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| the difference in amount of information provided by the quantitative data |
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| categorical, most basic level; researchers decide on categories and count the number of instances that fall into these categories |
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| scores obtained are on numerical scales and can be put in order from highest to lowest. units of measurement are not of equal, definable size. scale used is subjective. |
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| data measured on numerical scale with precise and equal intervals of units. 'zero' does not mean 'nothing'. eg degrees in celcius or fahrenheit |
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| data measured on numerical scale with precise and equal intervals of units. there is a 'real zero' ie zero means nothing. eg time, length |
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+ data is quick and easy to collect
+ patterns can be identified
- data categories have no logical order
- can only use basic forms of analysis |
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+ able to rank or order data
- subjective
- unequal distance between units of measurement |
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| the number calculated in the experiment based on the observed data, sometimes called the calculated value or test statistic. it is compared to the critical value to assess its significance. |
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| a number found in the table of critical values for the appropriate statistical test. this is compared with the observed/calculated value in order to determine whether or not the observed value is significant. |
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| false positive - researcher falsely rejecting null hypothesis because significance level too lenient |
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| false negative - researcher falsely accepting null hypothesis because significance level too strict |
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| a precise and testable statement about the assumed relationship between two variables. it predicts that there will be a difference between the variables and is specific about how they will differ |
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| non-directional hypothesis |
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| a precise and testable statement about the assumed relationship between two variables. it predicts there will be a difference but does not specify how they will differ |
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| the assumption that there is no relationship between the variables |
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| conducted in an artificial setting which allows for high levels of control and the development of a standardised procedure. they test the relationship between an independent and dependent variable and control extraneous variables. |
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| conducted in a semi-natural environment where the researcher has control over the independent variable. extraneous variables may not be controlled and often participants are unaware they are in a study. |
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| the researcher does not manipulate variables, instead discovers by observing groups or comparing past and present data and seeing if anything has changed. |
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| a self-report method where participants are asked questions about their experiences and/or beliefs. questionnaires are a set of questions in a written form. closed questions are followed by a range of answers from which respondents can select one or more. |
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| a self-report method where participants are asked questions about their experiences and/or beliefs. questionnaires are a set of questions in a written form. open questions are those which invite the respondents to provide their own answers rather than selecting from a range of options. |
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Definition
| a self-report method where participants are asked questions about their experiences and/or beliefs. interviews are a set of questions delivered in real time. a structured interview has predetermined questions and the interviewer does not deviate from these. |
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Term
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Definition
| a self-report method where participants are asked questions about their experiences and/or beliefs. interviews are a set of questions delivered in real time. unstructured interviews start with a general aim and possibly some questions, and lets the interviewee's responses guide subsequent questions. |
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