VCE Psychology Key Terms - Research Methods

Sample

A group of research participants selected from a larger group (population) of research interest

Population

The entire group of research interest from which a sample is drawn

Research hypothesis

A testable prediction of the relationship between two or more variables under investigation in a research study

Experiment

A research method in which a researcher tests whether one variable(s) influences or causes a change to another variable(s) under strictly controlled conditions

Variable

Something in which individuals, animals or objects differ among themselves, can change in amount or kind, and is measurable

Independent Variable (IV)

A variable that is manipulated in order to test its effects on the dependent variable

Dependent variable (DV)

The variable in an experiment the researcher chooses to measure in order to assess the effect(s) of the independent variable(s)

Experimental group

The group in an experiment who is exposed to the independent variable

Experimental condition

A condition in an experiment in which participants are exposed to the independent variable to determine whether it influences or causes a predicted response as compared with that of the control condition

Control group

The group in an experiment who is not exposed to the independent variable; the group undergoes the control condition and results are used for comparison with the experimental group

Control condition

In an experiment, the standard against which the experimental condition can be compared; involves the control group who are not exposed to the independent variable

Extraneous variable

Any variable other than the independent variable that can cause a change in the independent variable and therefore affect the validity of the results in an unwanted way

Confounding variable

A variable other than the independent variable that has had an unwanted effect on the dependent variable making it impossible to determine which of the variables produced the predicted change in the dependent variable

Individual participant difference

In relation to an experiment, the unique combination of personal characteristics, abilities and backgrounds each participant brings to the research

Non-standardised instruction and procedures

Research procedures (including instructions) that are not the same for all participants (except for exposure to the independent variable by participants in the experimental group)

Order effect

When a participant's response relevant to the dependent variable is influenced by the specific order in which an experimental task, treatment or condition is presented rather than the independent variable

Experimenter effect

An unwanted influence on research participant performance and therefore the results produced by a person carrying out the research

Placebo

In research, an inactive substance or fake treatment that is like the independent variable treatment but which has no known effect

Placebo effect

When there is a change in a participant's behaviour or responses due to their belief that they are receiving some kind of experimental treatment and they respond in accordance with that belief, rather than to the effect of the independent variable

Sampling

The process of selecting participants from a population of research interest

Representative sample

A sample that closely matches the population from which it is drawn in every important participant variable

Biased sample

A research sample that does not adequately represent key characteristics of the population from which it was drawn

Random Sampling

A sample selection procedure that ensures every member of the population of research interest has a genuinely equal chance of being selected as a participant and thereby helps achieve a representative sample

Stratified sampling

A sampling procedure which involves dividing the population to be sampled into different subgroups, then selecting a separate sample from each subgroup in the same proportions as they occur in the population of interest

Convenience sampling

A sample selection procedure involving choice of participants who are readily or most easily available

Random allocation

Procedure used to place participants in experimental and control groups (or conditions) Where every member of the sample has an equal chance of being placed in nay condition of the experiment; ensures uniform distribution of participant characteristics

Counterbalancing

Systematically changing the order of treatments or tasks for participants in a 'balanced' way to 'counter' the unwanted effects on performance of any one order

Single-blind procedure

Helps ensure participants are not aware of the condition of the experiment to which they have been allocated and therefore the experimental treatment (independent variable)

Double-blind procedure

Helps ensure neither the participants nor the researcher interacting with them knows which participants are in an experimental or control group (or condition)

Standardised instructions

In research, when directions and explanations given to all participants in each group (or condition) are identical in terms of what they state and how they are given

Standardised procedures

In research, when a technique for observing and measuring responses is the same for all participants, except for variations associated with exposure to the independent variable

Independent groups design

An experimental research design for which each participant is randomly allocated to one of two (or more) entirely separate groups (conditions);

Repeated measures design

An experimental research design for which each participant is in both the experimental and control groups (and therefore all conditions)

Matched-participants design

An experimental research design for which each participant in one condition 'matches' a participant in the other condition(s) on one or more participant variables of relevance

Cross sectional study

A research method involving selection and comparison of groups of participants on one or more variables of interest at a single point in time

Case study

An intensive, in-depth investigation of some behaviour or event of interest in an individual, group, organisation or situation

Observational study

Collection of data by carefully watching and recording behaviour as it occurs

Naturalistic observations

When the researcher views and records behaviour of interest in the natural, 'real life' environment where it would ordinarily occur

Self report

A participant's written or spoken responses to questions, statements or instructions presented by the researcher

Primary data

Information collected directed by the researcher (or through others) for their own purpose

Secondary data

Information collected by someone other than the original user who did so for their own purpose

Qualitative data

Data (information) involving the 'qualities' or characteristics of a participant's experience of what is being studied

Quantitative data

Numerical information on the 'quantity' or amount of what is being studied

Objective data

Data that is observable, measurable, verifiable and free from the personal bias of the researcher

Subjective data

Information that is based on personal opinion, interpretation, point of view or judgment

Descriptive statistics

Used for analysing, organising, summarising and presenting results

Inferential statistics

Used for interpreting and giving meaning to results

Measures of central tendency

Score that indicates the central value of a set of scores

Mean

The arithmetical average of all the individual scores in a set of scores

Measure of variation

A score that indicates how widely scores are distributed or spread around the central point

Standard deviation

A statistic that summarises how far scores within a set of scores spread out from the mean for those scores

Median

The middle score (or mid-point) of a set of scores

Mode

The most frequently occurring score in a set of scores

Conclusion

A decision about what the results obtained from a research study mean

Generalisation

A decision about how widely the findings of a research study can be applied, particularly to other members of the population from which the sample was drawn

Reliability

The extent to which the results obtained from a research study are consistent, dependable and stable

Validity

The extent to which a research study and its procedures accurately measure what it claims to have measured

Internal validity

The extent to which the results obtained for a study are actually due to the variable(s) that was tested or measured and not some other factor

External validity

The extent to which the results obtained for a study can be generalised to the population from which the sample was drawn or to other people in other settings over time

Ethics

Standards that guide individuals to identify good, desirable or acceptable behaviour

Confidentiality

Refers to the obligation of the researcher (or anyone else) not to use or disclose private information for any purpose other than that for which it was given to them.

Voluntary participation

The researcher must ensure participants voluntarily consent to be involved in a study.

Withdrawal rights

Participants have an unconditional right to opt out of a study at any time without giving a reason for doing so.

Informed consent

Participatns must be informed of the nature of the study and their rights and agree to participate. If the participant is under the age of 18, then parent/guardian consent must be given.

Deception

Occurs when participants are deliberately misled or not fully informed about the aim or some other aspect of the research

Debriefing

Involves clarifying each participant's understanding of the nature of the research as soon as possible after it has been conducted.