aice psych

naturalistic

conducted in the pts. normal enviroment, not manipulated

controlled

conducted in a field or lab manipulated by researcher

unstructured

records the whole range behaviors displayed

structured

records only a limited range of behaviors

inter observer reliability

the consistency between two researchers watching the same event

operationalization

define exactly how a behavior will be measured

standardize

ensure every observer follows same procedure for every pt.

participant

a researcher who watches from the perspective of being

part of the social setting.

non participant

A researcher who does not become involved in the situation being studied

covert

an observer who is HIDDEN or DISGUISED

so participants are unaware they are being studied.

overt

An observer whose role is obvious to

participants

independent variable

Manipulated by researcher

The thing we are

experimenting with

dependent variable

May be affected by the

IV, whats measured

iv conditions

experimental, control

experimental condition

group of pts do the iv or special treatment the researcher wants to test

control condition

the group of pts. that dont do the iv or special treatment

null hypothesis

any difference between iv and dv is due to chance

directional hypothesis (one tailed)

there will be a positive correlation between iv and dv

nondirectional hypothesis (two tailed)

there will be a difference between iv and dv

lab experiment

Experiment done in an artificial environment that is manipulated by the researcher

field experiment

Study done in the participants natural environment and the researcher manipulates something

quasi/natural experiment

An experiment where IV’s are NOT manipulated but are naturally occurring ( ex. gender/ time of day)

opportunity sampling

Pts. Are chosen cause they are available. Already in the area where experiment is being conducted

self selected sampling

Pts are invited to participate and volunteer themselves.

random sampling

You randomly pick your sample from a population.

participant variable

individual differences between participants (such as age, personality, intelligence)

fatigue effect

Performance declines because they're bored or

tired in repeated measures design

order effect

In a repeated measures design, participants'

performance may change

practice effect

an order effect where performance improves due to familiarity with or learning the task

demand characteristics

Features of the experimental situation which give away the aims - can affect the validity of the study.

situational variables

Things in the environment that influence the behavior of

the participants ( sound, weather, distractions)

experiment design

how the pts. are divided

experimental design: independent measures

Different pts. are used in each condition of the experiment

experimental design: repeated measures

The same pts take part in every condition of the experiment

experimental design: matched pairs

Different pts are used in each condition, but they are matched in pairs based on key characteristics

interview: structured

Follow questions in order (no follow up questions) Stick to the script. Highly standardized (mostly close ended)

interview: semi-structured

fixed list of open and closed ended questions. Can add follow up questions if you want

interview: unstructured

Free flow conversational interview. Most questions are follow up based on pts responses. Very open ended

inter rater reliability

two researchers compare their findings and get the same findings