observations
a study in which the observer records only a limited range of behaviours
What is a Structured Observation
a testable statement based on the aims of an investigation
What is a Hypothesis?
a self-report research method that uses written questions through a 'paper and pencil' or online technique
What are Questionnaires?
the two measured variables in a correlation
What is a Co-Variable
a group of participants selected at the same age or stage
What is a Cohort
the role of the observer is not obvious, e.g. because they are hidden or disguised
What is a Covert Observer?
the factor in an experiment that is measured and is expected to change under the influence of the independent variable
What is a Dependent Variable?
how widely findings apply, e.g. to other settings and populations
What is Generalisability?
A change in one variable is related to a change in the other (although these changes cannot be assumed to be causal)
What is a Correlation
a measure of general reasoning and problem solving ability
What is Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
the consistency between two researchers watching the same event, i.e. whether they will produce the same records
What is an Inter-Observer Reliability?
the extent to which the researcher is testing what they claim to be testing
What is Validity?
a question format in questionnaires, interviews or test items that produces qualitative data. Participants give full and detailed answers in their own words, that is, no categories or choices are given
What are Open Questions?
a relationship between two variables in which an increase in one accompanies an increase in the other, i.e. the two variables increase together
What is a Positive Correlation
compares people at different ages or stages by comparing different groups of participants at one point in time
What is Cross-Sectional Study
a study conducted by watching the participants' behaviour in their normal environment without interference from the researchers in either the social or physical environment
What is a Naturalistic Observation?
a pill or procedure given to a patient who believes it to be a real treatment which in fact has no active 'ingredient', i.e. no active drug in the case of a pill or no therapeutic value in the case of an intervention
What is a Placebo?
the extent to which two researchers interpreting qualitative responses in a questionnaire (or interview) will produce the same records from the same raw data
What is Inter-Rater Reliability?
a relationship between two variables in which an increase in one accompanies a decrease in the other, i.e. higher scores on one variable correspond with lower scores on the other
What is a Negative Correlation
a confounding variable caused by an aspect of the environment, for example the amount of light or noise
What is a Situational Variable
the activities recorded in an observation. They should be operationalised (clearly defined) and should break a continuous stream of activity into discrete recordable events. They must be observable actions rather than inferred states
What are Behavioral Categories?
a way to overcome order effects in a repeated measures design. Each participant is allocated to perform in the different levels of the IV in a way that ensures they have an equal chance of participating in the different levels in any order
What is Randomization?
trying to present oneself in the best light by determining how to respond to the task in a way that would be most acceptable to other people, rather than to the researcher
What is Social Desirability Bias?
a link between two variables such that a change in one variable is responsible for (i.e. causes) the change in the other variable, such as in an experiment
What is a Casual Relationship
the loss of participants from a sample over time. This may be due to many reasons, such as losing contact, the desire to discontinue, for example though boredom, being unavailable or death
What is Sample Attrition