Research Methods- Psychology

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  • Created by: Logan.R
  • Created on: 22-04-17 14:28
Internal Validity
refers to whether the effects observed in a study are due to the manipulation of the independent variable and not some other factor. - Can be improved by controlling extraneous variables, using standardized instructions, counter balancing.
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External Validity
refers to the extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to other settings. - Can be improved by setting experiments in a more natural setting and using random sampling to select participants.
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Confabulation
When memory fails, you manufacture something appropriate to fill in that gap in knowledge. This has led to psychologists claiming memory is largely reconstructive as you add or change elements of a memory in order for it to make more sense.
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Rationalisation
Distortion of facts in order to make an event seem less threatening- conscious ability to provide ourselves with excuses as many people are willing to accept their own version of events
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Demand Characteristics
When a participant can guess the aims of a study and therefore aids the researcher in discovering attributes about the individual.
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Laboratory Experiment
Carried out in an artificially controlled setting, where the IV is changed, whilst the DV is measured. Advantages- Element of control over variables, highly reliable & replicable. Disadvantages- Low External validity, impact of participant variables
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Field Experiment
Carried out in a field, school, hospital where the setting is more natural, whilst maintaining control over variables. Advantages- Ecological validity & fairly replicable. Disadvantages- Lowered external validity
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Questionnaire
Gathering personal data using open & closed style questions in order to amass quantitative & qualitative data. Adv- Reliable and avoids bias, can be repeated using larger samples, Cost-efficient method. Dis- Participants may give socially desirable a
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Case Studies
In depth analysis of an individual's experiences and behaviour. Adv- Rich depth of data, leading to high validity & useful for studying rare phenomena. Disadvantages- Not able to generalise results, Not highly reliable, cannot be repeated.
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Longitudinal Method
Study carried out with the same group, over a sustained period of time, no individual differences. However, participants may drop out (attribution), researcher may quit
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Cross-Sectional Method
Study carried out in a specific incident, using various groups. Adv- Researcher can gather all data quickly, no likelihood of drop outs. Disadv- An issue of individual differences.
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Cross- Cultural Design
Studies done across cultures. Adv- Research is useful for discovering innate elements. Disadv- Misinterpretation of cultural backgrounds from the researcher may impact results.
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Independent Variable
Characteristic of an experiment that is manipulated or changed
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Dependent Variable
Variable that is being measured & may be impacted by changes in the IV.
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Situational Variable
Variables related to temperature, sound, noise, time of the day
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Participant Variable
Differences between participants such as: hunger, emotion, intellect
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Extraneous variables
Variables that are not intentionally being researched in an experiment
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Confounding variables
Variables that the researcher failed to control or eliminate, therefore reducing the internal validity of the results.
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Experimental hypothesis
Prediction made by the researcher before conducting an experiment.
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Null hypothesis
States there is no statistical differences between the two variables - researcher is aiming to disprove this by identifying a relationship
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One-tailed test (Directional hypothesis)
Test to determine whether there's a relationship between the variables in one direction & it's useful if you have previous knowledge of the subject.
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Two-tailed test (Non-Directional hypothesis)
Standard to test to determine if there's a relationship in either direction.
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Repeated measures
One- identical group of people who perform all conditions of the experiment. Adv- participant variables are controlled when using the same people. Disadv- there will be order effects & demand characteristics are inevitable
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Independent measures
Different group of participants for varying conditions of the experiment. Adv- No order effects or demand characteristics. Disadv- participant variables aren't controlled and 2X as many participants are needed
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Matched Pair Design
Matching people on measurable traits- that may affect the dependent variable. Adv- no order effects & lower chances of demand characteristics. Disadv- certain participant variables
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Random sampling
a sample in which each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected to represent the whole.
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Systematic sampling
Chooses subjects in a systematic (i.e. orderly / logical) way from the target population, like every nth participant on a list of names. Adv- should provide a representative sample. Disadv- very difficult to achieve (i.e. time, effort and money).
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Stratified sampling
Researcher identifies the different types of people that make up the target population and works out the proportions needed for the sample to be representative.
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Opportunity sampling
It consists of taking the sample from people who are available at the time the study is carried out to fit certain criteria such as: IQ, gender
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Volunteer sampling
Gathering participants from adverts and social media platforms. Disadv- All participants may be too similar, leading to bias results
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Counterbalancing
A type of experimental design in which all possible orders of presenting the variables are included.
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Nominal
Counting data and arranging them into groups
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Ordinal
Measuring things and then ranking data
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Interval/Ratio
Using precise units such as: seconds,inches
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

refers to the extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to other settings. - Can be improved by setting experiments in a more natural setting and using random sampling to select participants.

Back

External Validity

Card 3

Front

When memory fails, you manufacture something appropriate to fill in that gap in knowledge. This has led to psychologists claiming memory is largely reconstructive as you add or change elements of a memory in order for it to make more sense.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Distortion of facts in order to make an event seem less threatening- conscious ability to provide ourselves with excuses as many people are willing to accept their own version of events

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

When a participant can guess the aims of a study and therefore aids the researcher in discovering attributes about the individual.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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