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Research methods summary notes (some topics covered)
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Topics covered are: Experimental methods Types of experiments Dealing with ethical issues Sampling Correlations
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Psychology revision – RESEARCH METHODSEXPERIMETAL METHODS
AIMS = the general thing that the researcher wants to investigate
DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS = a hypothesis that states whether changes are greater or lesser, +
or –
NON-DIRECTIONAL HYPOTHESIS = hypothesis that doesn’t state any changes or any direction,
no correlation or association
STANDARDISATION = formalised procedures for all PPTs in study, all of it should be the same
PILOT STUDY = small-scale test run of an investigation so the design can be modified
EXTRANEOUS VARIABLES = nuisance variable that makes it harder to see what is affecting the
DV
CONFOUNDING VARIABLES = changes systematically with the IV, cannot observe if the
change is due to IV or CV
Type of research design Strength Limitations
Independent groups (ppts No order effects – ppts are More expensive = need
are either in condition A or tested once = can’t x2 no. of ppts, time
B, then compared) practice or become bored, consuming recruiting
controls CV the ppts
No demand characteristics Ppt variables =
= can’t guess the aims of comparing ppts of diff.
the study if tested once, groups so there’s more
behaviour is more natural EV and/or CV, reduces
validity of study
Repeated measures (same Ppts variables = same Order effects = same
ppt take part in both or all person for both ppts doing both
conditions) conditions, controls conditions so
important CV performance may be
Less expensive = half the worse, and they can
no. of ppts needed practice, reduces
compared to independent validity
groups, less time spent on Has demand
recruiting characteristics =
behaviours aren’t
natural, reduces validity
of results
Matched pairs (two grps of No order effects = ppt More ppts = need twice
ppt, individually matched tested once no practice, as many ppts, more
together by how alike they enhances validity time spent recruiting
are in something specific, Ppts variables = ppts the ppts
matched on the relevant Matching isn’t perfect =
the take part in different
variable, enhances the matching is time-
conditions, compared)
validity because it controls consuming and cannot
ppt variables control all variables CVs
or EVs, cannot address
all ppt variables
, Psychology revision – RESEARCH METHODS
TYPES OF EXPERIMENTS
Strength Limitation
Laboratory EV and CV are controlled lack generalisability =
Controlled environment where = effect on DV is environment is artificial
EV and CV are regulated. IV is minimised, cause and so more demand
manipulated effect between IV & DV characteristics, low
can be establish, high external validity,
internal validity behaviour isn’t natural
can be replicated easily = Demand characteristics =
more control and high cues may cause an
standardisation or unnatural response from
operationalisation ppts, findings are from
reduces EV, findings can cues not effect of IV on
be confirmed = higher DV – low internal validity
validity
Field Natural environment = Hard to control EVs/CVs =
Natural setting, go to the ppts, ppts are more cannot 100% say IV
IV is manipulated comfortable & behaviour impacted the DV because
is authentic, results are there are EVs and CVs
more applicable to (uncontrolled), hard to
everyday life say the cause and effect
Low demand like in lab
characteristics = Ethical issues = informed
behaviours aren’t consent, invasion of ppts
influenced by study, it is privacy raising ethical
natural, higher external implications
validity
Natural Practical and ethical May occur rarely =
IV not manipulated, DV may option = may be unethical natural events may be a
already exist, naturally to manipulate the IV e.g., one-off thing so there’s
occurring study on brain damage, less opportunity, limit
can use this to do casual generalisability of
research on such topics findings
high external validity = ppts aren’t randomly
involves real world issues, allocated = no control
findings are more over ppts and which
relevant to real conditions they’re in, IV is
experiences pre-existing, may result in
CVs that cannot be
controlled
Quasi high levels of control = Ppts aren’t randomly
Pre-existing difference controlled conditions, allocated = no control
between people same as a lab, high over ppts chosen as V is
replicability pre-existing, ppt variables
Comparisons can be cause change in DV
made = IV is diff. between acting as a CV
ppl, comparisons Casual relationships
between diff. types of ppl aren’t shown = no
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