Research Methods

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Null hypotheses
A null hypothesis is a general statement that the observed variables will have no impact as there is no relationship between them.
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Alternative hypotheses
The alternative hypothesis would be a prediction that one variable will affect the other
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Independent Variable
The independent variable is what researchers manipulate in order to test its effect on the dependent variable (the outcome)
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Dependent Variable
The dependent variable (DV) is the outcome or effect we are measuring within the study
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Extraneous Variables
The extraneous variable is a third variable that may unknowingly be affecting the outcome of the study (the DV).
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Random Sampling
Random sampling involves the researcher identifying members of the target population, number them and then attempt to draw out the required number of people for their study.
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Opportunity Sampling
Opportunity sampling is a form of sampling method that means you ask those who are around you and most easily available, that represent the target population, to participate in the study.
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Systematic Sampling
Systematic sampling involves selecting every “nth” member of the target population. An example of this would be if the researcher decided that “n” will be “5”, every 5th person in the target population is selected as a participant.
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Stratified Sampling
Sub-groups within the population are identified and then partic
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Volunteer Sample
A volunteer sample consists of people that have volunteered to take part in the study.
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Independent group design
participants involved in the study usually divided into two subgroups. One group will take part with the experimental condition (with the independent variable introduced), while the other group would not be exposed to this and form the control group
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Repeated Measures Design
A repeated measures design sees all the gathered participants of the study being exposed to both conditions of the experiment.
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Matched Pairs Design
In conducting a matched pairs design research study, one pair will take part in one experimental condition while their matched partner/pair is exposed to another experimental condition. The results are then compared by the researcher between the cond
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Laboratory Experiments
Laboratory experiments are experiments that are conducted in a controlled setting, usually a research laboratory where participants are aware of being observed and part of a study.
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Field and Natural Experiments
conducted anywhere in real-world settings with researchers manipulating an independent variable to measure its impact on the dependent variable.
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Interviews
Interviews involve a researcher in direct contact with the participant and this could either be face to face or via phone/video call.
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Case Studies
A case study is a very detailed study into the life and background of either one person, a small group of people or institution or even
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Standardised procedures
Standardised procedures are a set of sequences which apply to all the participants when necessary to ensure the experiment is unbiased.
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Random allocation
When the design of the study uses an independent group design, the researcher can use random allocation to avoid any potential researcher bias. Participants can be randomly selected in turns for either condition A or condition B by pulling their name
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Counterbalancing
ABBA For experimental designs such as the repeated measures design, all the participants are required to take part in the experiment for both conditions. The problem with this is that order effects can occur whereby participants learn from experience
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Informed consent
Informed consent means revealing to the participant the real aims of the study or telling them what will happen within the study.
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Deception
Some experiments require deception about the true aims of research otherwise participants might alter their behaviour and the study’s findings become meaningless. A distinction could be made in some cases between withholding details about the study
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The right to withdraw
Participants would deem the right to withdraw from an experiment as important. If a participant begins to feel distressed or uncomfortable, they should have the right to withdraw from the study.
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Protection from physical and psychological harm
esearchers may believe that to benefit society ultimately, some experiments may require participants to experience some level of distress. Some experiments can also be difficult to fully assess in terms of what the outcome is likely to do
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Confidentiality
A researcher may find that maintaining confidentiality can be difficult as they wish to publish the findings. They may guarantee anonymity and withhold the participant’s names, but even then it may be evident for some who the participants are.
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Quantitative data
Numbers; Quantitive data is data that represents how much, how long, how many etc there are of something.
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Qualitative data
Quantity; Qualitative data is descriptive data that is non-numerical. This type of data provides detailed information which can provide insights into the thoughts and behaviours of individuals because the answers are not restricted to yes or no.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

The alternative hypothesis would be a prediction that one variable will affect the other

Back

Alternative hypotheses

Card 3

Front

The independent variable is what researchers manipulate in order to test its effect on the dependent variable (the outcome)

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

The dependent variable (DV) is the outcome or effect we are measuring within the study

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

The extraneous variable is a third variable that may unknowingly be affecting the outcome of the study (the DV).

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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