9990 · 3.1.2
Research methodology flashcards
Revision flashcards for Cambridge 9990 Research methodology (syllabus 3.1.2). Flip, recall, then mark a real past-paper question.
Card
IV and DV?
Independent variable — manipulated by researcher; dependent variable — measured outcome.
Card
Extraneous variable?
Any variable other than the IV that could affect the DV — controlled to protect **internal validity**.
Card
Self-report limitation in health research?
**Social desirability bias** — patients overreport adherence or underreport unhealthy behaviour.
Card
When to use chi-squared?
Test of association between two **nominal/categorical** variables — e.g. treatment group vs recovery status.
Card
Operationalisation?
Defining abstract variables in measurable terms — e.g. 'stress' measured by Perceived Stress Scale score.
Card
Ethical issue in health psychology experiments?
**Protection from harm** — inducing stress or withholding treatment; requires debriefing, informed consent, and right to withdraw.
Card
Standard Deviation
A measure of dispersion that calculates the average distance of each score from the mean. A large standard deviation indicates scores are widely spread out; a small one indicates they are clustered close to the mean.
Card
Demand Characteristics
Cues in a research setting that may reveal the aim of the study to participants, leading them to change their behaviour (e.g., by trying to please the researcher). This is a threat to internal validity.
Card
Inter-rater Reliability
The extent to which two or more observers agree on their observations. It is assessed by correlating the observers' separate recordings. A high positive correlation (e.g., +0.80 or above) indicates good reliability.
Card
Semi-structured Interview
A self-report method where the interviewer has a set of pre-prepared questions but can also ask unplanned, follow-up questions to explore interesting responses in more depth. It generates both quantitative and qualitative data.
Card
Thematic Analysis
A method for analysing qualitative data. It involves a process of reading and re-reading the data to identify, analyse, and report patterns (themes) that emerge from the text.