Psychology Half Term 12 Quiz

Psychology - Half Term 12

• Hypotheses and Variables:

  • Aim: A statement of the research purpose.
  • Hypothesis: A testable statement about the relationship between variables (independent variable [IV] and dependent variable [DV]).
  • Null Hypothesis: Predicts no relationship between variables.
  • Directional Hypothesis: Predicts the direction of the results.
  • Non-directional Hypothesis: Predicts a difference but not the direction.
  • Independent Variable (IV): The variable the researcher manipulates.
  • Dependent Variable (DV): The variable the researcher measures.

• Experimental Methods:

  • Laboratory Experiments: High control, establishing cause and effect; low generalizability.
  • Field Experiments: Natural setting, higher generalizability, lower control; ethical considerations.
  • Natural Experiments: IV not manipulated by the researcher; high ecological validity, low control over extraneous variables.

• Independent Measures Design: Different groups for each condition; individual differences might affect results (lower validity).

• Repeated Measures Design: Each participant takes part in all conditions; order effects and participant variables.

• Matched Pairs Design: Participants matched on relevant variables, reducing participant variables issues.

Ethical Issues

• BPS Guidelines: Code of conduct for psychologists.
• Informed Consent: Participants must be informed about the study and can withdraw at any time.
• Deception: Participants should not be intentionally misled.
• Privacy and Confidentiality: Personal data must be protected and anonymized.
• Protection from Harm: Participants should not experience emotional or physical harm.

Dealing with Issues

• Participant Variables: Random or systematic allocation to conditions.
• Order Effects: Counterbalancing to even out order in task completion.
• Informed Consent: Participants sign a form, explaining expectations.
• Deception: Debriefing, explaining the true study's aims.
• Protection from Harm: Debriefing, follow-up counselling to deal with any potential concerns, or protection through careful study design.
• Privacy and Confidentiality: Maintaining anonymity by replacing names with numbers.

Sampling and Sampling Techniques

• Target Population: The total group the researcher wants to study.
• Sample: A smaller group representing the target population.
• Representative Sample: A sample with the same characteristics as the target population for generalization regarding conclusions.
• Random Sample: Each member has an equal chance of selection, reducing bias.
• Stratified Sample: Subgroups of target population proportionally represented in the sample.
• Opportunity Sampling: Selecting readily available participants.
• Systematic Sampling: Selecting every Nth member from a list.

Observational Techniques

• Participant Observation: Researchers actively involved in the observation setting.
• Non-participant Observation: Researchers detached observers.
• Overt Observation: Participants are aware of being observed.
• Covert Observation: Participants are unaware of being observed.
• Behavioural Categories: Systematically classifying target behaviour.
• Event Sampling: Counting behaviour occurrence.
• Time Sampling: Counting behaviour occurrences over a period.

Self Report Techniques

• Questionnaires: Pre-set questions for participants to answer.
• Closed Questions: Yes/No, multiple-choice.
• Open Questions: Free-response answers.
• Interviews: Face-to-face question and answer sessions.
• Structured Interviews: Pre-determined questions.
• Unstructured Interviews: Informal discussions.

Correlational Studies

• Relationship between variables: Exploring correlations between two or more variables.
• Predictions and Relationships: Establishing the relationship to enable predictions.

Data Handling

• Quantitative Data: Numerical information.
• Qualitative Data: Non-numerical information (feelings, words, etc.)
• Primary Data: Collected specifically for the current research.
• Secondary Data: Previously collected data, relevant to the current research.
• Meta-analysis: Review and synthesis of multiple studies with similar research purposes.

Graphs and Distributions

• Bar Charts: Categorical data representation.
• Histograms: Continuous data representation.
• Normal Distribution: Symmetrical data distribution.
• Skewed Distribution: Asymmetrical data distribution.
• Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, median, mode.

Sign Test

• Non-parametric test: Suitable for nominal data on repeated measures designs.

Test your understanding of hypotheses and variables in psychology with this quiz based on the concepts from Half Term 12. Explore different types of hypotheses, experimental methods, and their implications on research. Challenge yourself to grasp essential psychological principles.