Flashcards
Research Methods (Sources of Bias)
Cards in this deck (7)
- 1ProblemSolution
- 2Design Faults E.g. errors in stimulus material, questions that participants do not understand etc.Pilot Study
Small scale, ‘dry-run’ studies that make it possible to check your standardised procedures and general design. Problems can then be corrected in advance of the main study. - 3Confounding Variables Variable which can bias the research findings because they have not (or in some cases cannot) be controlled by the research. Participant variables (e.g. IQ) Situation variables (e.g. noise, light, weather)Randomisation:
Random allocation of Pp to different conditions to spread Pp variables.
Standardising Procedures:
Ensure that testing conditions are exactly the same for all Pp, this includes both standardised instructions and debrief. - 4Demand Characteristics The Pp attempts (not necessarily conscious) to guess what the experiment is about, or do what is expected of them. E.g. Orne (1962) sensory deprivation.Single Blind Procedure
Pp are not informed of the research aim or hypothesis. This helps to ensure that demand characteristics are minimised. - 5Participant Bias Pp aware of being ‘tested’ and wants to create good impression. Changes behaviour to appear socially desirable. Hawthorne Effect - Performance improves, not because of the IV, but because they are receiving unaccustomed attention. ‘Screw you’ effect – Pp change behaviour to oppose of expectationsSingle Blind Procedure
Pp are not informed of the research aim or hypothesis. This helps to ensure that demand characteristics are minimised. - 6Investigator Bias Expectation of the investigator in interpreting Pp behaviour/results - e.g. Rosenthal and Jacobsen(1968) self-fulfilling prophecy Greenspoon effect - Pp behaviours are subtly reinforced by the experimenter’s comments.Double Blind Procedure
The researcher instructs someone else to collect the data but does not let that person or the Pp know the hypothesis. This helps to minimise both demand characteristics and investigator/experimenter effect. - 7Order Effects When using a repeated measures design where results may be due to practice or fatigue effectCounter-balancing
The order of conditions
E.g. Give half Pp Condition A first and the other half condition B first.
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- A level Psychology (Paper 2 Research Methods) Flashcards on Research Methods (Sources of Bias), created by Tyler Erasmus on 04/05/2017.
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- Tyler Erasmus
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