Research Questions:  An answerable question regarding an issue or a concern of some sort
Aim: An aim is a goal of an experiment usually to answer the research questionResearch Hypothesis: A research hypothesis is an educated guess or a prediction on what will be discovered or an answer to the research question
Independent Variable: The variable that can be controlled or manipulated which will influence the dependent variable.
Dependent Variable: The variable that can be measured but can not be directly controlled
Operationalise/Operational: To operationalise something would be to state the variable in how it is measured for example something vs something
Experiment: A scientific procedure to test a hypothesis or to make a discovery
Control Group: The control group is the group that doesn’t have their independent variable altered and does everything normally so as to be know whether or not the variable being tested is changing anythingCase Study: A case study is a study or investigation on a single person
Observational Study: A study where for logical reasons the independent variable cannot be controlled but can only be "observed"
Self Report: Having statements from the participants describing things such as how they felt or what changed during the experiment in order to gain their results
Questionnaires: Having participants answer a survey or set of multiple choice questions to gain results for the experiment
Interviews: The social interaction between the experimenter and the participant to gain results
Rating Scales/Psychological Tests: A test to determine how the participants individually feel on an extent
Secondary Data: Data from a different experiment or test that is used to evaluate conclusions or to compare data
Independent Group Design:  Involves randomly allocating different participants to each of the conditions of the experiment
Matched Participants Design: different but similar participants are matched and used in each condition of the experiment
Repeated Measures Design: the same subjects get put in both the control and the experimental group
Cross-Sectional Studies: when participants of different traits such as age and cohorts are studied at a particular point of time
Extraneous Variables: An unwanted variable that cant be controlled that could effect the DV
Confounding Variables: An unwanted variable that cant be controlled that will effect the DV
Counterbalancing: a repeated measures design in which half the participants go in the control group and the other half in the experimental then swap groups to eliminate order effect
Single blind procedure: In an attempt to eliminate placebo the participants don’t know which group they are in whether it is the control or experimental
Double blind procedure: In order to eliminate experimenter bias the experimenter wont know the groups either
Placebo: Placebo is a substance or belief that although does nothing, the belief can influence effects. For example a sugar bill being consumed in belief is a weight loss pill you could end up losing weight because you think you will lose weight
Standardised instructions and procedures: procedures that are used at the same time as the test is administered
Population: the group of people that the experimenter is interested in researching
Sample: The sub-population - the group within the population that will be researched upon Random Sampling: Every member of the population is randomly selected and they all have an equal chance of being selected
Stratified Sampling: Dividing sample space into appropriate categories existing in the population to better accurately reflect the whole population.
Convenience Sampling: Simply selecting people that are available for maximum convenience
Allocation: Dividing the sample into both the control group and into the experimental group
Random Allocation: All people in the sample have an equal chance of being in experimental and control group
Ethics Committee: Help to address moral and ethical conflictsJustice: everyone needs to have the opportunity to participate, cannot discriminate
Integrity: The ability to maintain credibility probably cant find definition
Respect: In context to respect for human beings Researchers must allow for voluntary participation and withdrawal rights, protect vulnerable participants and consider their welfare first and foremost. Must be aware of culture of participant as well as their confidentiality. Must respect the individual and their decisions.
Beneficence: The rule that ensures that said experiment must benefit society
Role of the Experimenter: Professional and ensure the safety and care of the participants
Confidentiality: Results are kept private and anonymous. No personal details are shared in the experiment
Voluntary Participation: Cannot be forced to participate in the experiment. Must freely agree to
Withdrawal Rights: Participants have the right to leave and take their results/personal info/data with them.
Informed Consent: Must inform them of the true nature and purpose of the experiment. Written consent- if over 18 from self, if under from guardian.
Deception: Withhold certain information about the nature or purpose to avoid the knowledge impacting the results.
Debriefing: Explain any elements of the experiment that were not clear due to deception. Also explain the results, offer counselling or support at the conclusion.
Animal ethics in Research: This legislation was introduced to protect the welfare of animals, by ensuring that their use in research and teaching is always humane, considerate, responsible and justified.
Qualitative Data: Descriptions of characteristics or feelings usually in response to an experiment recorded in things such as emotions (happy sad angry amazed etc)
Quantitative Data: Data that is measured numerically and exact rather than in catagories like qualitative data
Table: A table provides a simple visual representation of data
Bar Chart: a diagram in which the numerical values of variables are represented by the height or length of lines or rectangles of equal width.
Line Graph: a type of chart which displays information as a series of data points
Percentage: A number used to express a fraction of the total
Measure of central tendency: The mean, median mode etc
Mean: an average
Standard Deviation: how many units differ from the mean
Variance: a difference or inconsistency
Descriptive Statistics: A way to describe the results but not to draw conclusions. (mean median mode etc). Can be used to support or refute the hypothesis however cant be used to make generalisations or draw conclusions
Inferential Statistics: Statistics that can be used to prove or refute a hypothesis and allows room to make generations from the results and evaluate to which extent the IV affected the DV
Reliability: How consistent a measuring instrument is (internal reliability, inter-rater reliability, parallel form reliability, test-retest reliability)
Validity: The extent to which an instrument measures what it is supposed to measure (internal validity content/construct, external validity)
Replication: Redoing an experiment to ensure that the results weren't coincidental
Effect of Sample Size: The larger the sample size the less room for coincidence however because of constraints such as time and economical constraints, the group cant be too big.
Individual Participant Differences: participants characteristics that may vary from person to person. They may have an unintentional unwanted effect on the DV and need to be controlled as much as possible
Non-standardised instructions and procedures: when the experimenter delivers non-scripted instructions, leading to the potential for the control and experimental groups to get different information
Order Effects: occurs in a repeated measures design when the participant may perform better or worse on a task the second time they do it
Placebo Effects: the results of the experiment occurring due to the participants belief in a treatment/medication/IV, rather than the actual impact of the IV on the DV
Scientific Ideas: Ideas relating from evidence gathered using the scientific method
Non Scientific Ideas: knowledge and ideas that don’t use the scientific method
Conclusion: The final decision about what the results mean. Must be stated in terms of the original hypothesis (is it supported/rejected)
Limitations: influences that the researcher cannot control. They are the shortcomings, conditions or influences that cannot be controlled by the researcher that place restrictions on your methodology and conclusions. Any limitations that might influence the results should be mentioned.
Implication: a possible result, something that is suggested though not directly mentioned, something implied etc.
Abstract: A brief opening summary of your paper or report etc.
Introduction: Explanation or reason for undertaking the investigation, including a clear aim, hypothesis, and relevant background psychological concepts
Method: a particular procedure for accomplishing or approaching something, especially a systematic or established one.
Results: Presentation of collected data/evidence in appropriate format to illustrate trends, patterns and/or relationships
Discussion: Analysis and evaluation of primary data Identification of outliers and their subsequent treatment Identification of limitations in data and methods, and suggested improvements Linking of results to relevant psychological concepts