Key definitions for research methods
Word Definition
Aim A statement of what the researcher intends to find out in a
research study.
Debriefing A post-research interview designed to inform ppts of the true
nature of the study and to restore them to the state they were
in at the start of the study
Demand characteristic Occurs when participants are unconsciously aware of the
aim of the study try to present themselves in a good way.
Dependent variable The variable that is measured to tell you the outcome.
Independent variable The variable that the experimenter manipulates (changes).
Extraneous variables Variables that if not controlled may affect the DV and provide
a false impression than an IV has produced changes when it
hasn’t.
Situational extraneous variables Factors from the environment that affect results e.g.
temperature
Ppt extraneous variable Difference in ppts
Demand characteristics When ppts affect results
Investigator effect Researcher affects behaviour of ppt
External validity Whether it is possible to generalise the results beyond the
experimental setting.
Internal validity When the results of a study are due to manipulation of the IV
rather than other factors such as extraneous variables or
demand characteristics.
Informed consent Psychologists should ensure that all participants are helped
to understand fully all aspects of the research before they
agree (give consent) to take part
Operationalise Ensuring that the variables are in a form that can be easily
tested e.g. testing ‘educational attainment’ needs to be more
clear and so operationalised as ‘GCSE grade in maths’
Standardized procedure In every step of the research all the participants are treated in
exactly the same way and so all have the same experience.
Confounding variables It is an outside factor that changes the effect of a dependent
and independent variable.
E.g. a study with the aim to find out whether ppts could do
homework in front of T.V. IV= if T.V was on or not and
DV=score on memory test. BUT if ppts in the ‘TV on’
condition did test in morning and ppts in ‘TV off’ did it in
afternoon then time of day can cause change in
IV=confounding variable
Directional hypothesis A one-tailed hypothesis that states the direction of the
difference between 2 conditions/groups (e.g. boys are more
helpful than girls).
Word Definition
Aim A statement of what the researcher intends to find out in a
research study.
Debriefing A post-research interview designed to inform ppts of the true
nature of the study and to restore them to the state they were
in at the start of the study
Demand characteristic Occurs when participants are unconsciously aware of the
aim of the study try to present themselves in a good way.
Dependent variable The variable that is measured to tell you the outcome.
Independent variable The variable that the experimenter manipulates (changes).
Extraneous variables Variables that if not controlled may affect the DV and provide
a false impression than an IV has produced changes when it
hasn’t.
Situational extraneous variables Factors from the environment that affect results e.g.
temperature
Ppt extraneous variable Difference in ppts
Demand characteristics When ppts affect results
Investigator effect Researcher affects behaviour of ppt
External validity Whether it is possible to generalise the results beyond the
experimental setting.
Internal validity When the results of a study are due to manipulation of the IV
rather than other factors such as extraneous variables or
demand characteristics.
Informed consent Psychologists should ensure that all participants are helped
to understand fully all aspects of the research before they
agree (give consent) to take part
Operationalise Ensuring that the variables are in a form that can be easily
tested e.g. testing ‘educational attainment’ needs to be more
clear and so operationalised as ‘GCSE grade in maths’
Standardized procedure In every step of the research all the participants are treated in
exactly the same way and so all have the same experience.
Confounding variables It is an outside factor that changes the effect of a dependent
and independent variable.
E.g. a study with the aim to find out whether ppts could do
homework in front of T.V. IV= if T.V was on or not and
DV=score on memory test. BUT if ppts in the ‘TV on’
condition did test in morning and ppts in ‘TV off’ did it in
afternoon then time of day can cause change in
IV=confounding variable
Directional hypothesis A one-tailed hypothesis that states the direction of the
difference between 2 conditions/groups (e.g. boys are more
helpful than girls).
