research method content

What is the difference between an aim and an hypothesis

An aim states what is being investigated and a hypothesis makes a specific, testable precision about the corrected outcome

Why must variables be operationalised

So they are precisely measurable/manipulable, reducing ambiguity and making the procedure easier for another researcher to replicate

Give an example for operationalising a DV

Not “memory ability” instead say “number of words correctly recalled from a list of 20 after 5 min”

Why should extraneous variables be controlled

If an EV affects the DV, it becomes harder to establish whether changes in the DV were actually caused by the IV

When should a directional hypothesis be used

When previous research/theory gives a clear reason to predict a particular direction

When should non-directional hypothesis be used

When there us no previous research, or previous findings are inconsistent , so a direction cannot be justified

What must you include when writing an experimental hypothesis

the conditions of the IV and an operationalised DV. If directional, clearly state the predicted direction

Why do correlations use co-variables rather than IV and DV

Because a correlation only measured whether variable are related, neither variable is manipulated by the researcher

How do directional, non-directional and null correlation hypothesis differ

Directional: predicts relationship + direction

Non-directional: predicts a relationship only

Null: precise no relationship

What is the main strength of an IGD

There are no order effects because each participant completed only 1 condition

What is the main limitation of an IGD

Participant variables may differ between groups, so differences in the DV may be die to participants rather than the IV

Why can independent groups require more participants

Each participant completed only 1 condition, so separate groups of participants are needed for each condition

How can participants variables be reduced in an independent group design

Use random allocation so the participants have an equal chance of entering each condition, reducing systematic group differences

What is the main strength of a repeated measured design

It control participant variables because the same participants compete every condition

What is the main limitation of a RMD

It is vulnerable to order effects, as after completing one condition may affect performance in later conditions

What does repeated measured require fewer participants

The same participants are rescued across all conditions, rather than recruiting a separate group for each condition

How can order effects in respected measured be reduced

Use counterbalancing: vary condition order

Why might repeated measured increase demand characteristics

Participants experience all conditions, making differences between them easier to notice and the study’s aim easier to guess

What is the main strength of a matched pairs design

Matching participants on relevant characteristics reduces participant variables, while using different people prevents order effects

What is the main limitation of a matched pairs design

Matching participants accurately is time-consuming, and pairs may still differ on characteristics

Random sampling vs random allocation — what is the difference

Random sampling decide who enters the sample, random allocation decides which condition a participant enters