PSYB4 Research Methods Terms

?
  • Created by: Leah Case
  • Created on: 29-04-14 10:35
Theory
Set of assumptions used to explain phenomena & offered for scientific study
1 of 56
Hypothesis
testable prediction, often implied by a theory
2 of 56
Operational Definition
statement of procedures used to define research variables which helps to enable replication
3 of 56
Replication
repeating of research study to determine if its finding extends to other participants and circumstances
4 of 56
Case Study
descriptive research technique in which one person or a small group is studied in depth in hope of revealing universal principles
5 of 56
Survey/Questionnaire
research method in which info is obtained by asking many individuals a fixed set of questions
6 of 56
Population
all cases in a group, from which samples may be drawn for a study
7 of 56
Random Sample
sample that fairly represents a population because each member has an equal chance of inclusion.
8 of 56
Naturalistic Observation
descriptive research that involves observing and recording behavior without trying to manipulate and control the situation.
9 of 56
Correlation
The relationship between two sets of variables which is shown on a graph to demonstrate a positive, negative or zero correlation.
10 of 56
Scattergraph
Graphed cluster of dots, each of which represents the values of two variables.
11 of 56
Experiment
research method in which investigator manipulates one or more factors (IV) to observe effect on some behavior or mental process (DV)
12 of 56
Double-blind experiment
Where both the participants and the researcher don't know the aim of the experiment or what happens.
13 of 56
Control condition
condition of experiment that contrasts with experimental condition and serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment.
14 of 56
Independant Variable
Experimental factor that is being manipulated, variable whose effect is being studied.
15 of 56
Dependant Variable
What is measured (variable that may change in response to manipulations of the IV).
16 of 56
Mean
The average from a set of scores.
17 of 56
Median
Middle score in distribution.
18 of 56
Mode
Most frequently occuring score.
19 of 56
Range
The lowest score minus the highest score (the difference between).
20 of 56
Standard Deviation
The spread of scores across a data set.
21 of 56
Signifigance level
A score that shows the likeliness that a score has occured down to chance.
22 of 56
Null Hypothesis
Predicts there will be an effect but doesn't specify which way the scores will go.
23 of 56
Experimental/Alternative Hypothesis
Predicts the effect and the specific way the scores will go.
24 of 56
Extraneous variables
Any variables other than the IV that could affect the DV.
25 of 56
Confounding of variables
When two variables are linked together in a way that makes it difficult to sort out their specific effects.
26 of 56
Quasi Experiment
Researchers takes subjects & conditions as they naturally occur, with little if any control over what happens.
27 of 56
Reliability
Extent to which a test yields consistent results - if it can be replicated.
28 of 56
Validity
Extent to how accurate the results collected are, and if it tests what its supposed to.
29 of 56
Test-Retest Reliability
Where you test the same thing twice and results should be the same or very similar to what they were previously.
30 of 56
Split Half Reliability
A test is divided into 2 halves and scores on the halves are compared to see if test is consistent within itself. Ex. compare odds & evens
31 of 56
Content Validity
degree to which test is representative of total domain its supposed to cover.
32 of 56
Face Validity
Measures whether a test looks like it tests what it is supposed to
33 of 56
Nominal level data
The collection of frequencies.
34 of 56
Ordinal level data
Data collected on a scale.
35 of 56
Interval level data
Fixed level data with specific measurements.
36 of 56
Hawthorne Effect
Behaviour of participants change because they are aware they are being observed.
37 of 56
Stratified sample
Sample drawn in such a way that known subgroups within a population are represented in proportion to their numbers in general population
38 of 56
Experimenter Bias
Expectations of the experiment from the researcher which affects the experiment.
39 of 56
Correlation co-efficient
Statistical measure of strength of association between two variables ranging from -1.0 to 1.0.
40 of 56
Type one error
Rejecting null hypothesis when infact it is true.
41 of 56
Type two error
Failing to reject the null hypothesis even though it is false.
42 of 56
Deception
Method by which participants are mislead about the studys method or purposes.
43 of 56
0.05
Results are signifigant, we can be 95% sure that results aren't due to chance.
44 of 56
Normal Distribution curve
Bell shaped curve showing the distribution of the standard deviation.
45 of 56
Case study
In-depth study of one person.
46 of 56
Observation
Where an observer observes a persons behaviour in a familar enviroment.
47 of 56
External Reliability
the extent that a measuring instrument is consistent across different times and situations.
48 of 56
Internal Reliablilty
Refers to the extent to which all the instrument's items are measuring the same attribute.
49 of 56
Systematic Sampling
Every nth person in the population is selected.
50 of 56
Opportunity Sampling
Collecting participants who are available to take part in the study.
51 of 56
Quantiative data
Numerical data
52 of 56
Qualitative data
Written data
53 of 56
Inferential Statistics
Numerical methods used to determine whether research data support a hypothesis or whether results were due to chance.
54 of 56
Related Design
Participants in one condition are related to participants in the other condition. ie matched pairs and repeated measures.
55 of 56
Unrelated Design
Participants in one condition are not related to participants in the other condition. ie independant groups
56 of 56

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Back

Hypothesis

Card 3

Front

statement of procedures used to define research variables which helps to enable replication

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

repeating of research study to determine if its finding extends to other participants and circumstances

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

descriptive research technique in which one person or a small group is studied in depth in hope of revealing universal principles

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Psychology resources:

See all Psychology resources »See all Research methods and techniques resources »