Research Methods Psychology

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Hypothesis

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A testable statement about the relationship between two variables. In an experiment these variables are called the IV and the DV

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Variable

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A factor or thing that can change - it varies

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Independent Variable

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The variable that the researcher alters or manipulates to look for an effect on another variable. This variable produces the two conditions of the study

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Dependent Variable

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The variable that the researcher measures to see if the IV has affected it

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Experiment

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The method of research in which all the variables other than the IV and the DV are controlled. This allows the researcher to identify a cause-and-effect relationship between the IV and DV

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Condition

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An experiment is usually organised so that there are 2 trials, after which performances of the participants are compared. These are the conditions of the experiment

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Participant

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A person who is selected to take part in a study

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Order effect

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This occurs when a participant's performance in the second condition of an experiment is affected because they have already done the first condition. They may do better or worse because of tiredness. This may happen in a repeated measures design

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Participant variables

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The difference between the people who take part in the study. These may affect the results of an experiment that uses an independent groups design

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Standarised procedures

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A set order of carrying out a study that is applied to all participants when necessary

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Random allocation

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A procedure for putting participants in to conditions by chance

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Counterbalancing

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A procedure for evening out the order in which participants complete both conditions of an experiment

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Extraneous variable

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A variable that is not the IV but might affect the DV if it's not controlled

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Control

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Making sure procedures are the same when necessary. Not controlling procedures leads to the possibility of extraneous variables occurring and confounding the results

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Instructions

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The written information given to the participants during the experiment

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Randomisation

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Using chance to produce an order for a procedure

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Ecological Validity

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The results of the investigation can be said to apply to real-life behaviour. They are an accurate account of behaviour in the real world

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Objectivity

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Not affected by personal biases

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Sample

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The small group of people who represent the target population and who are studied

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Target population

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The large group of people the researcher wishes to study

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Representative

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The sample of participants is made up of people who have the same characteristics and abilities as the target population

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Generalised (RM)

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The results from the sample can be said to apply the target population

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Random sample

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Every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample

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Opportunity sample

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People who are members of the target population and are available and willing to take part

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Systematic sample

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Every 'nth' member of the target population is selected for the sample

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Stratified sample

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To obtain this type of sample, the different subgroups in the target population is selected for the population are identified; then people are randomly selected from these subgroups in proportion to their numbers in the target population

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Raw data

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The scores collected in a study that have not been analysed or summarised

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Anomalous result

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An extremely high or low result that does not match the other result in a set of scores

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Ethical issues

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Point of concern about what is morally right