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Research Methods

The document discusses key concepts in research methods including: - The difference between an aim, which describes the purpose of research, and a hypothesis, which predicts the findings. - Types of hypotheses such as alternative and null hypotheses. - Variables like the independent variable manipulated by researchers and the dependent variable measured. - How standardization controls extraneous variables to keep the experiment consistent. - Different types of experiments including laboratory, field, and natural experiments.

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Mohamed Eldessouki
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14 views

Research Methods

The document discusses key concepts in research methods including: - The difference between an aim, which describes the purpose of research, and a hypothesis, which predicts the findings. - Types of hypotheses such as alternative and null hypotheses. - Variables like the independent variable manipulated by researchers and the dependent variable measured. - How standardization controls extraneous variables to keep the experiment consistent. - Different types of experiments including laboratory, field, and natural experiments.

Uploaded by

Mohamed Eldessouki
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Research Methods:

Difference between an aim and a hypothesis:


Aim: Psychologists create an aim to describe the purpose of
the research is exactly what they intend to research. ex. to
investigate whether males or females watch more tv
Hypothesis: Psychologists make a prediction of what they
think their research will show/find out. ex. males will watch
more tv than females
Types of hypotheses:
Alternative: A statement which predicts a difference or
correlation, ex. Girls will do better than boys in the
Psychology GCSE.
Null: A statement which predicts no difference or correlation.
ex. There will be no difference between girls and boys results
in the Psychology GCSE.
Variables:
Independent: Something the researcher changes. ex.
whether participants do a test in noisy or quiet conditions.
Dependent: Something the researcher measures, ex.
participants’ scores on test.
Standardisation: A way of controlling extraneous variables;
to keep variables constant. ex. in Bickman’s study, each
experimenter dressed up as each character (policeman,
milkman, civilian).
Extraneous Variable: Something which happens that we
cannot control and ends up stopping/starting an experiment
ex. If somebody got an injury the experiment could be
stopped.
Types of extraneous variables:
Situational Variables: Aspect of the environment that may
affect the performance of the participants
Participant variables: Things about the participants
themselves that influence their performance.
Experimenter or investigator effects: Things the participant
does that affect the IV.
Types of Data:
Qualitative:
 deals with descriptions
 can be observed not measured
 Colours, textures, smells, tastes, appearances, and
beauty, etc.
 Qualitative – Quality
Quantitative:
 Deals with numbers
 Data can be measured
 Length, height, area, width, speed, volume, time,
temperature, humidity, sound levels, cost, members,
ages, etc.
 Quantitative – Quantity

Experiments:
Definition: A method by which the researcher controls
variables and measures their effect.
Features of an experiment:
 The researcher controls an IV.
 The researcher measures a DV.
 The researcher attempts to control EVs.
- Experiments help researchers infer cause and effect.
Types of experiments:
Laboratory: A controlled environment, in which the
experimenter has a high degree of control over everything
that happens in that space
Field: Field experiments are those in which the independent
variables are manipulated and the measurements of the
dependent variable are made on test units in their natural
setting.
Natural: Natural experiment is when the change in the IV is
not related to the experiment. The change in the iv is
happening anyway. ex. the effect of a hurricane on stress
levels
Way of allocating participants
Repeated measures: The same participants are included in all
conditions of the experiment
Matched pairs: Pairs of participants are matched in terms of
key variables, such as age and IQ. Then one member is then
placed in each group.
Independent measures: Different participants are randomly
allocated in each condition of the experiment, this involves
using 2 separate groups of participants; one in each
condition.
Sampling

Types of sampling:

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