(BRB) hypothesis, variables and sampling (pp1))

Question 1

describe the order of the scientific method

Answer 1

• a phenomenon or behaviour is noticed
• theories are developed to explain or describe this
• hypothesis (testable predictions) or research questions are written
• studies and procedures are designed to test these predictions and/or answer these questions
• systematic and controlled data collection takes place
• analysis and interpretation of the data collected reaching conclusions

Question 2

what is one of the main goals of psychological research

Answer 2

to describe and explain human behaviour

Question 3

what are the 5 techniques for collecting/ analysing data

Answer 3

• experiments
• self-report methods
• observations
• correlations
• case studies

Question 4

define a variable

Answer 4

• aspects of the world that are observable and measurable

Question 5

define an experiment

Answer 5

• measure the effect of one variable on another, looking for a difference between two conditions

Question 6

define a correlation

Answer 6

• describe a relationship between two variables

Question 7

define an independent variable

Answer 7

• the variable which is manipulated by the experimenter

Question 8

define a dependant variable

Answer 8

the outcome which is measured by an experimenter

Question 9

what does the use of experiments in psychology allow researchers to establish

Answer 9

• cause and effect links between two variables

Question 10

what do the IV and DV do in an experiment

Answer 10

• they are used to write an alternate hypothesis, the IV is predicted to have a measurable effect on the DV

Question 11

what is an alternate hypothesis

Answer 11

• a prediction in the form of a testable statement

Question 12

describe the nature of variables in correlations (co-variables)

Answer 12

• the researcher is attempting to measure the nature and association between 2 variables which are known as co-variables

Question 13

what does a correlational study allow us to establish

Answer 13

they allow us to establish the strength (strong or weak) and direction (positive or negative) of the association between these two variables

Question 14

what is the definition of operationalising variables

Answer 14

• if we operationalise a variable, we say in precise terms how we will measure or manipulate it

Question 15

give the definition for validity

Answer 15

• refers to the extent to which a study has measured what it claims to measure
• it is therefore very important that variables are operationalised in an appropriate manner

Question 16

how do you operationalise variables without being bias

Answer 16

• operationalise in an objective manner, meaning collecting data without allowing personal interpretation

Question 17

what do you do when operationalising variables in a correlation

Answer 17

• operationalise the variables carefully as correlations require qualitative data
• not an experiment so you must say how you would operationalise variable one and two

Question 18

what are the ways of collecting data for the 2 variables in a correlational study

Answer 18

• give participants a test under controlled conditions
• ask participants to self rate themselves
• gather data on participants from data bases
• observe participants behaviour in a structured quantitative manner
• give participants a questionnaire that results in quantitative data

Question 19

what is an extraneous variable in an experiment

Answer 19

• any variables that might have an effect on the DV apart from the IV

Question 20

what is a confounding variable in an experiment

Answer 20

• uncontrolled extraneous variables that have had an effect on results

Question 21

how can confounding variables affect the reliability of an experiment

Answer 21

• when confounding variables interfere with the variables that we are studying they can reduce the reliability

Question 22

how can uncontrolled extraneous variables affect the validity of an experiment

Answer 22

• uncontrolled extraneous variables (confounding variables) are also a threat to the validity of the research as they influence how accurately we can measure the DV

Question 23

what is a situational variable

Answer 23

• variables in the research situation itself can have an effect on the dependant variable

Question 24

how can you prevent the difference in the room conditions where the participants are tested affect the outcome

Answer 24

• standardise the procedure
• standardise instructions

Question 25

what is standardisation

Answer 25

- the materials used usually have to be the exactly the same for all participants so they experience the same conditions - this controls a possible source for confounding variables

Question 26

what are pilot studies

Answer 26

- a way to test materials - a smaller version of the actual study and allows identification of problems and modification of materials - e.g wording of questions in a questionnaire

Question 27

what are participant variables

Answer 27

variables that come from the individual other than the IV that have an effect on there personal performance

Question 28

what are order effects

Answer 28

- the order in which participants carry out tasks that has an effect on there performance - e.g AB,BA

Question 29

what is counterbalancing

Answer 29

- often used to control order effects - half the participants complete the task on one order then the other half complete it in the reverse order

Question 30

what are demand characteristics

Answer 30

- all of the cues that a participant might receive that indicate the purpose of the research

Question 31

what are researcher effects ?

Answer 31

-if a researcher knows the aim of the study and an expected outcome, they may struggle to maintain objective and influence the results whether they mean it or not to reflect there expectations

Question 32

what is an alternate hypothesis

Answer 32

a prediction in the form of a testable statement

Question 33

when is alternate hypothesis used ?

Answer 33

in either an experiment or a correlational study

Question 34

what is an experimental hypothesis

Answer 34

predicts a cause and effect relationship between the IV and the DV

Question 35

what is the definition of significance

Answer 35

- the results are statistically meaningful - the results could NOT have been due to chance

Question 36

what is a correlational hypothesis

Answer 36

- predicts a consistent association between 2 co-variables

Question 37

what can you noy talk about when a hypothesis predicts a correlation between 2 variables

Answer 37

- a cause and effect relationship

Question 38

what is a one tailed hyposthesis

Answer 38

- predicts the direction the difference or correlation will be

Question 39

what is a two tailed hyposthesis

Answer 39

- predicts only that there will be a difference or correlation thus allowing for an outcome in either direction

Question 40

what is null hypothesis

Answer 40

- predicts that any difference between the two groups researched will be due to chance

Question 41

what does the null hypothesis predict in a correlational study

Answer 41

- that any correlation found is not significant (due to chance)