity

Limitation of Random Sampling

• small sample may not be representative of the population, reducing external validity

• may be difficult and unethical to obtain the names of all member of the population

Definition of Stratified Sampling

first divine the population into subgroups and then randomly selecting participants form the subgroups in proportion to how they appear in the population.

Benefits of Stratified Sampling

• large enough sample is likely to be representative of the population, improving external validity

• Important subgroups of a population are ensure fair representation

Limitations of Stratified Sampling

• It may be difficult, impossible and unethical to obtain names of all memberr of the population and subgroup

• More time consuming than using random sampling because of pre-testing need form and select subgroups

Definition of Investigation Methodology

The particular type of research study

Definition of Allocaiton

dividing a sample into groups in an investigation

Definition of Random Allocation

Dividing the sample into groups in such a way that each participant has an equal chance of being selected for the controlled or experimental group.

Limitations of a Controlled Experiment

• require strictly controlled conditions, which may be difficult to maintain so results may be influenced by extraneous variables

• External validity may be low of the conditions are too artificial to extrapolate results to the population of interest outside the study.

Benefits of a Controlled Experiment

• can identify a cause-and-effect relationship between an IV and a DV

• Results may be generalised to the population of interest if the study has good validity

• can be repeated to gather more data and test the reproducibility and repeatability of results

Definition of an Experimental Group

the group that is exposed to the independent variable and receives the experimental treatment.

Definition of a Control Group

the group that forms a baseline level to compare the experimental group with.

What does Investigation design refer to?

• between subject design

• within subject design

• mixed subject design

Definition of Between subject design

an investigation design in which participants are randomly allocated to either the control or the experimental condition

Strength of a Between Subject Design

• most time-efficient design as both groups can be tested at the same time

• Better control over participant knowledge of the study and order effects

Limitations of a Between Subject Design

• more participants are needed than a within subject design

• less control over extraneous variable participant variables between groups, may influence results in an unwanted way, lowering validity

Definition of a Within Subject Design

an investigation design in which all participants in the sample are involved in both the experimental and control control conditions

Strengths of a Within Subject Design

• no extraneous participant variables as participants are kept constant, improving validity

• fewer participants are needed than in a between subject design.

Limitations of a Within Subject Design

• more time-consuming than a between subject design because bother conditions can not be tested at the same time

• higher rate of participant withdrawal than a between subject design as there is more testing.

• increased change of order effects influencing the study, lowering validity

Definition of a Case Study

a type of investigation of a particular activity, behaviour, event. person or problem that contains a real or hypothetical situation and includes real-world complexities

Strengths of a Case Study

• case studies are useful when a limited number of participants are available

• can be used to study experiences and events that would be impossible or unethical to create in a controlled experiment.

Limitations of a Case Study

• One person or a small group cannot be representative of a population so results form a case study cannot be generalised to the population, low external validity

• May not be repeatable to gain more data or test the reliability of results

Definition of a Correlation Study

a type of investigation that involves planned observation and recording of events and behaviours that have not be manipulated or controlled to understand the relationships or associations between variables.

Strengths of a Correlation Study

• Can identify the strength and direction of. relationship between variables

• observation of behaviours with no manipulation may result it more natural and genuine behaviours

Limitations of a Case Study

• Correlation doesn’t equal or imply causation

• Large amount of data is required

Definition of Ethical Concepts

general ethical considerations used to analyse the ethical and moral aspects of conduct surrounding psychological issues and investigations

List Ethical concepts (5)

• Integrity

• Justice

• Beneficience

• Non-malificence

• Respect

Definition of Integrity

the commitment to searching for knowledge and understanding and the honest reporting of all sources of information and results

Definition of Justice

Consideration of competing claims and no burden on a particular group and fair access to benefits of an action

Definition of Beneficence

commitment to maximising benefits and minimising risks and harm

Definition of Non-maleficence

avoidance of causing harm

Definition of Respect

consideration of the value of living things, giving due regard and consideration of the capacity if living things to make their own descions

Name all Ethical Guidelines (6)

• Confidentiality

• Voluntary Participation

• Informed Consent

• Withdrawal Rights

• Deception in Research

• Debriefing

Definition of Confidentiality

ensures participants remain anonymous and their personal information is kept anonymous and private and secure throughout the study.

Definition of Voluntary Participation

each participant freely agrees to participate in a study, with no pressure or coercion

Definition of Informed Consent

participants agree to participate after they have received all the details of the study including the purpose, procedures and potential risks.

Definition of Withdrawal Rights

participants are free to discontinue their involvement in a study at any point during or after the conclusion fo the study without receiving any penalty

Definition of Deception

withholding of the true nature of the study form the participants when their knowledge of the true purpose may effect their behaviour and subsequent validity of the investigation.

Definition of Debriefing

provision of information to participants at the end of the study including the studies true aims, results, conclusions and answering any questions and clarifying mistakes, deception and providing support to avoid long-lasting harm

Definition of Primary Data

Data obtained through first-hand research

Definition of Secondary Data

data obtained second hand through research conducted by another person

Definition of Qualitative Data

data that describes characteristics and qualities

Definition of Quantitative Data

data that includes measurable values and quantities that can be compared on a numerical scale

Definition of Standard deviation

a statistic that shows the spread of the data around the mean

Definition of Accuracy

how close a measurement is to the true value of the quantity being measured

Definition of Validity

whether a measurement mausures what it is supposed to measure

Definition of Internal Validity

whether a study investigates what it is set out or claims to investigate

Definition of External Validity

whether the results of research can be applied to similar individuals in a diffrent setting

Definition of Personal Error

a mistake, miscalculation or observer error made when conducting research

Definition of Measurement Error

the difference between the measured value and the true value

Definition of Systematic Error

causes reading to differ from the true values by a consistent amount each time

Definition of a Random Error

creates unpredictable variations in the measurement process and results in a spread of readings

Definition of Uncertainty

lack of exact knowledge of the true value being measured