Research Methods Part 1
hypothesis, types of experiments, variables, validity
- Created by: Sumera
- Created on: 21-09-13 21:33
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- RESEARCH METHODS
- HYPOTHESIS- prediction of what the investigater thinks will happen
- NULL- predicts no difference or relationship
- ALTERNATE- predicts a difference or reltionship
- 1 TAILED- non directional, simply states there will be a difference and not whether it will increase/decrease etc
- 2 TAILED- directional, knows which direction the results will go in
- TYPES OF EXPERIMENT
- LAB-conducted in a lab, variables are highly controlled and participants are aware they're taking part
- STRE- more reliable, high tech equipment can be used, high control over variables, cause and effect can easily be determined
- WEAK- less mundane realism, less ecological validity, demand characteristics, deception
- FIELD- conducted in a natural environment (eg school). The IV is still changed but the participants may not be aware that they're taking part
- STRE- improved mundane realism, reduction of demand characteristics
- WEAK- hard to establish control, less ecological validity, more costly, takes longer, difficult to use equipment, bias (selective participants)
- QUASI- IV is not manipulated but occurs naturally. Researcher takes advantage of pre-existing conditions
- WEAK- loss of control, less likelihood of desired behaviour being displayed, less reliability
- STRE-less demand characteristics, lack of direct intervention, high ecological validity
- LAB-conducted in a lab, variables are highly controlled and participants are aware they're taking part
- VARIABLES- aspects of the experiment
- DV- something that is measured to see if it has changes
- IV- something the investigator changes or manipulates (two conditions)
- VALIDITY- the extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure
- EXPERIMENTAL- whether the experiment was highly controlled, and was realistic to be able to be generalised to other people and environments
- INTERNAL- whether we can be certain that it was the IV which caused the change in the DV
- MUNDANE REALISM- how well the experimental situation reflects real life, high mundane realism = high ecological validity
- EXTRANEOUS- something other than the IV which affects the DV
- VARIABLES- aspects of the experiment
- DV- something that is measured to see if it has changes
- IV- something the investigator changes or manipulates (two conditions)
- SITUATIONAL- something about the situation could effect the DV e.g. poor lighting. Can be over come through STANDARDISATION, ensuring all participants are tested under the same conditons
- PARTICIPANT- differences between the participants that cause the change. It can be overcome by repeated measures design or matched pairs
- DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS- strucutre could lead the participants to guess the aim which may cause change in behaviour. To avoid, create a design where they cannot guess the aim
- PARTICIPANT EFFECT- participants may become aware that they're in an experiment so either become overly helpful or spoil the experiment "screw you" effect. To avoid, create a design where they cannot guess the aim
- INVESTIGATOR EFFECT- the behaviour or the language of the investigator may act as a cue for the participants- EXPERIMENTER BIAS.It can be over come through double blind technique
- VARIABLES- aspects of the experiment
- EXTERNAL- how well the results can be generalised beyond the experimental setting
- ECOLOGICAL- how well the results can be generalised to other places and settings
- POPULATION- how well the participants used in the experiment represent the general population.
- INTERNAL- whether we can be certain that it was the IV which caused the change in the DV
- PSYCH MEASURES- concepts need to be turned into number to be measures and compared- OPERATIONALISED. but it loses validity
- CONTENT- if the method used actually seems to measure what you intend to. To ensure, a panel of experts assess the measure for validity
- CONCURRENT - how well the measures agree with existing measures. We can ensure concurrent validity by testing the participants with both new and established tests
- CONSTRUCT- if the method used is actually measuring ALL parts of what we are aiming to test. To maintain we need to define and ensure that all parts are being measured
- PILOT STUDIES- small scale study conducted on a small sample. A trial run to test out the planned procedures and reduce any erros
- EXPERIMENTAL- whether the experiment was highly controlled, and was realistic to be able to be generalised to other people and environments
- HYPOTHESIS- prediction of what the investigater thinks will happen
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