Psychology and Sociology
20 flashcards
~10 min
Research Methods in Psychology
Twenty flashcards covering how psychologists design and evaluate studies. Includes experimental methods and design types, correlational research, case studies and observations, sampling techniques, validity and reliability, and core ethical guidelines. Essenti...
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Twenty flashcards covering how psychologists design and evaluate studies. Includes experimental methods and design types, correlational research, case studies and observations, sampling techniques, validity and reliability, and core ethical guidelines. Essential revision for A-Level and AP Psychology research methods units.
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The IV is the factor manipulated by the researcher. The DV is the factor measured to see if it changes as a result of the IV.
Any variable other than the IV that could influence the DV if not controlled, potentially confounding the results.
A lab experiment occurs in a controlled environment allowing high control over variables. A field experiment occurs in a natural setting, increasing ecological validity but reducing control.
A study where the IV occurs naturally without researcher manipulation (e.g. comparing outcomes before and after a real policy change), useful when manipulation would be unethical or impossible.
Independent groups: different participants per condition. Repeated measures: same participants in all conditions. Matched pairs: different but similar participants paired across conditions.
An uncontrolled variable that varies systematically with the IV, making it impossible to determine whether the IV or the confound caused any change in the DV.
A study measuring the relationship between two co-occurring variables. It can identify association but cannot establish causation.
An in-depth investigation of a single individual, group or event, providing rich qualitative detail but with limited generalisability to the wider population.
Naturalistic: behaviour observed in its normal real-world setting, unmanipulated. Controlled: observed in a structured environment set up by the researcher.
A sample where every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected, minimising researcher bias in selection.
A sample drawn from individuals who are conveniently and readily available to the researcher at the time — quick but prone to bias.
A sample formed from people who choose to participate in response to a request, which may attract a particular type of person, introducing volunteer bias.
The extent to which a study's results are due to the manipulation of the IV, rather than confounding or extraneous variables.
The extent to which findings can be generalised to real-world, everyday settings beyond the specific research context.
Test-retest: consistency of results when the same test is given to the same people at two different times. Inter-rater: consistency between different observers/researchers scoring the same behaviour.
A cue in a study that reveals its purpose to participants, causing them to alter their natural behaviour, either to help or to sabotage the research aim.
Single-blind: participants don't know their condition (control vs. treatment). Double-blind: neither participants nor researchers interacting with them know, reducing bias from both sides.
Participants must be given enough information about the study to decide voluntarily whether to take part, without coercion, before it begins.
Participants can leave the study at any time, and can request their data be removed, without penalty or pressure to continue.
Informing participants of the true nature and purpose of the study after it concludes, especially essential when deception was used, to address any distress and restore full understanding.