Research methods definitions

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Aim
A statement outlining the reason for the study
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Hypothesis
A statement predicting the outcome of research
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Experiment/alternative hypothesis
A statement that predicts a difference in results.
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1 tailed (directional)
States the direction you feel the research will go
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2 tailed hypothesis (non-directional)
States there will be NO difference
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Null hypothesis
A statement that predicts NO difference or correlation in results
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Variable
A variable is anything open to change
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Independent variable
The variable the researcher manipulates/changes
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Dependent variable
The variable that is measured
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Extraneous variables
A variable that could affect the outcome of the study
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Confounding variable
A variable that is not the IV but varies with the IV (e.g alertness makes an effect on results, when noise is what is actually being manipulated
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Operationalising variables
The process of devising a way to measure/test the variables accurately
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Standardised instruction/procedures
A method of controlling extraneous variables. All instructions/procedures are the same for all participants
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Mundane realism
The extent to which the study mirrors the real world
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Experimental design: Repeated measures
Participants take part in both conditions.
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Experimental design: Independent measures
Different participants take part in each condition.
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Experimental design: Matched pairs
Participants take part in one condition but are matched on education, age, socio-economic background etc.
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Confederate
A person/researcher who has been instructed how to behave in the research
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Counterbalancing
A technique used to overcome tiredness/boredom/learning test material when taking part in a repeated measures design
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Sample
A smaller group selected from a larger population
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Target sampling (population)
The entire set of people researchers want to generalise their results to
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Representative sample
An accurate reflection of the target population
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Representative sample
An accurate reflection of the target population
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Random sampling
A sample for which everyone in the target population has an equal chance of being chose.
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Opportunity sampling
A sample drawn from the target population because they are available and convenient
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Volunteer sampling
Participants self-select to take part in the study
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Stratified sampling
Subgroups are identified and a percentage are tested from each subgroup
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Systematic sampling
Every nth person is identified from the target e.g every 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th etc.
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Ethical considerations
Issues that take into account the welfare of the participants
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Deception
Participants should never be deceived
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Right to withdraw
When participants are allowed to stop participating in a study or can stop the study altogether
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Informed consent
When participants agree to take part in a study and know the full aim of the research
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Partial consent
When participants agree to take part in a study but do not know the full aim of the study.
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Protection of participants
Psychologists must prevent the study from having any personal impact on the participant
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Confidentiality
Names/address/age etc. must remain confidential at all times
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Socially sensitive research
Research topics that are being researched but are very sensitive due to their nature (e.g homosexual relationships/animal testing)
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Debriefing
Post-research interview that informs the participants of the true nature of the study, ask if they have questions, if they are happy for the results to be used and ensure they leave in the same mind set as they arrived
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Laboratory experiment
An experiment carried out in a controlled environment
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Field experiment
An experiment carried out in a natural environment
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Natural experiment
An experiment carried out in the participants own environment
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Quasi-experiment
The IV does not change at all, the situation/condition exists, for example gender
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Self-report method
When participants record their own experiences
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Questionnaire
A set of pre-determined questions which are the same for all respondents
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Closed questions
Questions for which there are set responses to choose from
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Open questions
Questions that require participants to answer as they please
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Filler questions
Irrelevant questions that distract the respondent from the main purpose of the study
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Interviews
Face-to-face questioning
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Structured interview
An interview with pre-set questions
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Unstructured interview
An interview where questions vary depending on the interviewees responses
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Overt observation
When we observe people with their knowledge
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Covert observation
When we observe people without them knowing
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Participant observation
Observing others while taking part in their activities
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Non-participant observation
Observe people from a distance
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Structured observation
The researcher determines precisely what behaviours are to be observed
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Unstructured observation
The research has no plan about what will be observed
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Behavioural categories
Identifying target behaviours that will be monitored and recorded
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Observation schedule
The 'Tally chart' that records the behaviours identified
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Event sampling
Counting the number of times certain behaviours occur in the target individual(s)
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Time sampling
Recording behaviours within a given time frame
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Case studies (non experimental)
An in-depth analysis of one person or small group of people
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Correlation studies (non experimental)
A study that analyses two sets of data for a relationship
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Co-variable
The two measured variables in a correlation
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Correlation co-efficient
A numerical representation of a correlational relationship between two variables
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Longitudinal studies
A study carried out over a long period of time (years)
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Cross sectional studies
A study where two or more groups are compared to investigate changes or differences quickly and efficiently
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Quantitative data
Numerical data, results will be in number form, you will add up a series of answers e.g 7/10 said... e.g closed question on questionnaire
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Qualitative data
Descriptive data, result will be in the form of words, images, diagrams e.g open question on a questionnaire
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Primary data
Collected first hand by the researcher
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Secondary data
Data collected by someone else then uses in a separate study
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Mean
The average; the total of a data set is divided by the number of scores in it
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Median
The middle score when a data set is in numerical order
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Mode
The most popular score in a data set
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Range
The difference between the smallest and largest value, plus 1
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Validity
How far the results reflect the truth
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Face validity
'The eyeball test' Does the test look as if it is measuring what it is supposed to?
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Predictive validity
The ability of the test to predict performance on future tests
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Concurrent validity
Comparing the results of a new test with an old test
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Temporal validity
Extent to which findings from a research study can be generalised to other historical times and eras
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Ecological validity
How far the study and the results reflect real life
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Reliability
How consistent the results are, how many studies have found similar or the same results
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Test-retest
A measure of external reliability when you complete a test and then re-test at a later date and compare results
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Split half
A measure of internal reliability whereby you 'split' a test in half (odd V even) and compare the results
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Meta-analysis
Findings gathered together from several researchers to provide a statistic to represent the overall effect
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Demand characteristics
cues/signals/signs in an experiment which give away the aim of the results and therefore the results will be affected
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Investigator effect
Any behaviour of the researcher that has an impact on the participant and the way they behave/perform in a study
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Observer effect
When the participants behave differently from normal because they know they are being observed
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Order effects
Occurs in a repeated measures design study e.g tiredness, boredom, learning of material
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Pilot study
A small scale study that is used to identify any issues that could have an impact on the results and ironed out prior to the main study
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Social desirability
This describes the responses that participant give when they say what they believe the researcher wants to hear, results will be ultimately affected
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Peer review
Using independent experts to assess the quality and validity of scientific research/academic reports
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Inter-rater reliability
When you observe the same thing over and over and get the same results as another observer
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Gender bias
Viewing things from the perspective of one gender. Only using one gender in a study and then generalising the results.
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Cultural bias
Viewing things from the perspective of one culture. Only using one culture in a study and then generalising the results
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Experimenter bias
Setting up an experiment and/or interpreting the results to fit a certain idea or theory
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Content analysis/thematic analyis
An analytical approach based on coding and quantification of various elements of text. Involves establishing categories, counting the number of instances, locate patterns from a written interview/case study/open ended question
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

A statement predicting the outcome of research

Back

Hypothesis

Card 3

Front

A statement that predicts a difference in results.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

States the direction you feel the research will go

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

States there will be NO difference

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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