IB Psychology Flashcards: Research Methods
IB Psychology — Research Methods Flashcard Deck
20 flashcards with spaced repetition. Press Space to flip, then rate your recall (1—4).
Key Concepts
Experimental Design: True experiments manipulate the independent variable (IV) and measure the dependent variable (DV) while controlling extraneous variables. Between-groups designs use different participants for each condition (no order effects but requires more participants). Within-subjects designs use the same participants in all conditions (reduces individual differences but requires counterbalancing to reduce order effects). Matched-pairs designs pair participants on relevant variables (age, IQ, gender) and assign one to each condition (controls for individual differences but matching is time-consuming). Natural experiments use pre-existing differences between groups (not manipulated by the researcher).
Sampling Methods: Random sampling gives every member of the population an equal chance of being selected (reduces bias but may not be representative if sample is small). Stratified sampling ensures subgroups are proportionally represented (more representative but requires population knowledge). Opportunity sampling is convenient but biased (over-represents available participants). Volunteer sampling suffers from self-selection bias (volunteers may differ from non-volunteers in motivation, personality, etc.). Quota sampling ensures specific numbers from subgroups but researcher choice introduces bias.
Reliability and Validity: Reliability is consistency of results across time (test-retest reliability — administering the same test on two occasions and correlating scores), across items (internal consistency — Cronbach’s alpha), and between observers (inter-rater reliability — percentage agreement or Cohen’s kappa). Internal validity is whether the study measures what it claims (free from confounding variables — addressed through random assignment, control groups, blind procedures). External validity is generalisability to other settings (ecological validity), times (historical validity), and populations (population validity). Face validity is whether the test appears to measure what it claims.
Ethical Guidelines: The APA and BPS ethical principles include: informed consent (participants must know what the study involves and agree to participate), right to withdraw (participants can leave at any time without penalty), confidentiality (personal data is protected), protection from harm (physical and psychological — risk-benefit analysis is required), deception (only when justified and when no alternative exists — must be followed by debriefing), and protection of vulnerable groups (children, mentally ill individuals require special procedures). These guidelines protect participants but can limit ecological validity (knowing you’re being studied changes behaviour — demand characteristics).
Intuition
Think of research methods as the quality control system for psychological knowledge. Reliability is like a weighing scale that gives the same reading every time you step on it. Validity is whether the scale is actually measuring your weight, not something else. Ethics are the safety regulations — they protect participants but sometimes make it harder to study certain topics logically. Sampling is like quality control for your sample — you need the right ingredients (representative participants) to make a valid conclusion.
Why it matters: Research methods determine the quality and trustworthiness of psychological knowledge. Without rigorous methodology, findings may be unreliable, invalid, or unethical. Understanding research methods is essential for critically evaluating psychological claims and designing your own studies.
Common Pitfalls
- Confusing reliability with validity. A study can be reliable (consistent results) but not valid (measuring the wrong thing). A bathroom scale that always reads 5 kg too heavy is reliable but not valid. Both are necessary for good research — reliability is a prerequisite for validity.
- Confusing internal and external validity. Internal validity is about whether the study’s design actually tests the hypothesis (free from confounds). External validity is about whether findings generalise to the real world. A highly controlled lab experiment may have high internal validity but low ecological validity.
- Assuming larger samples are always better. Sample size matters less than sampling method — a large biased sample is worse than a smaller representative one for generalisability. However, very small samples lack statistical power and may miss real effects.
- Forgetting about demand characteristics. When participants know they’re in a study, they may change their behaviour to match what they think the researcher expects. This threatens internal validity and is addressed through single-blind and double-blind procedures.
Cross-References
- Cognitive: Cognitive psychology relies heavily on laboratory experiments to study memory, thinking, and perception — understanding research methods is essential for evaluating cognitive research.
- Biological: Biological psychology uses brain imaging, genetic studies, and animal research — each has specific methodological considerations regarding validity, reliability, and ethics.
- Sociocultural: Sociocultural psychology often uses natural experiments and cross-cultural studies — these present unique challenges for internal validity and generalisability.
- Qualitative: Qualitative research has its own quality criteria (credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability) that complement the quantitative criteria of reliability and validity.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.