Research Methods Key Terms

Experiment/ Research carried out in controlled environment

Experiment carried out in a natural occuring environment - environment not manipulated

Experiment not controlled by researchers - occuring naturally, not manipulated

For a study to have high ecological validity (eco val) the setting of the study must approximate real life

The degree to which a study supports the intended conclusion drawn from results

A test is considered reliable if we get the same results repeatedly

A legal statement which involves making sure that the participants know the research that they will go through

Morality

Gathering of participants

A statement made of what researchers predict will be the outcome of the study

The hypothesis which states that there will be no relationship between the two variables being studied

As one variable increases so does the other

As one variable increases the other decreases

No relationship between variables

Method of study/ experiment

Research method which involves the observation of a certain behaviour or situation

When the researcher is involved in the situation being observed

When the researcher in the participant observation is likely to inform the members being studied about the purpose of the study, etc

Participant observation without the awareness or agreement of the social unit being studied

Different participants used for each condition

The same group of participants used for both conditions of the experiment

2 separate groups of participants, matched up so that in each group there is someone with exactly the same characteristics as someone else on the other group

Questions that give you options to pick for an answer

Questions which leave a space to write a response for an answer

'picking names out of the hat'

taking opportunity of an event to select participants

When people volunteer to be a participant and take part in the study

Observation - writing down each time a studied event happens

Observation - writing down how many times an event happens in a period of time (every 2 minutes for example)