Psychology > Research Methods Key Words > Flashcards

Research Methods Key Words Flashcards

(90 cards)

Study These Flashcards
1
Q

Experimental Method

A

A research method where the researcher manipulates the independent variable (IV) to observe its effect on the dependent variable (DV), typically in a controlled environment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Aim

A

The researcher’s area of interest – what they are looking at (e.g. to investigate helping behaviour).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Hypothesis

A

A testable prediction about the relationship between two variables. It is usually stated before the research is conducted.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Alternative Hypothesis

A

The hypothesis that predicts a significant difference or relationship between the variables being studied. It is the opposite of the null hypothesis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Null Hypothesis

A

The hypothesis that predicts no significant difference or relationship between the variables being studied. It serves as the default position.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Directional Hypothesis

A

A hypothesis that predicts the direction of the effect or relationship between the variables (e.g., ‘There will be a positive correlation…’).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Non-Directional Hypothesis

A

A hypothesis that predicts a relationship between the variables but does not specify the direction (e.g., ‘There will be a relationship between X and Y’).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Independent Variable (IV)

A

The variable that the researcher manipulates in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable (DV).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Dependent Variable (DV)

A

The variable that is measured in an experiment to assess the effect of the independent variable (IV).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Confederate

A

A person who is aware of the true purpose of the study and works to manipulate the participant to behave in a certain way.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Confounding variable

A

An extraneous variable that varies systematically with the IV so we cannot be sure of the true source of the change to the DV.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Experimental group

A

The group that received the experimental treatment (e.g. sleep deprivation).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Extraneous variable

A

Variables that if not controlled may affect the DV and provide a false impression than an IV has produced changes when it hasn’t.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Operationalisation

A

The process of clearly defining variables in terms of how they will be measured or manipulated in the study, to ensure they can be tested objectively.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Experiment Design

A

The overall strategy used to organize and structure the experiment, ensuring that it tests the hypothesis while minimizing biases and confounding variables.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Independent Groups Design

A

An experimental design where different participants are used in each condition of the experiment, meaning each participant is exposed to only one level of the IV.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Repeated Measures Design

A

An experimental design where the same participants are used in all conditions of the experiment, meaning each participant is exposed to all levels of the IV.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Matched Pairs Design

A

An experimental design where participants are paired based on similarities (e.g., age, ability) and each member of the pair is assigned to different conditions of the experiment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Random Allocation

A

A method used in Independent Measures Design to reduce the impact of participant variables.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Counterbalancing

A

The ABBA method used in Repeated Measures Design to reduce the impact of order effects.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Laboratory Experiment

A

A highly controlled experiment that takes place in a lab, where the researcher manipulates the IV and controls extraneous variables to observe their effect on the DV.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Field Experiment

A

An experiment conducted in a natural setting, where the researcher manipulates the IV and observes the effect on the DV, but the environment is less controlled than in a laboratory experiment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Natural Experiment

A

A type of experiment where the IV is not manipulated by the researcher but instead occurs naturally. The researcher observes the effect of the naturally occurring IV on the DV.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Quasi-Experiment

A

A type of experiment where the researcher cannot randomly assign participants to conditions because the IV is not manipulated (e.g., studying the effect of gender or age).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Ethical Issues
Concerns about the moral and psychological impact of research on participants. Ethical issues must be considered to protect participants' rights and well-being.
26
Informed Consent
The process of providing participants with sufficient information about the study, including its purpose, risks, and procedures, so that they can make an informed decision about whether to participate.
27
Deception
The practice of withholding or misleading participants about certain aspects of the study, typically used when revealing the true purpose of the study may affect behaviour.
28
Right to Withdraw
The ethical principle that participants can leave a study at any time without penalty and can withdraw their data if they choose to do so.
29
Confidentiality
Ensuring that participants' personal data and responses are kept private and that they are not identified in any published findings.
30
Debriefing
The process of informing participants about the true nature of the study after it has been completed, especially if deception was used, and ensuring they leave the study without harm.
31
Protection from Harm
An ethical principle ensuring that participants are not exposed to any physical or psychological harm beyond what is necessary in the study.
32
Ethical Guidelines
A set of rules or principles that researchers must follow to ensure their research is ethical. In the UK, these are provided by organizations like the British Psychological Society (BPS).
33
Independent Ethics Committee
A group of professionals who review research proposals to ensure they meet ethical standards and that participants' rights are protected.
34
Valid Consent
When participants are given enough information to make an informed decision about participating, and their consent is given voluntarily and freely.
35
Volunteer Bias
A potential issue in research where the participants who volunteer for a study may differ in some way from the general population, which can affect the generalizability of the findings.
36
Prior general consent
Before participants are recruited, they are asked whether they are prepared to take part in research where they might be deceived about the true purpose.
37
Presumptive consent
Asking a group of people from the same target population as the sample whether they would agree to take part in such a study, if yes then presume the sample would.
38
Retrospective consent
Once the true nature of the research has been revealed, participants should be given the right to withdraw their data if they are not happy.
39
BPS code of ethics
A set of guidelines which have been outlined by the British Psychological Society for anyone carrying out psychological research in the UK. Many countries have similar guidelines.
40
Quantitative data
Information that can be measured and written down with numbers.
41
Qualitative data
Descriptive information that is expressed in words.
42
Self-report
A method in psychology where participants directly communicate their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, typically in response to questions posed by researchers.
43
Questionnaire
A set of written questions that participants fill in themselves.
44
Close questions
Questions where there are fixed choices of responses e.g. yes/no. They generate quantitative data.
45
Rating scale
A type of question used to assess and measure attitudes, behaviours, opinions, or characteristics.
46
Fixed choice option
A type of question designed to limit respondents’ answers to a set of predefined options.
47
Likert scale
A psychometric response scale used in questionnaires to obtain participant’s preferences or degree of agreement with a statement.
48
Open questions
Questions where there are no fixed responses and participants can give any answer they like. They generate qualitative data.
49
Semi-structured interview
A type of interview that has some pre-determined questions, but the interviewer can develop others in response to answers given by the participant.
50
Structured interview
A type of interview where the questions are fixed and the interviewer reads them out and records the responses.
51
Unstructured interview
Also known as a clinical interview, there are no fixed questions just general aims and it is more like a conversation.
52
Demand characteristics
Occur when participants try to make sense of the research situation they are in and try to guess the purpose of the research or present themselves in a good way.
53
Interview schedule
Where an interviewer asks questions from a script; used in structured interviews.
54
Standardised procedures
In every step of the research all the participants are treated in exactly the same way and so all have the same experience.
55
Transcript
A written document that captures the entire conversation that took place during an interview.
56
Social desirability bias
Where a participant’s behaviour is distorted as they modify their responses in order to be seen in a positive light.
57
Leading questions
A type of question that subtly prompts or suggests a desired answer.
58
Acquiescence bias
A cognitive bias where individuals have a tendency to agree to statements or questions regardless of their true beliefs.
59
Interviewer (investigator) bias
An interviewer’s expectations, beliefs, and prejudices as they influence the interview process and the interpretation of the data.
60
Investigator effects
When a researcher unintentionally influences the outcome of research, such as through non-verbal cues or biased interpretation.
61
Test-retest reliability
Involves presenting the same participants with the same test or questionnaire on two occasions to see if results are consistent.
62
Inter-rater reliability
The extent to which results from interviews or observations are recorded the same by different researchers.
63
Structured observation
An observation study using a predetermined coding scheme to record participants' behaviour.
64
Unstructured observation
Observation with no checklist, where every behaviour seen is written down in as much detail as possible.
65
Behavioural categories
Key behaviours that the researcher will pay attention to and record during an observation.
66
Operationalising
Clearly describing the variables (IV and DV) or behavioural categories in terms of how they are manipulated or measured.
67
Dustbin category
In a fixed-choice questionnaire, a category that combines several hard-to-define qualities not fitting into other categories.
68
Time sampling
A method of observing behaviour by recording what happens in fixed time intervals.
69
Event sampling
A method where a target behaviour is identified and recorded every time it occurs.
70
Naturalistic observation
Observation conducted in the environment where the behaviour would normally occur.
71
Controlled observation
Observation where some variables are controlled, often in a laboratory setting.
72
Overt observation
A disclosed observation where participants know their behaviour is being observed.
73
Covert observation
An undisclosed observation where participants do not know they are being observed.
74
Participant observation
An observation where the researcher joins the group or situation being observed.
75
Non-participant observation
An observation where the researcher does not take part in the group or situation being observed.
76
Inter-rater (observer) reliability
The extent to which multiple observers are consistent in their observations.
77
Control group
A group that is not exposed to the experimental treatment, providing a baseline for comparison.
78
Pilot study
A small-scale study conducted to test and refine the method before the main study.
79
Observer bias
Occurs when observers’ knowledge of the study affects their observations.
80
Placebo
A fake treatment given to participants to control for the effects of expecting a treatment.
81
Single blind
Participants do not know the true purpose of the research.
82
Double blind
Neither participants nor experimenters know key aspects of the research design.
83
Content analysis
A method for analysing qualitative data and transforming it into quantitative data.
84
Coding
The process of categorizing qualitative data for analysis.
85
Thematic analysis
Identifies patterns or themes within qualitative data.
86
Case study
An in-depth investigation of an individual or small group.
87
Longitudinal research
Research conducted over a long period with the same participants.
88
Cross-sectional study
A study comparing different groups at one point in time.
89
Attrition
Loss of participants over time in a longitudinal study.
90
Meta-analysis
Combining results from multiple studies to draw a general conclusion.
Psychology
flashcards
Decks in class (17)
# Cards
Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2026 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions