Research methods Y12 T1

independent variable

the variable you change

Dependent variable

the one you measure

control variable

the one you keep the same

Extraneous variable

any factor other than the IV that could influence the DV

What is a hypothesis

precise and testable statement which states explicitly what the psychologist thinks will happen in the experiment/piece of research.

What is a null hypothesis

that there will be no effect and that observed differences or will be due to chance factors, also exists so the alternative hypothesis can be proved wrong.

What is an alternative hypothesis

States that any differences between conditions, or relationships between variables, will be significant.

one tailed hypothesis

predicts the direction of the effect that one variable will have on an other - more, less, better etc.

two tailed hypothesis

when you predict that there will be a difference or relationship, but you don’t say which direction it will go e.g there will be a difference in performance among those who revise and those who don’t

situational variables

Variables relating to where the research takes place e.g the room could be stuffy or too cold

participant variables

Variables relating to the individuals taking part, causes custom errors. e.g mood, tired, intellect

What is a lab experiment

an experiment that takes place in a controlled environment

strengths of lab experiment

The highly controlled nature of the environment, extraneous variables can be minimised

Also, this means that it is easily replicable – which gives it high external reliability (because we can assume we will get similar results in those replications).

Ethical issues are minimised as participants always know that they are being studied.

weaknesses of lab experiment

artificial (ppts know they are being studied) It therefore has low mundane realism (it is not like a real life situation) so it also has low ecological validity. IV and DV have poor validity

What is a quasi experiment

an experiment where the IV is naturally occuring

strengths of quasi experiment

allows researchers to investigate problems that society faces, IV cannot be manipulated

weaknesses of quasi experiment

cannot demonstrate cause and effect, ppts may be aware they are being studied, certain indidivuals can be over studied.

field experiment

This is an experiment which takes place in the natural environment in which the type of behaviour would typically occur

strengths of field experiment

takes place in real life settings, higher mundane realism, can show cause and effect, IV and DV can be operationalised.

weaknesses of field experiment

more expensive, you can study people who do not know they are being studed (unethical), extraneous variables are much harder to control

why are quasi experiments used

only way to investiate certain phenomena e.g sperry, unethical to manipulate DV,

independent groups

Different participants are used in each condition, i.e nobody takes part in another person’s condition

repeated measures

the same ppts take part in each condition

matched pairs

matched on qualities that are key to the study. The ideal matched pairs are identical twins

Harvard referencing system order

Surname, INITIAL. (Year) Title of article. Journal Title, Volume (issue number), page numbers.

What is an opportunity sample

A sample where you use the most easily avaliable ppts

What is a volunteer sample

A sample where you put up a flyer / advertise your experiment and people will sign up to do it

What is a snowball sample

A sample where you tell one / a few ppts to spread the experiment via word of mouth

What is a random sample

A sample where every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected,

What is interval data

numerical data measured on a scale with equal distances (intervals) between points, allowing for addition and subtraction (like finding averages), but lacking a true zero,

What is quantitiative data

Information that can be expressed numerically

What is qualitative data

Information that is expressed non numerically / descriptive

What is primary data

Firsthand information collected by the researcher, costly to produce, accurate

What is secondary data

Existing information e.g books and articles, cheap, not always accurate

What is social desirability bias

the tendency for people to answer questions in a way that makes them look good or socially acceptable

What are the four ethical gudelines that researchers must follow

respect, integrity, competance, responsibility

respect

informed consent, ppts have the right to withdraw, Protecting confidential information

Competance

Researchers should ensure that they act within their own capabilities, not giving advice to participants if they are not qualified to do so

Responsibility

Protecting participants from harm, ensuring they are debriefed

integrity

Ensuring participants are not deceived

What is a structured observation

The researcher uses various systems to organise observations e.g coding frames

Strengths of a structured observation

Gives ideas and tips of what to look out for

Allows quick notes to be made → less likely to miss relevant observations → can tick and not look, more consistent

Replicability

Weakness of structured observation

An observer might follow the structure and not record any other behaviour observed.

Can not be specific enough

Some relevant behaviour may be missed, this effects validity

What is a unstructured observation

The researcher records all relevant behaviour but has no system

Strengths of unstructured observation

You can record unpredictable behaviour as it might not show in a coding frame

Weaknesses of unstructured observation

You could miss other behaviours if you are too busy writing out behaviour observed before

What is a behavioural category

Defined when the dependent variable is operationalised. This means that they break down the behaviour into specific sub-types of behaviour that can be more easily recorded using a tally etc. (what I used in the Y7 latin lesson)

What is a coding frame

Allow for more specific observations to be made in behavoural categories. If a behavioural category was kicking, you would have codes that are more specific such as the strength or type of kick

What is event sampling

When researchers count the number of times a particular behaviour occurs throughout the entire duration of the observation. 

What is time sampling

When behaviour is recorded at given time intervals, such as every 5 seconds for 20 minutes or for the first 10 seconds of every minute

Advantages of event sampling

No relevant behaviours will be missed as researchers are counting the number of times that relevant behaviour occurs.

You can select useful behaviour to record

Disadvantages of event sampling

Some behaviours could be missed if there is too much going on 

Quality of the recording is very dependent on the behavioural categories

Advantages of time sampling

Provides a clear frame of when to record things

Allows you to see how behaviour differs over the course of the observation period 

Disadvantages of time sampling

Some behaviours can be missed outside the intervals which reduces validity 

If the intervals are too short, there may not be time to record all the behaviour accurately

What is a controlled observation

a method where participants are observed in a situation in which some variables are controlled by the researcher, usually in a lab, undertaking a set task.

What is a naturalistic observation

A method by which behaviour is studied in a completely natural situation, where everything is left completely as it would be normally.

What are two VERY IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT OBSERVATION IF YOU FORGET THESE YOU ARE A NUMPTY KATE LEONARD

You CAN know you are being studied in the real world so this does NOT make naturalistic observations UNETHICAL

An observation does NOT ALWAYS HAVE AN IV

Overt observation

Ppts are aware they are being observed

Covert observation

ppts are unaware they are being observed

What is participant observation

Researcher is involved with the people being studied

What is non participant observation

Researcher observes the participants from a distance.