Research methods

Research methods

1. Hypothesis

   • alternative hypothesis - predicts a difference between the groups in your experiment
     • directional hypothesis - guess at which condition will score HIGHER than the other
     • non-directional hypothesis - when you think there will be a difference between the two conditions, but you are not sure which group will score higher
   • null hypothesis - predicts there will be no difference between the groups
   • correlation hypothesis - a prediction showing the relationship between the two variables

2. variables

   • independent variable = the variable that the experimenter MANIPULATES to see if it changes participants behaviour
   • dependent variable = the participants responses that you measure

3. experimental research methods

   • lab experiment - carried out in a controlled setting, carefully manipulated and controlled
     • good control over extraneous variables. demand characteristics may be shown
   • filed experiment -lab experiment but carried out in the real world. manipulates behaviour in their natural environment
     • participants are less likely to show demand characteristics. can be hard to replicate with exactly the same settings again.
   • natural experiment - carried out in real world. Experimenter does not manipulate anything
     • not artificial, likely to reflect the real world. less control over extraneous variables

4. Distribution of participants

   • repeated measures design - all participants take part in all conditions
     • not many participants needed. order effects, e.g. could be tired the second time
   • Independent groups design - each participant partakes in one condition only
     • no order effects. individual differences, one could be naturally better than the other.
   • matched pairs design - participants are matched on important criteria
     • smaller individual differences. can be hard and time consuming to set up

5. Sampling techniques

   • random sampling - having the names of a target population and giving each one an equal chance of being selected
   • opportunity sampling - involves using whoever is available and willing

6. non experimental research methods

   • observations - observing and controlling behaviour
     • no demand characteristics, low observer reliablilty
   • interviews - questions can be structured, semi structured or unstructured
     • participants can freely express themselves, but can be time consuming
   • questionnaire
     • can be cheap to do but the participants may not take it very seriously
   • correlations - measures the statistical strength of a relationship between two variables.
     • data is easy to analyse, does not mean that one causes the other
   • case studies - gathering information about an individual or one group of people
     • can generate lots of data but cannot be replicated

7. correlations

   • positive correlation - indicate that as one variable increases the other increase as well
   • negative correlations - indicate that as one variable increases the other decreases