Research methods

Provides a way of determining whether hypotheses should be accepted or rejected

In Psychology, they tell us whether differences or relationships between variables are statistically significant or whether they have occured by chance.

A statistical test used to analyse the difference in scores between related items
For example: the same participants tested twice.

Three conditions must be met:

• need to be looking for a difference
• need to have used repeated measures design
• need to have data organised into categories

Accepted level of probability is 0.05 (5%) which means that the researcher will accept the research hypothesis when there is a less than 5% probability that the results are due to chance.

Sometimes though in drug tests this value is set to 0.01 (1%)

The value the researcher gets after carrying out a statistical test such as the sign test

The value given in a critical table
For the sign test, the calculated value has to be equal to or lower than the critical value at the level of significance set for the results to be significant

The assessment of scientific work by others who are specialist in the same field to ensure that any research intended for publication is of a high quality.

Aims of peer review:

• To decide whether to allocate research funding for a project
• To validate the quality and relevance of the research, for example: is the hypothesis and methodology appropriate and are findings drawn accurately.
• To suggest amendments or improvements to the research

(-) peer may use their anonymity to criticise rival researchers- especially is there is competition for funding

(-) publication bias- there is a tendancy for journals to publish positive results- it is therefore too selective and may mean that important findings are being ignored

(-) peer may be critical of research which contradicts their own view- so the findings that are in line with current opinion are more likely to get published/passed than new research that challenges current opinions. Therefore it might slow down the rate of change.