Summary
Summary Key terms
- Institution
- AQA
Key terms for the AQA A Level specification
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Research Methods:Aim
The researcher’s area of interest – what they are looking at (e.g. to
investigate helping behaviour).
Bar chart
A graph that shows the data in the form of categories (e.g. behaviours
observed) that the researcher wishes to compare.
Behavioural categories
Key behaviours or, collections of behaviour, that the researcher
conducting the observation will pay attention to and record
Case study
In-depth investigation of a single person, group or event, where data are
gathered from a variety of sources and by using several different methods
(e.g. observations & interviews).
Closed questions
Questions where there are fixed choices of responses e.g. yes/no. They
generate quantitative data
Co-variables
The variables investigated in a correlation
Concurrent validity
Comparing a new test with another test of the same thing to see if they
produce similar results. If they do then the new test has concurrent
validity
Confidentiality
Unless agreed beforehand, participants have the right to expect that all
data collected during a research study will remain confidential and
anonymous.
Confounding variable
An extraneous variable that varies systematically with the IV so we
cannot be sure of the true source of the change to the DV
Content analysis
Technique used to analyse qualitative data which involves coding the
written data into categories – converting qualitative data into quantitative
data.
Control group
A group that is treated normally and gives us a measure of how people
behave when they are not exposed to the experimental treatment (e.g.
allowed to sleep normally).
Controlled observation
An observation study where the researchers control some variables -
often takes place in laboratory setting
Correlational analysis
A mathematical technique where the researcher looks to see whether
scores for two covariables are related
Counterbalancing
A way of trying to control for order effects in a repeated measures design,
, e.g. half the participants do condition A followed by B and the other half
do B followed by A
Covert observation
Also known as an undisclosed observation as the participants do not know
their behaviour is being observed
Critical value
The value that a test statistic must reach in order for the hypothesis to be
accepted.
Debriefing
After completing the research, the true aim is revealed to the participant.
Aim of debriefing = to return the person to the state s/he was in before
they took part.
Deception
Involves misleading participants about the purpose of s study.
Demand characteristics
Occur when participants try to make sense of the research situation they
are in and try to guess the purpose of the research or try to present
themselves in a good way.
Dependent variable
The variable that is measured to tell you the outcome.
Descriptive statistics
Analysis of data that helps describe, show or summarize data in a
meaningful way
Directional hypothesis
A one-tailed hypothesis that states the direction of the difference or
relationship (e.g. boys are more helpful than girls).
Dispersion measure
A dispersion measure shows how a set of data is spread out, examples
are the range and the standard deviation
Double blind control
Participants are not told the true purpose of the research and the
experimenter is also blind to at least some aspects of the research design.
Ecological validity
The extent to which the findings of a research study are able to be
generalized to real-life settings
Ethical guidelines
These are provided by the BPS - they are the ‘rules’ by which all
psychologists should operate, including those carrying out research.
Ethical issues
There are 3 main ethical issues that occur in psychological research –
deception, lack of informed consent and lack of protection of participants.
Evaluation apprehension
Participants’ behaviour is distorted as they fear being judged by observers
Event sampling
A target behaviour is identified and the observer records it every time it
occurs
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