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research methods year 1 - Coggle Diagram
research methods year 1
Variables: independent, dependent and control
operationalisation: is the term used to describe how a variable is clearly defined by the researcher. (presented in a way that is measurable)
Hypothesis: a clear and precise prediction about the difference or relationship between the variables in the study.
Null: states there will be no significant difference between the 2 conditions in the experiment
Directional: one tailed - predicts the direction of the difference in the variables
Non-directional two tailed- predicts that there will be a difference but without direction
Extraneous variables:
- situational variables: features of an environment that affect the degree to which individuals yield to group pressures
- participant variables: are related to the individual characteristic of each study study participant that may impact how they respond
methods for controlling extraneous variables:
- Counter balancing- researchers can counter balance the order of conditions (two groups both don two conditions one group does it backwards)
- Randomisation- this is when trials are presented in a random order to avoid any bias that the order of the trails might present
- Random allocation- independent measures design - greatly decreases the possibility that participant variables in the form of individual differences will adversely affect the results
- Standardisation- all situational variables kept the same easier to detect change in performance
experiment type: Lab experiment: highly controlled environments, Quasi experiment: IV isn't determined by the researcher - simply exists in the natural world, Natural experiment: the change in DV isn't brought about by the researcher - naturally occurring, Field experiment: takes place in natural setting and researchers manipulate the IV.
Independent measures: where different participants take part in each experimental condition (randomly allocated).
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Matched pairs design: where participants take part in only one experimental condition but are recruited specifically to be similar in relevant characteristics
Repeated measures design: where all the participants are allocated to all groups (take part in all conditions)
sampling: random sampling: this method gives every member of the target group an equal chance of being selected for the sample e.g. number generator
stratified sampling: the sampler divides the target group into sections each showing a key characteristic which should be present in the final sample
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observational techniques:
- non-participant observation- the researcher remains separate from the participants
- participant observation- the researcher joins the group being observed and becomes involved with them
- overt observations- participants are aware they are being observed and recorded
- covert observations- participants are observed with ought their knowledge, observing natural un-manipulated behaviour
- natural observations- observing people in their natural environment
- controlled observations- observations take place in contained environment such as a lab
presentation of data: tables, scattergram, bar charts and historgrams
positive Skew: (distribution) occurs when most data is concentrated towards the left of the graph
Negative skew: (distribution) occurs when most of the data is concentrated away from the graph - to the right.
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Mean: add up all divide by how many numbers there are in total
Median: arranged from lowest to highest and then the middle value (two numbers ass them up and divide by 2)
Mode: most frequently in the set of data
validity:
Ecological: refers to the extent psychologists can apply there research and findings to other settings e.g. everyday life
External: a measure of whether data can be generalised to other situations outside of the research environment they were originally gathered
Temporal: the extent in which research findings can be applied across time
Internal: a measure of weather results obtained are solely affected by changes in the variable being manipulated
Ethical issues:
- deception - when information is deliberately withheld from participants or thy are knowingly misled
- right to withdraw- participants have the right to withdraw/ remove themselves and their data from the study at any point
- informed consent- when someone consents to participate they are fully informed which means the aim of the research should be made clear and how their data will be used
- protection from harm- protect their participants from any physical or emotional/psychological damage
- privacy and confidentiality- confidentiality is where a participants information is protected by law under the data protection act both during and after the study
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anonymity -stays anonymous, Publication bias, opposition to theories- might not get punished if it goes against main stream ideas, plagiarism and duplication
self report techniques: describes a method of gathering data where participants provide information about themselves without interference from the experimenter e.g. Questionnaires, interviews and even diaries