Research Methods

Question 1

Independent variable

Answer 1

The experimental factor that is manipulate, the variable whose effect is being studied.

Question 2

Dependent variable

Answer 2

The measurable effect, outcome, or response in which the research is interested. Something which can be measured.

Question 3

Extraneous variable

Answer 3

Anything else which isn’t IV which affects DV.

Question 4

Operationalisation

Answer 4

Putting a measurement on something in an experiment

Question 5

Aim

Question 6

Aim

Answer 6

What I want to conduct/carry out

Question 7

Aim

Answer 7

What I want to conduct/carry out

Question 8

Hypothesis

Answer 8

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Question 9

Directional hypothesis

Answer 9

When you state the exact direction of the outcome

Question 10

Non-directional hypothesis

Answer 10

When you do not state the exact direction of the outcome

Question 11

Correlation

Answer 11

A measure of the relationship between two variable

Question 12

Experiment

Answer 12

A set of controlled observations

Question 13

Validity

Answer 13

Am I measuring what I intend to measure.

Question 14

Internal validity

Answer 14

Are we measuring what we intend to measure?

Question 15

External validity

Answer 15

Can we generalise the results elsewhere?

Question 16

Reliability

Answer 16

Can we repeat it and get the same results.

Question 17

Inter-rater reliability

Answer 17

Get someone else to conduct it, do they get the same results?

Question 18

Test-retest reliability

Answer 18

Conduct it again yourself, to see if you get the same result

Question 19

Demand characteristics

Answer 19

People acting in a non natural way means I may not get valid results

Question 20

Researcher bias

Answer 20

I could make up results to fit my hypothesis, again I am not getting a true valid measure

Question 21

Ecological validity

Answer 21

Can I apply my results to an entire diverse population?

Question 22

Temporal validity

Answer 22

Can I apply my results to today’s society?

Question 23

Lab experiment

Answer 23

Defined by the high level of control the researcher has over all the variables in the study

Question 24

Field experiment

Answer 24

Defined by conducting the experiment in naturalistic settings. This change in location is an attempt to avoid artificial nature of lab studies

Question 25

Natural experiment

Answer 25

The two levels of independent variables have occurred naturally without the influence of the researcher. The researcher simply records the change in the dependent variable between the two levels of IV

Question 26

Independent measures design

Answer 26

Using different participants in each condition of the experiment

Question 27

Quasi experiment

Answer 27

Participants cannot be randomly assigned between levels of IV. Often Bea the level on IV is an innate characteristic of the participants.

Question 28

Independent measures design

Answer 28

Using different participants in each condition of the experiment

Question 29

Matched pairs design

Answer 29

Participants are matched on key characteristics. One participant does control condition and the other does the experimental condition.

Question 30

Counterbalancing

Answer 30

An attempt to control order effects in a repeated measures design.

Question 31

Repeated measures design

Answer 31

The same participants are used in all the conditions in an experiment.

Question 32

Matched pairs design

Answer 32

Participants are matched on key characteristics. One participant does control condition and the other does the experimental condition

Question 33

Counterbalancing

Answer 33

An attempt to control order effects in a repeated measures design

Question 34

Randomisation/random allocation

Answer 34

This is where we randomly assign participants to either groups

Question 35

Standardisation

Answer 35

Using exactly the same formalised procedures and instructions for all participants in a research study

Question 36

Mundane realism

Answer 36

The extent to which an experiment is similar to real-life situations