designing research

aim and hypothesis

• Aim: A general statement of what the study intends to investigate.

• Hypothesis: A precise, testable statement.

• directional (one-tailed): Predicts the direction of the effect.

• non-directional (two-tailed): Predicts a difference but not the direction.

• Null hypothesis: Predicts no effect or difference.

variables

• Independent Variable: What the researcher manipulates.

• Dependent Variable: What the researcher measures.

• Extraneous Variables: Other variables that could affect the DV (should be controlled).

• Extraneous Variables: Other variables that could affect the DV (should be controlled).

sampling

• Target population: The group the researcher wants to study.

• Sample: The group actually studied.

• sampling methods:

• Random sampling: Everyone in the population has an equal chance.

• Opportunity sampling: People who are available.

• Volunteer sampling: Participants self-select.

• Stratified sampling: Subgroups (strata) are represented proportionally.

experimental design

• Independent groups: Different participants in each condition.

• repeated measures: Same participants in all conditions.

• Matched pairs: Participants matched on characteristics, each in different conditions.

types of research

• Lab experiment: Controlled environment, high internal validity.

• Field experiment: Real-world setting, more ecological validity.

• Natural experiment: IV changes naturally

• Quasi experiment: IV is not manipulated

ethical consideration

• Informed consent

• Right to withdraw

• protection from harm

• Confidentiality

• deception

data collection

• Quantitative data: Numbers

• Qualitative data: Descriptive

• Primary data: Collected by the researcher.

• Secondary data: Previously collected data.

Validity & Reliability

• Internal validity: Are you measuring what you intended to?

• External validity: Can the results be generalised?

• Reliability: Are results consistent over time or across researchers?