2.1.1 Research terminology Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in 2.1.1 Research terminology Deck (36)
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1
Q

what is a hypothesis?

A

a testable theory

2
Q

what is an aim?

A

the general investigative purpose of a study

3
Q

what is a directional hypothesis?

A

tells us exactly what the researcher predicts will be found - tells us what the effect will be

4
Q

what is a non directional hypothesis?

A

predicts some effect or difference is expected but doesn’t specify what the effect will be

5
Q

what is a null hypothesis?

A

says there is no significant relationship between the variables being studied

6
Q

” there is no difference in friendliness between northerners and southerners” - directional, non-directional or null?

A

null

7
Q

“northerners are friendlier than southerners” directional, non-directional or null?

A

directional

8
Q

what does an experimental method involve?

A

the researcher manipulating variables

9
Q

what is a variable?

A

something that changes

10
Q

what is an independent variable?

A

the thing changed/manipulated e.g temperature

11
Q

what is a dependant variable?

A

the variable that you measure e.g reaction time

12
Q

what does operationalize mean?

A

to make abstract concepts easier to measure e.g. measuring aggression by the number of punches thrown

13
Q

what is a non experimental method?

A

researcher collects data needed without making changes or introducing variables (e.g. questionnaires)

14
Q

what are uncontrollable variables called?

A

extraneous and confounding variables

15
Q

what are the 3 types of extraneous variables?

A

subject
experimental
situational

16
Q

what is a subject variable?

A

characteristics of the participant which may affect the outcome such as age or sex e.g. research involving video games, young people may perform better

17
Q

what is an experimental variable?

A

characteristics of the experimenter(s) which might affect how the experiment is conducted or how the participant responds e.g. age, sex, qualifications

18
Q

what are situational variables?

A

characteristics of the environment in which research is being carried out which may impact results e.g. noise levels, temperature

19
Q

what is a confounding variable?

A

a hidden variable that caused two variables to falsely appear in a relationship

20
Q

“there is a positive correlation between the amount of people drowning and the amount of ice cream being eaten” - what is the confounding variable?

A

hot weather - more people go swimming and buy ice cream

21
Q

what is a methodology?

A

how psychologists investigate their hypothesis

22
Q

what is the location of research?

A

where research is carried out.

23
Q

what is a primary source of data?

A

data gathered from research you gave carried out yourself

24
Q

what is secondary data?

A

research other people have carried out

25
Q

what is qualitative data?

A

in depth written data

26
Q

what is quantitative data?

A

numerical data that is quick and easy to analyse

27
Q

what is a laboratory environment?

A

controlled environment which you have chosen and set up arranged for people to come to

28
Q

what is a field environment?

A

research carried the real world

29
Q

what is an online environment?

A

research carried out on the internet

30
Q

What is a quasi experiment?

A

The IV is naturally occurring

Researcher measures the effect of the IV on the DV

31
Q

What are some strengths of quasi experiments?

A

IV is naturally occurring so research is high in ecological validity
Can investigate things you couldn’t manipulate due to practical or ethical issues

32
Q

What are issues of quasi experiments?

A

Lack of control
Impossible to replicate
No cause and effect

33
Q

What are some strengths of lab experiments?

A

High levels of control over EVs and CVs
Can establish cause and effect
High replicability - reliable

34
Q

What are some issues of lab experiments?

A

Control may lead to demand characteristics e.g. Hawthorne or screw you
Lack of ecological validity - artificial environments

35
Q

What are some strengths of field experiments?

A

High in ecological validity

Less chance of demand characteristics if people are unaware they are being watched

36
Q

What are some weaknesses of field experiments?

A

Observing people without consent - no right to withdraw
Lack of control
Not replicable
No cause and effect

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