Research Methods

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Research Methods
The means by which explanations are tested.
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Experimental Method
A research using random allocation of participants and the manipulation of variables to determine cause and effect.
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Independent Variable (IV)
The factor manipulated by researchers in an investigation.
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Dependent Variable (DV)
The factor measured by researchers in an investigation.
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Operationalisation of Variables
The process of defining variables into measurable factors.
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Extraneous Variables
Variables other than the IV that might affect the DV.
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Confounding Variables
Uncontrolled extraneous variables that negatively affect results.
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Demand Characteristics
Features of a piece of research which allow the partipants to work out it's aim and/or hypotheses. Participants may then change their behaviour and so frustrate the aim of the research.
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Investigator Effects
A research effect where researcher features influence participants' responses.
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Laboratory Experiment
Experiment conducted in a controlled environment allowing the establishment of casuality.
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Field Experiment
Experiment conducted in a naturalistic environment where the researchers manipulate the IV.
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Natural Experiment
Experiment where the IV varies naturally.
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Quasi Experiment
Where the researcher is unable to freely manipulate the IV or randomly allocate the participants to the different conditions.
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Naturalistic Observations
Surveillance and recording of naturally occurring events.
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Behavioural Categories
Dividing target behaviours into subsets of behaviours through use of coding systems.
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Inter-Observer Reliabilty
Where observers consistently code behaviour in the same way.
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Self-Report Techniques
Participants giving information about themselves without researcher interference.
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Questionnaires
Self-report method where participants record their own answers to a pre-set list of questions.
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Interviews
Self-report method where participants answer questions in face-to-face situations.
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Correlation Studies
The factors measured in a correlational study to assess their direction and strength of relationship.
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Co-Variables
The variables investigated in a correlation. They are not referred to as the IVs and DVs because the study is investigating the relationship between them, not trying to show a cause and effect relationship.
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Aim
A precise statement of why a study is taking place.
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Hypotheses
Precise testable research predictions.
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Sampling
The selection of participants to represent a wider population.
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Pilot Studies
Small scale practice investigations.
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Independent Groups Design (IGD)
Experimental design in which each particiant performs one condition of an experiment.
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Repeated Measures Design (RMD)
Experimental design where each participant performs all conditions of an experiment.
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Matched Pairs Design (MPD)
Experimental design where participants are in similar pairs, with one of each pair performing each condition.
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Ethical Issues
The rules governing the conduct of researchers in investigations.
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Reliability
The extent to which a test or measurement produces consistent results.
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Validity
The extent to which results accurately measure what they are supposed to measure.
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The Scientific Process
A means of acquiring knowledge based on observable, measurable evidence.
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Replicability
Being able to repeat a study to check the validity of the results.
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Objectivity
Observations made without bias.
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Falsification
That scientific statement are capable of being proven wrong.
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Peer Review
Scrutiny by experts of research papers to determine scientific validity.
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Quantitative Data
Data occurring in numerical form.
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Qualitative Data
Non-numerical data expressing meanings, feelings and descriptions.
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Primary Data
Collected by yourself.
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Secondary Data
Data collected by someone else that you use.
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Meta-Analysis
A process in which a large number of studies, which have involved the same research question and methods of research, are reviewed together and the combined data is tested by statistical techniques to assess the effect size.
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Measures of Central Tendency
Methods of estimating mid-point scores in sets of data.
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Measures of Dispersion
Measurements of the spread of scores within a set of data.
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Graphs
Easily understandable, pictorial representations of data.
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Normal Distribution
Data with an even distribution of scores either side of the mean.
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Skewed Distribution
Data that does not have an even distribution of scores either side of the mean.
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Sign Test
A non-participant statisitcal test used for experiments where data is at least nominal and a RMD has been used.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

A research using random allocation of participants and the manipulation of variables to determine cause and effect.

Back

Experimental Method

Card 3

Front

The factor manipulated by researchers in an investigation.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

The factor measured by researchers in an investigation.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

The process of defining variables into measurable factors.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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